Potatoes

Arrangements for collecting farm-saved payments on eligible potato varieties were first introduced in 2001.

Unlike the farm-saved seed payment rates for combinable crops which are set each year on a crop by crop basis following negotiation between BSPB and the farming unions, farm-saved seed payment rates are set for each eligible potato variety by the variety owners. BSPB has been appointed to collect farm-saved seed payments on the variety owners' behalf.

FSS rules - key points in law:

•••••••Under plant health regulations, potatoes can only be sown as farm-saved seed for one
•••••••generation after certified seed.

•••••••Farmers are legally obliged to declare their use of farm-saved seed, and to pay for
•••••••the use of eligible varieties.   

•••••••All growers who have purchased certified seed of potato varieties eligible for farm-saved
•••••••seed payments will automatically receive a farm-saved seed declaration form.

•••••••Farmers cannot sell, buy, barter or otherwise transfer FSS outside their own holding. 

 
Click here to download our fact sheet

Varieties currently eligible for FSS payment.

Potato Farm Saved Seed Agreement

For selected potato varieties, a number of potato breeders are introducing the Potato Farm-Saved Seed Agreement – or PFA - from spring 2013. BSPB will administer the PFA scheme on breeders’ behalf, acting as agent. The objective of the new scheme is to improve transparency and compliance in the collection of royalties on farm-saved seed (FSS) in the potato sector, so protecting investment for the future development of improved potato varieties.

Continued investment and innovation by potato breeders is essential, not only to help growers meet the requirements of a dynamic and changing market place, but also to address new climatic, agronomic and environmental challenges.

Further information on the PFA

Sample PFA