UNEP-WCMC Policy Perspective (PLANET4B project brief)
This policy brief, produced by UNEP-WCMC in collaboration with the Environmental Social Science Research Group under the PLANET4B project, analyses how EU seed policy can better support seed diversity and resilient agriculture. It focuses on the proposed Plant Reproductive Material Regulation (PRM, COM(2023)414) and related EU instruments (CAP, Organic Regulation) and outlines core challenges where current rules favour uniform commercial varieties and exclude conservation, farmer-bred and community-saved seed. The brief synthesises literature review, expert interviews, workshops and policy analysis (with empirical work focused on Hungary) to present six interconnected policy options: (1) enable proportionate seed rules (eg. exempt conservation/non-commercial and allow small-quantity local sales without catalogue listing; consider a nano-enterprise threshold such as < EUR 100,000 annual revenue); (2) recognise and protect grassroots custodians and farmers’ rights, including flexible quality standards and checks to protect traditional knowledge; (3) strengthen collaboration between formal and informal seed systems through participatory research and fair compensation; (4) redirect CAP and research funding to support participatory breeding, on-farm dynamic management and community seed banks, including result-based payments and conservation contracts; (5) foster systems of care and farmer autonomy via PRM routes for small operators and CAP measures supporting community-based approaches; and (6) support interoperable, multilingual knowledge platforms and regional seed networks, and accept platform records as proportionate evidence in PRM processes. The brief argues these measures would align seed policy with biodiversity and climate objectives, preserve agricultural heritage and enhance resilience across EU food systems.
Key topics: PRM, EU seed policy, agrobiodiversity, community seed banks, farmers’ rights, CAP, participatory breeding, knowledge platforms
