Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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836. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the concerns of some citizens that the European Commission proposals for a regulation on the production and making available on the market of plant reproductive material law will have negative consequences for biodiversity and contains the potential to be used by multinational companies as a means of gaining competitive advantage in the choice and use of seeds by agricultural producers. [28092/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The European Commission formally presented its proposals on 6 May last concerning a comprehensive package of measures to strengthen the enforcement of health and safety standards for the entire agri-food chain. The package of measures is expected to provide a modernised and simplified, more risked-based approach to the protection of health and application of controls in the plant and animal sectors

As it stands, the current body of EU legislation covering the food chain consists of almost 70 separate pieces of legislation. The package of reforms announced by the EU Commission proposes to reduce this down to 5 pieces of legislation. These are: Plant Health, Animal Health, Plant Reproductive Material, Official Controls and Financing Regulations. It is anticipated that the new streamlined legislation proposals would reduce the red-tape on processes and procedures for farmers, breeders and food business operators to make it easier for them to carry on business.

The regulation proposed for the commercial plant and seed sector differs very little from those rules already in operation, apart from the introduction of a more streamlined certification process. Importantly though, the regulation proposes to reduce the administrative burden on micro-enterprises, such as small seed processors. Private gardeners and amateur growers would not be affected by these proposed regulations and would be able to continue to exchange seed as before.

It is anticipated that the new regime will not be in place before 2016. In the intervening period, all stakeholders will have ample opportunity to raise any legitimate concerns. The European Commission intends to engage proactively with stakeholders through information seminars in each member state to provide concrete and accurate information on both the content and scope as well as the basis for the legislation. During the negotiation phase of both the overarching regulations and subsequent implementing rules, there will be further engagement with all stakeholders to ensure a balanced outcome.