[Growster...]

Yer on Devon!

New post as we speak!!

[grendel]

Actually, I've just woken up...

How about 'The Veg Preservation Society'!

Simple; and well understood by all Michael Caine observers, and also remembering Noel Coward as well...:0]

Gwan, you know it makes sense!

New Post? Or shall we stay here?

just need 3 old style minis now...

[Growster...]

Grenders, we've already started on one!

[Ralphy]

There's also an Avaaz petition here http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/We_dont_accept_this_Let_us_keep_our_seeds_EU/?kwnRFeb

[Azazello]

Absolutely appalling idea!

Signed the petition - and sent a couple of emails to UKIP and the Telegraph too.

[Growster...]

Disgraceful isn't it!

Just signed!

[Azazello]

I emailed RealSeeds and they told me that;

Re. the seed laws, we'll update information on our website tonight, but the current situation this afternoon is that - as of the draft with the Council now - seed swaps have definitely been exempted, and there are more exemptions for small scale production for 'niche markets'.    We do need to remain vigilant - the law is still in no ways ideal - and it may change again as it progresses through the system, but right now  it is no-where near as bad as it was!

You can find updates on:  http://www.realseeds.co.uk/seedlaw.html, but as I say, things have moved on from this morning's press release, due entirely to the fantastic lobbying efforts of thousands of gardeners across the EU,

So, a good result, tentatively perhaps, but the position is less bleak than it looked on Sunday.

[Springlands]

Just shows what lobbying can do. 

[surbie100]

Thanks for posting that Azazello. 

[polly nator]

I wondered what old "MOTHER NATURE" thought about this loony law. I dont suppose for one minute that she plans to comply with the new regs.

[GreyScales]

Good to see things starting to go in a better direction.

The EU seems to mess up everything it touches, god knows what they'd do to generations of seed saving...

[surbie100]

NSALG reply to my email, sent at the beginning of this thread:

Thank you for the information, just to let you know we did have details on our website and on behalf of our Chairman Allan Rees, a letter was sent via email requesting a NO VOTE to the UK Commissioner Catherine Ashton.

I have enclosed information that we have received back from the EU. The position after the new Regulations were made public on Monday 6th May by the EU is that the Directive will be restricted to commercial growers and home gardeners will still be permitted to save and swap unapproved seed.  Individuals and small organisations will also be able to grow and sell unapproved vegetable seed as long as they have less than 10 employees and an annual turnover of less than 2m Euros.  This new Regulation also exempts local heritage networks such as Garden Organics’  Heritage Seed library and allows seed exchange between individuals and groups.  It does look as though these regulations identify the need for a more relaxed regulation requirement for heritage and conservation variety of seeds.

We do now need to be vigilant for the future and try to ensure that no further changes are made to the Directive and that the right to freely swap seeds remains enshrined in law for future generations.

[New shoot]

Great news     Thanks for posting that Surbie  That means RealSeeds and the other small suppliers I buy heritage and unusual seeds are safe for now 

Also means we can all indulge in our winter seed buying addictions and seed swapsie fests in peace.  Thought we were going to have to go all undercover and develop a code at one point   

[Growster...]

Marvellous, Surbie! Well done on getting that one straightened out!

Just imagine all those non-gardeners in grey trousers, filling in little forms in triplicate, discussing things they don't understand, talking a language they also don't understand, and deciding that some people can grow seeds, but others can't! Pathetic!

Er - 'taxes' and 'waste' come to mind here...

Also big business creeps in, but never mind, we're safe here!

[mumofstig]

never mind, we're safe here!

for now! Just shows how they'd like to control our whole lives though, doesn't it?