Legislation

For 34 species, European regulations and French legislation have recognised the farmers' right to reseed or replant part of the crop from their own holding in return for a fair remuneration for breeders.

These self-produced seeds are called farm-saved seed.

Farmers who produce less than the equivalent of 92 tonnes of wheat, or about 15 hectares, are exempt.

Species covered by the farm-saved seed derogation:

• Cereal: :  Oat - Bristle Oat - Wheat - Durum Wheat - Barley - Rice - Rye - Triticale - Spelt - Canary grass
• Forage: : Lucerne - Field Pea - Italian Ryegrass - Hybrid Ryegrass - Egyptian Clover - Persian Clover - Red Clover - Crimson Clover - Common Vetch
• Potatoes
• Oilseeds: Rapeseed - Linseed, excluding Flax Fibre - White Mustard - Turnip - Soya Bean
• Vegetables: Chickling Pea - Bean - Lentil - Chickpea
• Protein crops: Faba Bean - White Lupin - Blue Lupin - Yellow Lupin - Protein Pea

For other species, the use of farm-saved seed of protected varieties is prohibited and constitutes an infringement.

For certain species, including straw cereal and potatoes, this exemption has been the subject of cross-branch agreements, involving representatives of the sectors concerned, the Ministry of Agriculture, Agri-Food and Forestry and the Ministry of the Economy and Finance.

These agreements specify the terms and conditions for the remuneration of farm-saved seed.

SICASOV is responsible for the implementation of these agreements.