EU to ban sale of seed packs of mixed salad leaves

[francesbean]

Apologies if this has been posted before, but I've just heard about this and can't really believe its true - so if anyone can find a credible link I'd be grateful.

Apparently seeds, from the likes of T&M, Franchi (the ones I buy) and Suttons etc that are of mixed varieties, including lettuces, lambs lettuce, chard, spinach, parsley, chervil etc - like the highly washed extortionate supermarket bags that we have all become so addicted to are to be banned and only seperate seed will be available.

Most of these packs contain about a 1000 seeds, so to get a mix you'd end up buying about 6000 seeds. I know we can swap, but I don't get it why the change ?

A quick look online says its to bring the UK in line with the rest of the EU which has not allowed the sale of mixed salad seeds for a while. Is there some reason behind this - is it not safe for us gardeners to handle the seed of mixed salad leaves ? Apparently some canny UK seed merchants have still been selling these mixed seeds to the rest of Europe and the mighty EU beaurocrats don't think this is fair!

francesbean

[veggiechicken]

Aren't Franchi an Italian company - and they sell mixed seeds.
Its all about bringing every one down to the lowest common denominator instead of raising everyone's game! (That's an appalling use of words but I hope you get my drift!).

[alldigging]

Why oh why oh why?

It sounds silly but I bet someone's had an allergic reaction to a salad leaf or something like that.

[ladylottie]

I just don't understand the thinking behind this - sometimes I start to wonder whether joining the EU was really the best idea for Britain - they have some silly ideas that most of us Brits don't really want to go along with!

[rpt]

Before everyone gets too hot under the collar, can we check if this is really true? Where did you hear it?

[rpt]

OK, here's a link:

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct...k18fqJ78Tehfig

Bizarrely it's actually a relaxation of the rules. It's perhaps one of the few EU rules that the UK hasn't enforced properly.

I have to say it does seem an unfortunate side effect of rules probably designed to ensure seed purity but I cannot see how mixed species harms the consumer.

Will this also apply to mixed wild flower seeds and such like?

[Thelma Sanders]

EC rule on salad seed hits mixes | Login | Horticulture Week

it seems some seed mixes are 'unregulated' (whatever that means) and can still be sold.

This whole EU regulation thing is getting out of control IMO



sorry rpt for the snap

[Piggle]

I can see it now .. black market seed mixes, men in trilby's and trench coats passing seed packets back and forward under cover of darkness.

EU = extremely useless !

[rpt]

Your link requires a login Thelma. That's why mine is a strange google thing because that works. Very odd.

Anyway, which mixes are unregulated?

And in answer to my own question about flower mixes, the regulations only apply to vegetables.

I'm a supporter of the EU but this sort of thing does bring it into disrepute and only helps its detractors.

[veggiechicken]

I've seen it suggested that the suppliers may package the individual types of seed separately within a larger packet - then we stir them up into our own salad mix!

[zazen999]

*doesn't bother to rant, but goes off to buy a trilby and trenchcoat

[Piggle]

will you be wearing a red carnation as well zazz?

[zazen999]

will you be wearing a red carnation as well zazz?

You haven't seen me, right?

[Florence Fennel]

*doesn't bother to rant, but goes off to buy a trilby and trenchcoat

Right behind you walking backwards Zaz. I don't think I've ever bought a packet of mixed salad seed, I always mix my own. I can't tell you what I put in it, because then I'd have to kill you.

[zazen999]

Right behind you walking backwards Zaz. I don't think I've ever bought a packet of mixed salad seed, I always mix my own. I can't tell you what I put in it, because then I'd have to kill you.

Mwa hahahahahahaha

I already killed you with my mixed bag of salad seeds. You is already dead. You can't get me, I is gone in a Flash - woof woof.