The organic seed available: what does it mean?

摘要

After January 1, 2004, organic growers in Europe will be required to use organic seed as opposed to conventionally produced, non-treated seed. In very limited cases (when organic seed of a certain species is unavailable), they may be exempted from the use of organic seed prior to January 1, 2004. [EU Regulation 2092/91: (a) By way of derogation from paragraph 1 (c), seeds and vegetative propagating material not obtained by the organic production method may, during a transitional period expiring on[15] 31 December 2003 [15] and with the approval of the competent authority of the Member State, be used in so far as users of such propagating material can show to the satisfaction of the inspection body or authority of the Member State that they were unable to obtain on the market propagating material for an appropriate variety of the species in question and satisfying the requirements of paragraph 2. In that case. propagating material which is not treated with products not listed in Annex II, SectionB must be used, if available on the Community market. Member States shall inform the other Member States and the Commission of any authorization granted under this paragraph.]