By 2036, the derogations for the use of non-organic seeds in organic farming will be fully phased out. This represents a significant milestone for the organic movement and an important step towards creating resilient food systems. But achieving this goal won’t happen by chance. It will require careful planning, capacity building, and strong cooperation among farmers, breeders, seed companies, and policymakers.
To support this transition, the LiveSeeding project has just published a new deliverable on the roadmap/decision tree to reach 100% organic seed, guiding national authorities in shaping policies that will increase the production and use of organic seed. This practical tool highlights inspiring examples from across Europe and outlines key lessons learned from these pioneering strategies.
Learning from national experiences
One of the strengths of the report is that it draws on six national strategies currently underway in Europe, offering valuable insights into what works and what challenges remain:
- Denmark: Future-Proof Organic Vegetable Seeds project (2022–2026)
- France: Species Categorization System
- Germany: Roadmaps to Increase Supply and Demand for Organic Plant Reproductive Material (2023–2026)
- Latvia: Developing the Necessary Measures to Boost the Use of Organic Seed project (2023–2025)
- Sweden: Increasing domestic vegetable seed production by 2036 (2022–2028)
- Italy: National Plan for Organic Seed (2025–2028)
These initiatives demonstrate that progress is possible when governments invest in research, create incentives for multiplication, and work closely with farmers and breeders. They also show that there is no one-size-fits-all model: each country tailors its approach to its crops, markets, and institutional structures.
What makes a successful roadmap?
The report highlights three critical elements that national strategies should include:
- A multi-actor approach. Collaboration between farmers, seed companies, breeders, advisors, and administrations is essential. No single actor can drive the transition alone.
- A comprehensive overview of the current situation. Reliable data on seed supply, demand, and usage is the basis for good decisions. Monitoring systems and databases, such as the Router Database, are key tools.
- Institutional support. Roadmaps should be embedded in wider agricultural policies, such as National Organic Action Plans, to ensure coherence and long-term backing.
The path to 2036 is defined but will demand determination and collaboration. With this report, national authorities have a valuable tool to make 100% organic seed a reality.
Why organic seeds matter
Seeds are the foundation of agriculture. In organic farming, they carry even more significance; they must be suited to low-input systems, resilient to climate change, and free from synthetic chemicals. However, many organic farmers continue to rely on derogations that allow the use of conventional seeds when organic alternatives are unavailable.
These derogations were intended as a temporary solution. If organic farming is to fulfil its promise of sustainability, it needs to develop a strong and diverse seed sector of its own. The roadmap outlines how Europe can achieve this goal.
Moving to 100% organic seed is not just a technical requirement for organic farming. It has broader benefits for European agriculture and society. Stronger organic seed systems contribute to:
- Biodiversity, by fostering diverse varieties and heterogeneous populations
- Climate resilience, by providing crops that can adapt to local conditions and stresses
- Food sovereignty, by empowering farmers to access seed suited to their needs without reliance on external inputs
- These outcomes align directly with the European Green Deal and the EU’s Farm to Fork Strategy.
