The Council of the European Union has adopted a new regulation designed to enhance the quality, traceability, and availability of forest reproductive material (FRM). The rules aim to bolster the resilience of Europe’s forests against the escalating threats of climate change, pests, and diseases while supporting the competitiveness of the EU seed sector.
As a cornerstone for forest regeneration, including vital reforestation and afforestation projects, the regulation ensures that only approved and certified seeds and plants enter the market. This standardisation is intended to guarantee the sustainability of planting material and improve biodiversity through the conservation of genetic resources.
“Today’s decision is a key step towards more resilient and sustainable forests in Europe,” said Maria Panayiotou, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of the Republic of Cyprus. “It improves the quality of forest reproductive material, supports innovation and gives member states better tools to manage forests and respond to future challenges.”
The new framework introduces several critical updates:
- Mandatory certification: Stricter rules to ensure only high-quality, certified seeds and plants are traded.
- Enhanced traceability: A robust system to track seeds and seedlings across all EU member states.
- Climate adaptation: Encouragement of planting materials specifically resilient to shifting climates and resistant to local pests.
- Harmonised controls: A simplified, more uniform system of controls to reduce administrative friction between member states.
The regulation now awaits a formal vote from the European Parliament. Once finalised, the date of application is set for five years from now, allowing member states sufficient time to adapt national practices that have, in many cases, remained unchanged for over 25 years.
