Misunderstanding of new European rules on glucosinolate levels could mean that growers may miss out on the opportunity to farm-save their oilseed rape seed, say mobile seed processors.

Many farmers still fail to understand that restrictions agreed by the Federation of European Oil and Protein Processors (FEDIOL) in July 2009 will continue to allow the use of farm-saved seed after the 2013 harvest and beyond, provided that it was grown from certified seed of a variety with glucosinolate levels below 18 micromoles, says Charles Roberts of Lutterworth-based mobile CYO Seeds (Midlands), chairman of the National Association of Agricultural Contractors mobile seed processing section.

“Customers who we are talking to in the run-up to this year’s campaign still seem to be unclear about the fact that farm-saving of seed is permitted under the FEDIOL rules, said Mr Roberts.

“Even though the restrictions will not apply until deliveries of rapeseed to the crushers from the 2013 harvest, it is now only a matter of weeks before farmers will be drilling the crop from which they will want to save the seed for that harvest. It is essential that they are clear that saving of seed for one generation is still permissible before they make their decisions for drilling this autumn,” said Mr Roberts.

He blamed the uncertainty on inaccurate reporting of FEDIOL’s decision.

“Last year we saw headlines which said that it was the end of the road for farm saving of oilseed rape. Some of our customers still believe this, but it’s simply not true. Farm-saved rape seed is used by around 60% of UK growers, and it must be made clear to them that they can continue to enjoy the savings and benefits of farm-saved seed long into the future,” he commented.

FEDIOL has confirmed that farmers may continue to save their own seed provided that it is grown from certified seed of a variety tested at below 18 micromoles of glucosinlolate at the time of registration. Farmers are advised to retain the certification label of the seed from which any farm-saved seed is produced, plus the corresponding invoice giving the time and volume of the delivered certified seed.

Mobile seed processors plan to mailshot their customers to ensure that the new rules are not misunderstood.