Farmers reminded to declare autumn-sown seed as the declaration period approaches
Growers are being reminded to declare farm-saved seed sown between 1 May and 15 November 2026, which is essential for supporting continued investment in new crop varieties. Not-for-profit organisation, the British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB), collects royalties on behalf of its plant breeder members to help fund the development of new varieties. BSPB royalty co-ordinator, Olivia Herdman says continued investment in plant breeding is particularly important as growers face increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and tightening margins, with fewer crop protection products. “As well as improving yield potential, breeders are working to develop varieties that deliver more consistent performance under challenging conditions and meet the requirements of different end markets,” she says. “It can take 10–15 years and substantial investment to develop a new variety, so royalties play an important role in funding future breeding programmes, for the benefit of the wider farming industry.”
Royalties provide breeders with an important source of income to support this ongoing work, helping to ensure farmers continue to have access to improved varieties in the future. “Providing accurate information on which variety has been used is really important to ensure royalties are paid to the breeder of the variety sown,” Ms Herdman says. Farmers and contractors are legally required to declare the use of farm-saved seed and pay royalties on eligible varieties. Payments can be made to the processor on a tonnage rate, or directly to BSPB on an area rate. “Farm-saved seed royalty rates are set at a lower level than those for certified seed, with the rate agreed with the national farming unions,” Ms Herdman explains. BSPB sends declaration requests to cereal farmers on its database twice a year, for autumn and spring sowing, by post and email, with the request for autumn 2026 due to go out on 15 November. A response to the declaration request is required within 28 days, even if only certified seed has been used, or payment has already been made to the processor.
Source: industry press release.