08/08/2024
Border issues cause problems for crucial oilseed rape trials and must be improved
Breeders face no shortage of difficulties when importing or exporting seed, whether that’s for research or cropping purposes. However, new rules which came into effect during April are now causing the uncertainty and delays which the BSPB and our members have feared. the latest to be affected are crucial imports of oilseed rape seed for the imminent official trials of new varieties.
New procedures: delays and uncertainty
As part of the Border Target Operating Model, since 30th of April this year, some seed entering the UK is regarded as ‘high-risk’ and faces inspections and delays at a border control point (BCP). That seed cannot be released for transport to its destination until the results of any inspections are known and clearance has been granted. This is especially problematic for some seed, whether that’s high-value and perishable seed like tomatoes, or seed which requires a rapid turnaround from harvest to sowing like oilseed rape (OSR).
The BSPB has previously asked Defra to review the arrangements, and in particular the need for seed to be held at the boarder pending the result of any tests – this could take many days or weeks for some varieties. The new procedures also add extra layers of complexity to seed movements, and just one example of this is how our members are having to check facilities and capacity at each port prior to importing seeds. All this adds cost and reduces the ability of growers and supply chains to react to their markets. It also adds uncertainty, especially in the case of the conditions the seed will be held in, and those conditions can be crucial for subsequent good germination. Until last April, for the last three years since Brexit, seed has been able to be inspected but moved to the point of destination to be held pending results. The move away from this alone has profound implications for the plant breeding and seed sector already dealing with many Brexit related difficulties.
Oilseed Rape Trials for new varieties jeopardised
In the latest example it’s new varieties of OSR which are being affected. The deadline for seeds to be ready for the official oilseed rape DUS and VCU trials this year is 10th August. However, consignments of seed coming from the EU have been held and delayed at UK boarder control posts (BCPs) and at the moment we don’t know if the seed will get to the site in time. Those official trials ensure new varieties are distinct, uniform, and stable as well as providing reassurance to growers about their value for cultivation. The trials are essential for growers to be able to access the latest and best varieties, because unless a new variety passes DUS and VCU, it cannot be marketed.
What it means for breeders, growers, and supply chains
If a variety misses the deadline, it could delay it reaching the market by a year, but it also causes problems for the wider operation of the trials. The last thing this country needs is for more breeders to decide moving seed to the UK to too much trouble – we hear examples of this happening, and UK farmers, growers, and supply chains are missing out on the latest genetic innovation. OSR is a crop already under pressure, and there are some worrying forecasts about how much might be grown next year – trade barriers shouldn’t compound that.
For readers unfamiliar with OSR, trade barriers have the potential to have a greater impact because there is such a short window for harvesting, processing, moving the seed, and getting the seed ready for sowing. OSR in for seed production in Western Europe is largely harvested during July (and potentially into August in years like we’ve just had) but it needs to be sown quickly for a range of reasons, including good integrated pest management of the cabbage stem flea beetle risk. There has been no seed ready to import until the last few days.
With the deadline for trials rapidly approaching, this is proving very frustrating and potentially costly for plant breeders who are already facing a number of additional bureaucratic barriers to innovation and crop development in the UK. We are grateful that officials are looking into the delays and trying to help with the immediate problems, but it’s concerning for those affected, and we need a better policy solution. We are also seeing these problems at a time when there are relatively few seed movements, but that will change dramatically later this year ahead of the main winter and spring planting.
Other crops are also affected
The changes at the border also affect other arable and horticultural crops including beans, maize, linseed, peppers, and tomatoes. The BSPB has been calling for Defra to change the way the processes work since they were announced in March of this year, otherwise UK supply chains operating in competitive markets will continue to be disadvantaged and face higher costs.
The seed sector is truly global, and we all benefit from sharing the newest varieties, spreading varieties around to test resilience or performance in different climates, or by speeding up breeding and research by utilising seasons in the Southern Hemisphere. Biosecurity is also important, but it shouldn’t be designed in a way that’s commercially damaging for UK businesses.
Solutions?
As a starting point, the movement of seed for research and cropping needs to be simplified, and where appropriate, risk-based testing is required, the seed should be allowed to continue to the point of destination and held until cleared for release. At a time when The Government is looking for ways to increase growth, without action on seed movements, investment in UK plant breeding will also continue to suffer.
anthony.hopkins@bspb.co.uk
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