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In the light of the drilling and establishment problems, a surge on demand for spring seed is inevitable. Many varieties are out of stock and many of those remaining are very dear. There are apparently several farmers who are looking to access seed from other nearby farmers to establish a spring crop.  As a result, the British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB) in association with the AIC has published a Q&A document to remind farmers of the rules of seed sales. In summary;

• Any transfer of ownership of farm-saved seed is against the law, whether gifted for free, bartered or charged for. 
• However surplus farm-saved seed with FSS royalty already paid canbe carried over to the next planting year without paying additional royalties, or if royalties have not already been paid these will become payable on sowing in the next planting year.
• Farm-saved seed is not able to be certified for sale or transfer retrospectively, it must be inspected whilst growing by a licensed crop inspector and comply with all legal standards.
• With the bad start to the growing season, crops may not have established, in this case if farm-saved seed was used it must still be declared and Royalty payment made for the seed used. 

Seed certification is designed to assure high quality seed.  Prosecution cases, by DEFRA, involving the marketing of uncertified seed have occurred in the last two years.  Farm-saved seed declarations can be completed online using the BSPB website.  To download the Q&A visit http://www.bspb.co.uk/newsarticle_2013_FSS_Questions.html. Payment rates and qualifying varieties can also be found at www.bspb.co.uk.