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Ireland cannot change the minimum standards for seed marketed in Ireland or restrict the importation of seed from other EU member states, a Department of Agriculture spokesperson has told the Irish Farmers Journal.
Last week an Irish Farmers Journal investigation revealed that some cover crop seed mixes were found to contain blackgrass, wild oats and brome.
Since that time a number of farmers have been in touch to say that they suspected seed on their farms contained grass weeds. Some had planted the seed and some had not.
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“The EU Seed Directives sets minimum standards of purity for seed including tolerances for the content of other seed species within certified seed,” the Department spokesperson said.
“Ireland as a member of the EU, cannot unilaterally change the minimum purity standards for seed marketed within Ireland, restrict the importation of seed produced in another EU member state or interfere with the free movement of seed within the EU.”
Comment
The statement from the Department means that, despite the major biosecurity risk posed by grass weeds, for which there is zero-tolerance here in Ireland, we cannot stop their importation. We should be lobbying for change. If a weed is declared noxious, it is a threat to agriculture and so should not be freely imported and planted in this country. We need to protect our industry. It is up to farmers now to question their seed supplier and ensure they choose higher voluntary standard seed, which tests for grass weeds for their farms.
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Ireland cannot change the minimum standards for seed marketed in Ireland or restrict the importation of seed from other EU member states, a Department of Agriculture spokesperson has told the Irish Farmers Journal.
Last week an Irish Farmers Journal investigation revealed that some cover crop seed mixes were found to contain blackgrass, wild oats and brome.
Since that time a number of farmers have been in touch to say that they suspected seed on their farms contained grass weeds. Some had planted the seed and some had not.
“The EU Seed Directives sets minimum standards of purity for seed including tolerances for the content of other seed species within certified seed,” the Department spokesperson said.
“Ireland as a member of the EU, cannot unilaterally change the minimum purity standards for seed marketed within Ireland, restrict the importation of seed produced in another EU member state or interfere with the free movement of seed within the EU.”
Comment
The statement from the Department means that, despite the major biosecurity risk posed by grass weeds, for which there is zero-tolerance here in Ireland, we cannot stop their importation. We should be lobbying for change. If a weed is declared noxious, it is a threat to agriculture and so should not be freely imported and planted in this country. We need to protect our industry. It is up to farmers now to question their seed supplier and ensure they choose higher voluntary standard seed, which tests for grass weeds for their farms.
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