DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (70/09) issued by
COI News Distribution Service on 27 March 2009
A consultation on
the seed certification rates for 2009/10 has been published today.
Defra is seeking the views of all applicants for seed
certification in England and Wales on the proposed five per cent
increase in seed certification fees. Revised fee rates would then
be implemented from 6 July 2009.
Seed certification ensures that farmers and growers receive seed
that is sufficiently pure, healthy, viable and correctly packed,
sealed and labelled. Certification fees are used to fund the
enforcement and administration of the seed certification system.
Without an increase in fees, Defra would no longer be able to
operate the system at its current level, which could lead to a
reduction in the standard of seed marketed in the UK and
ultimately impact on farmers.
The five per cent increase will ensure Defra fulfils its
legislative duty to recover all seed certification costs after a
shortfall in revenue in the 2007/2008 financial year.
The revenue shortfall occurred because the government absorbed,
through the new simplified fees structure, the large fluctuation
in global commodity prices, which included seeds, in 2007/08 -
this increase will affect 100 seed companies and will restore the balance.
To access the consultation please visit http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/seed-cert/index.htm
The consultation runs until 19 June.
Public enquiries 08459 335577;
Press notices are available on
our website
http://www.defra.gov.uk
Defra's aim is sustainable development
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