WHAT IS SEED CERTIFICATION?

ABIGAIL EWEN
 INTRODUCTION
• A quality assurance system

• Bag contains what it says on the label

• Main aim is to supply high quality seed

• Seed should be:

• True to identity

• High in purity

• High germination capacity

• Free from pests and diseases

 SEED CATEGORIES
• Standards depend on 'category'

• Breeder material is used for reproduction

• This is not produced under official control

• All subsequent generations are under

strict control

• Pre-Basic and Basic

• Certified (CS/C1/C2/C3)

• Commercial seed (Grass)

• Standard seed (Veg)

 COLLABORATION

INSPECTORS/ SEED SEED

LEGISLATORS CERT GROWERS
PHASES OF SEED CERTIFICATION
1. Verification of seed source and field

2. Inspection of seed crop in the field

3. Supervision at post-harvest stages

4. Seed sampling and analysis

5. Grant of certificate, certification tag,

tables and sealing
REQUIREMENTS AT SOWING
• No infestation of Wild Oat

• Seed drills cleaned before

• The variety on the seed label should be

noted before

• Retention of labels for future inspection

 CROP INSPECTION
• Confirm the crop entry details

• Authenticate the seed sown

• Positively identify the variety

• Detec admixture

• Assess Wild Oat contamination

• Check isolation requirements

• Assess the general condition

• Assess spray damage, weeds and disease

• Assess the amount of lodging

 SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS
• Seed that passes the field-inspection

• Harvested and cleaned

• An authorised seed sampler seals and

labels the seed lot

• All seed testing takes place at accredited

laboratories

• They send their results directly to the

regulating authorities

• If the sample fails the lot cannot be

certified
 LABELLING
Each label shows the following information:

• Name of licensing authority

• Country of origin of seed

• Category of seed

• Name of species in English and botanical

name

• Name of variety

• Weight of seed in container

• Lot Number

• Date of container closing (e.g. Nov 2006)

 BREXIT
• EU Seeds Directives and Regulations

• Allows free movement of certified seed

• EU standards are aligned to OECD

• Depend critically on wider negotiations

• UK seeds marketing legislation is already broadly

equivalent to EU standards

• Advocation of no significant changes to the current

system

• Issues:

• Recognition of marketing standards

• Free movement of seed

• Keeping up with standards

• GMO
IMPORTANCE OF CERTIFIED SEED
• Clean seed

• Viable seed

• Varietal purity

• Traceability

• Access to premium markets

THANK YOU