HC Deb 03 March 1993 vol 220 c191W
Mr. Gapes

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures his Department is taking to encourage the retention of less common varieties on the national approved list for vegetables.

Mr. Curry

The Department has, in conjunction with the French authorities, put forward a proposal to the EC Commission's standing committee on seeds and propagating material for agriculture, horticulture and forestry which would have the effect of relaxing current controls over the sale to the amateur gardener of small packets of seeds of traditional vegetable varieties. This proposal is currently under consideration by the standing committee.