The European Commission and Defra have agreed to continue allowing forage seed mixes containing a percentage of non-organic seed to be used without losing organic certification or necessitating contacting a certification officer.

Defra confirmed on Monday that the minimum organic content in grass seed mix will remain at 65 per cent, without the need for seed derogation or seeking permission prior to use. The current legislation will remain in effect until 31st December next year.

From 1st January 2014, minimum organic content is expected to rise to 70 per cent, subject to seed availability. However, it remains forbidden to use the same variety of seed in both organic and non-organic forms in the same mix.

The Soil Association welcomed the news, but reminded farmers that, for any seed mixes containing less than 65 per cent organic material, growers can be granted a derogation if they can prove the seed is not available organically.

A Soil Association spokesperson said, “This allowance is good news as it means that farmers do not need to check the organic availability of all the different seed varieties within a forage mix or submit the data to us before they use the mixes.  This saves time and resources for farmers and us as a certification body.”

The organic organisation, which has sought to share information and develop closer working relations with conventional farmers for mutual benefit, also said there is potential to include high performing varieties in seed mixes that may not be available currently as organic and for reducing input costs for growers.

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