The European Commission has welcomed the provisional political agreement reached between the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament on the
revision of EU legislation governing plant reproductive material (PRM). The agreement represents a significant modernisation of the regulatory framework, aiming to simplify existing rules while fostering innovation, digitalisation and sustainability across the sector.
The revised legislation consolidates multiple existing directives into a single Regulation, enhancing legal clarity and consistency for both operators and public authorities. By streamlining the regulatory environment, the reform is expected to reduce administrative complexity and facilitate the uptake of new technologies throughout the PRM sector.
Plant reproductive material—including seeds and other propagating materials used to produce new plants—forms the foundation of agricultural production. Access to high-quality and resilient plant varieties is essential for ensuring food security, increasing productivity and strengthening resistance to pests, diseases and climate-related challenges. The updated rules seek to ensure that European farmers and producers have access to plant material capable of meeting evolving agricultural needs.
The new Regulation maintains the existing framework for placing plant reproductive material on the market, including the assessment and registration of new varieties and certification systems that guarantee quality standards. At the same time, it introduces targeted derogations designed to facilitate market access for a wider range of producers and increase the availability of diverse plant materials. These measures are particularly relevant for non-professional users, conservation initiatives and the development of varieties tailored to local conditions.
Once fully adopted and implemented, the revised framework is expected to deliver several key benefits:
Enhancing quality and competitiveness: Ensuring the availability of high-quality plant reproductive material will strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of the European agricultural sector.
Stimulating innovation and investment: The Regulation supports the adoption of advanced breeding techniques and digital solutions, promoting a more future-oriented and innovative PRM sector.
Improving regulatory oversight: Harmonised and risk-based official controls will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of quality assurance systems across the EU.
Safeguarding genetic diversity: Increased access to genetically diverse plant material will contribute to the conservation of plant genetic resources and improve the long-term resilience of agricultural systems.
Background
The EU’s regulatory framework for plant reproductive material dates back to the 1960s and currently consists of several sector-specific directives covering different categories of seeds and propagating materials. On 5 July 2023, the European Commission proposed a new Regulation on the production and marketing of plant reproductive material with the objective of replacing and consolidating existing legislation governing cereals, beet seed, fodder plants, oil and fibre crops, fruit plants, vine propagation material, seed potatoes, vegetable seeds and vegetable propagating materials.
The political agreement reached today marks an important step towards establishing a more coherent, innovation-driven and sustainable regulatory framework for plant reproductive material in the European Union.