EU: Production and movement of seed under coronavirus restrictions

The European Commission clarified that the production and transport of agricultural inputs such as plant reproductive material is included in the list of essential goods and services to which the so-called “green lane” procedures at borders shall be applied.

The Commission’s Director General for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, Mrs Anne Bucher, also issued a specific letter outlining the importance of seed for the functionality of the food chain, calling upon Member States to facilitate and expedite production and movement also under the current extraordinary conditions. Meanwhile, further measures have been taken facilitating official controls and defining seasonal foreign workers as essential for the agri-food chain to allow for their movement from and to different EU Member States.

All respective documents can be found and downloaded below to help individual companies in discussions with national and local authorities.

Euroseeds expresses its-sincere gratitude to the European Commission and specifically to Director General Anne Bucher and the entire seed team in DG SANTE for their strong support!

Commission Communication on the implementation of Green Lanes

Letter from DG SANTE regarding the smooth transport of seed and other plant reproductive material to ensure seed and food security

Commission Guidance on free movement of workers (including seasonal workers) during COVID-19 outbreak