EU seed regulations

[ken]

Apologies to all if this has been discussed before, but I've just been alerted to some disastrous-sounding draft EU legislation on seeds. There's a very good report on what is happening on the Real Seed Company website (http://www.realseeds.co.uk/seedlaw2.html). It sounds as though there have been a lot of protests from concerned gardeners, and it is possible that the battle is almost won. Even so, I urge everyone to read what is proposed - as in, every variety would need to be registered and tested every year at considerable expense, meaning that lots of varieties not used in agriculture would no longer be economical. The website helpfully gives contact details for MEPs, should you wish to write, as I have just done. Oh, and a very belated Happy New Year/Happy Chinese New Year to everyone!

[Primrose]

I feel depressed when I read stories like this because it just shows how all- encompassing and overwhelming our membership of the EU has become and the complete madness of the often pointless and negative legislation that threatens to engulf us all. I sadly confess that over the years I have been worn down by trying to protest against the pointlessness of it all which is exactly what the Eurocrats want. The sooner we are OUT the better, as fas as I am concerned. I am just angry that all those years ago in Ted Heath's era I voted for the Keep Britain. In Europe campaign thinking we would merely be signing up for the Uk to join a free market trading zone. How the politicians have failed us !

By the way, where is Johnboy when we need him for his contributions on such topics? He always had a very definitive views on issues like this and his contributions are sorely missed. Does anybody have any news of him?

[robo]

What really annoys me is, the gravy train that is keeping all the euro m.ps. in the life of luxury while thinking all these insane things up I was all for europe at one time, even though I own a bit of property in spain and coming out of the eec would be detrimental to me I think I would vote for it

[Motherwoman]

I can remember voting in the referendum for a European Common Market, all about trading together, I don't know when it slipped and slid into being a European Union, I certainly don't remember voting on it. It seems to me that they MEPs search around until they find something that doesn't need legislating and then they legislate it. Money for old rope, jobs for the boys, you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours all come to mind.

We're all in this together aparently but some of us seem to be in a little deeper than others...

[peter]

Lobbyists are the problem, vested commercial interests push for something that gives them a commercial advantage.MEPs thimk they're important cos of the attention and that they're doing good things.

[ken]

I don't think I agree with everyone here. It's true that the big companies seem to have lobbied for these regulations with the bureaucrats in Brussels, who, I suspect, don't understand the situation. But for the rules to be introduced, they have to be passed into law by the European Parliament. So far as I can see, the MEPs have received a lot of protests from gardeners, and it looks as though they may throw out this daft plan. But that's why I think it I important to email your MEP. The link I provided at the start not only sets out the situation very well, but provides an email link to the relevant MEP for your region - so why not contact them?

[Shallot Man]

ken. My impression of MEP's are they are just there as a rubber stamp. Anything they knock back, is reintroduced with some words altered and is then passed.

[Chantal]

I've just seen this on Twitter

Seeds of Italy-Paolo ‏@FranchiSeedsUK

Great news - the proposed reproductive materials law has been rejected by the EC Agricultural Committee! Franchi/SOI have lobbied against it.

[ken]

That is good news, as it means the proposals have been rejected by both the agricultural committee and the environment committee. However, I would urge everyone to keep an eye on this situation and be ready to campaign if necessary. As I understand it, the environment committee unanimously rejected the proposals as they stood, suggesting a mass of often contradictory amendments, and sent the proposed legislation beck for complete redrafting. So the threat hasn't necessarily gone away...

[Shallot Man]

On a slightly different subject. It was mentioned on the box that one of the reasons why dredging had not been carried out on the Somerset Planes, was because that Mafia in Brussels had decreed the dredging s would be classed as decontaminated and would have to be disposed at £7 per ton. Instead of going onto fields. But non of the Newspapers seem to have picked it up.

[Geoff]

I'd read that - no wonder the ancient Egyptians died out, fancy trying to establish a civilisation based on silt, mind they lasted a bit longer than us!
Here's the real reason for the problems??????????
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... protection