London, United Kingdom
March 27, 2009
A consultation on the seed
certification rates for 2009/10 has been published today.
Defra is seeking the views
of all applicants for seed certification in England and Wales on
the proposed five per cent increase in seed certification fees.
Revised fee rates would then be implemented from 6 July 2009.
Seed certification ensures that farmers and growers receive seed
that is sufficiently pure, healthy, viable and correctly packed,
sealed and labelled. Certification fees are used to fund the
enforcement and administration of the seed certification system.
Without an increase in fees, Defra would no longer be able to
operate the system at its current level, which could lead to a
reduction in the standard of seed marketed in the UK and
ultimately impact on farmers.
The five per cent increase will ensure Defra fulfils its
legislative duty to recover all seed certification costs after a
shortfall in revenue in the 2007/2008 financial year.
The revenue shortfall occurred because the government absorbed,
through the new simplified fees structure, the large fluctuation
in global commodity prices, which included seeds, in 2007/08 -
this increase will affect 100 seed companies and will restore
the balance.
To access the consultation please visit
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/seed-cert/index.htm
The consultation runs until 19 June.
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The purpose of the consultation is to invite views
on the proposal to increase seed certification fees
for crop and seed lot certification entries and the
Annual Licence for Licensed Seed Testing Stations.
The consultation
applies in England and Wales. The Welsh Assembly
Government has given Defra*
authority to act on its behalf.
Seed certification
is regulated by five Seed Marketing regulations
covering Beet, Cereals, Fodder Plants, Oil and
Fibre Plants and Vegetable seed.
Deadline for
receipt of consultation comments is 19 June
2009.
Further
information
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