On 29 May 2025, over 80 stakeholders gathered at the Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra for the third European Organic Seed Policy Conference. Co-organised by the Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture, and the LiveSeeding project, the conference focused on economic strategies and policy developments to boost the organic seed sector, with a spotlight on Portugal.
The event brought together policymakers, seed producers, researchers, advisors and civil society organisations. The aim was to assess the current state of organic farming in Portugal and define pathways to increase the availability and use of organic seeds across Europe.
Opening the conference, Vanda Batista, the Director of the Unit for Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural and Agri-food Development at CCDR Centro, of reminded the audience: “The future of resilient food systems starts today, and it has always started with seeds.” That message framed a day of dialogue on practical and legislative challenges facing the sector.
Path towards inclusive and resilient seed systems
A key concern raised throughout the day was the persistence of high derogation rates for the use of non-organic seeds in organic farming. Speakers emphasised that national strategies are needed to gradually phase out general derogations, accompanied by investments in production capacity and farmer training. A presentation of key policy recommendations, developed by Freya Schäfer from FiBL Germany, called for:
- a coordinated national approach to assess seed demand and supply
- clear crop-level timelines for phasing out derogations by 2036
- alignment of certification and funding rules with on-the-ground realities
Discussions also addressed the structural and financial challenges faced by seed producers and multipliers, as well as the need for better communication between researchers, farmers and national administrations. Several speakers highlighted that while Portugal has programmes in place to support seed production and innovation, access to these instruments remains administratively demanding and unevenly distributed.
From legislative harmonisation to market incentives, participants agreed on the urgency of a medium- and long-term vision that recognises seeds as both a cultural and economic cornerstone of agroecological transition.
The conference concluded with a shared call to strengthen coordination between regions, improve national planning, and promote inclusive seed systems that centre the needs and knowledge of farmers. As participants from the final Panel discussion concluded: “Technology can’t solve everything, we need knowledge, we need networks, and we need public policy that listens.”
A shared declaration for action in Portugal
As a concrete outcome of the event, participants signed the Declaration for the Promotion of Organic Seed in Portugal, committing to joint efforts over the next year to improve the availability and use of organic seed across the country.
The declaration calls for a national working group on organic seed under the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, bringing together public authorities, seed companies, farmers, researchers, and civil society.
The full text of the declaration is available here.
