Is it true that heirloom seeds will soon be banned in Europe?

[GoVegan]

I keep seeing news articles about the EU trying to ban heirloom seeds in Europe and that any seeds sold must be registered with the government. These articles are not hard to find just google "heirloom seed Ban" but most of the articles seem to be coming from news sources that are questionable. Is there any truth to this ban?

[Klimt]

I read about it, but it's only an article. In some countries it's possible, but not in all europe. There is no one rule for UE, for example marijuana - not everywhere is unlegal

[squeezyjohn]

Don't you believe it!

The EU really have a thing about seeds and registration - it stems from the agricultural beginnings of the EU as a way of guaranteeing food security ... but it has snowballed in to a scary place to be where non-registered seeds can be banned from sale - and old heirloom varieties are not protected. Their defence is that you can register any seed strain - but it costs money (1000 EUR or something like that) - and to do that for every random heirloom strain is financial suicide in most cases as the whole point of heirloom seeds is that there are loads of different ones ensuring diversity of the gene pool. It is not a coincidence that the big commercial seed companies closely lobby the EU politicians at every step.

It is a very real problem and the only way you can get around it is by growing what you want and saving your own seeds. I buy mine from www.realseeds.co.uk who openly flout the current regulations and fight their tightening - the UK government seems to be on their side for the time being and allows this to continue ... their site links to petitions to sign and they are worth signing.

[GoVegan]

Good information squeezyjohn and a bit scary. It seems like GMO crops are taking over the USA and I think seed registration will be the next step. The lobbyists just need to find a way to make it sound like registering seeds will fight terrorism and make this a safer place to be.