Verified Seed Scheme for Quality that Counts
The
Verified Seed Collective Mark is the hallmark of seed processing,
whether mobile or static, on-farm or off.
A hallmark ensures that the end-user or buyer knows that what
he or she is being offered is of proven quality, produced to a known,
high standard. This has stood the test of centuries, and is government
supported.
Verified Seed is a Government Registered Mark.
All Verified Seed processors must meet a set of rigorous standards
and an external verifier must independently audit all users of the
quality standard.
Seed treatment is a highly specialised business, and seed cleaning
contractors who can display the Verified Seed Mark may be approached
by growers and farmers with a guarantee that only the correct machinery
and competent personnel will be used to meet their requirements.
To
use the Mark, processors must satisfy the auditor that standards
for checking uncleaned seed, chemical treatment loading, and quality
of out turn, are met.
In addition, there are requirements that should any genetically
modified seed be processed, health and safety and COSHH must be
addressed, as must the disposal of waste, quality of packaging and
final testing. Traceability, so demanded by the end-user, is also
an essential part of the protocol. The grower/farmer is deemed to
be competent in maintaining segregation between varieties on lots
offered for processing. The processor will ensure that no cross
contamination occurs during machine operation.
Farm Processed Seed carries great benefits to all. It has no transport
element or cost, with the consequential environmental penalties.
It has recognition by plant breeders and meets its obligations to
them by collection of Royalties on protected varieties and it gives
the farmer added value to part of his crop and often, by bulk cleaning,
to the entire crop.
Farm Processed Seed, produced to the Verified Seed Standard, gives
a consistently high quality of seed at a consistently good price.