The NFU has warned organic producers to check the provenance of winter wheat seeds when buying from unfamiliar sources.

The union’s warning comes at a time when many organic producers are finding sourcing seed for autumn planting difficult; following this year’s wash out weather, there has been a problem with disease (particularly fusarium, with an estimated 97 per cent of the UK wheat crop showing some signs of the fungus) and as a result organic wheat seed is currently scarce.

NFU said this is likely to result in producers purchasing seed from unfamiliar suppliers and said it is therefore vital they ask for detailed information on the seed they are purchasing, including a disease profile, to enable them to make the best possible decisions.

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