The Agriculture Ministry on Monday reported that the draft legislation on production and marketing of plant reproductive material was not introducing any significant amendments to valid EU regulations, thus responding to fears of Croatian environmentalists regarding the future of heirloom seeds.
The ministry issued a press release today in which it notes that there is no reason to disturb the public with information that the future legislation would prevent sowing or exchange of heirloom seeds for one's own use or for noncommercial production.
The ministry goes on to say that it is monitoring the activities relating to the draft which the European Commission forwarded into the European Parliament and that as an observer country Croatia has insight into the text of the draft directive and once Croatia joins the European Union, it will be able to participate in decision-making processes just like any other member state.
The new directive is not expected to be released in the next two years, the ministry adds.
Public opinion seems to be that heirloom seeds will no longer be allowed (old, traditional plant seeds) for personal use and the ministry underscored that it was necessary to differentiate between the production of reproductive material intended for the wider market from the production and use of heirloom seeds for private purposes.
Croatia has a long tradition of producing reproductive material which is regulated the same way as in other EU member state.
Compulsory supervision over the production of reproductive materials regarding health standards and sorts is a guarantee for consumers that they are purchasing healthy seeds as declared on packaging, the ministry's press release says.
The ministry notes that the exchange of seeds is permitted but for commercial marketing it is necessary to register the sort of seed and note whether it is standard or protected.
Procedures to register protected (or heirloom) sorts has been simplified, however, despite constant informing by the ministry, only five sorts have been registered to date.
Another seven are currently in procedure, the ministry says and urged farmers to register heirloom seeds.
Those sorts found on the list on July 1 will be allowed to be sold all over the European Union once Croatia joins the bloc.
Any dilemma over possible implications resulting from the new directive will be cleared up through discussion between the ministry and relevant experts, associations and interested producers through regular activities organised by the ministry, the press release concludes.
