OSRsaver saving
OSRsaver saving
OILSEED rape growers using farm-saved seed (FSS) will not have to go to the expense of testing it for glucosinolate levels in future.
But the change in regulations does not come in until after harvest 2002. So seed sown this spring must still be tested and results submitted to DEFRA with IACS forms in May.
Rural Affairs secretary Margaret Beckett confirmed the European Commission ruling at last weeks National Farmers Union AGM.
"This is a redundant piece of red tape that costs farmers £1m/year," she said. "I am delighted that the UKs request for it to be abolished was agreed."
Under the AAPS rules, oilseed growers using FSS had to ensure the glucosinolate level of the seed was below 20 micromoles/g, the agreed threshold to make the crushed residue suitable for animal feed.
But NFU oilseeds committee chairman Rad Thomas argued the test was no longer necessary and had campaigned to have the requirement dropped.
"It is a hang over from the old days when glucosinolate levels were higher in single-low varieties. But double-low varieties came in 12 years ago so weve been pressing government that the legislation is no longer needed."
The regulation change only covers FSS harvested this year onwards. "This is because the seed used for this year, even if planted this spring, would have been saved last harvest, before the regulations changed," said a DEFRA official.
To qualify for payments under AAPS, farm-saved rapeseed must still be harvested from certified seed of a double-zero variety grown on the same holding, he added.
The change, set to save DEFRA £20,000/year in monitoring costs, will not affect any royalty payments due to breeders. *