Specific regulations
An organized sector and specific regulations supervise and guide seed production not only
serving professional productions but also serving amateur gardeners.
1. Specific regulations: seed quality and user protection
Seed production has its own regulations, different from consumer production (market gardening, fruit, cereal crops, etc.). The aim of these regulations is to guarantee users, both professionals and individuals, quality seeds. Indeed, seeds are the basis of many agricultural and agri-food activities.
This regulation, implemented within the European Union, is implemented in each country. In France, it is managed by the GNIS (National Interprofessional Group for Seeds and Plants). Seeds must comply with the following standards:
- varietal quality (only one variety must be present in the batch)
- of specific quality (the seed must be clean and weed-free)
- germination quality (the seed must be able to germinate under ideal conditions)
Measures are taken, from the field to bagging, and checks are carried out to verify the involvement and compliance with these quality standards by all stakeholders in the sector.
2. Field regulations.
Although it may appear classic, a seed production field complies with very specific regulations that differentiate it from consumer crops.
Seed crops must meet isolation standards to prevent crossbreeding between varieties. That is, a seed plot must not be too close to another plot of the same species. The distances that must separate them vary; peas must be separated by at least 100 meters from another pea plot, while beets must be isolated by at least 2,000 meters! Mapping these plots allows for the organization of production on a national scale.
The seed-producing farmer must ensure a clean field: weeds must be virtually absent to facilitate seed sorting. "Off-type" plants, meaning those that are not of the correct variety, are eliminated to ensure that only seeds of the expected variety are obtained. Collaboration with town halls and local authorities allows for monitoring of the areas around seed production plots.
3. Post-harvest regulation: seed certification
Once the seed is harvested, it is dried, cleaned, and sorted. It is then analyzed to verify its quality. Finally, tests are carried out to ensure that it is free of certain viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
Sorting removes impurities from the batch, as well as weed seeds. The specific purity (seeds without waste or seeds of other species) must therefore be greater than 90% (varies depending on the species: 98% for beans). After this test, the good germination of the batch is verified: the carrot must germinate at least 80%, the tomato at 85%.
These checks are carried out before bagging and at distributors. These various tests ensure the user receives a good quality batch.
This regulation involves the entire seed industry, from production to marketing. This commitment from the industry confirms the desire to produce seeds of satisfactory quality for both individual users and us, professionals.
