Farm saved seed rules in European organic farming

Farm saved seed (FSS) is a key practice in European organic farming, enabling farmers to reuse seeds from their own harvests. It is regulated under EU regulations 2100/94 and 1768/95, which define the 'farmers’ exemption' allowing reuse of protected varieties with equitable remuneration. Conservation, landrace, and heritage varieties are in the public domain and require no payment. Farmers must verify protection status via the CPVO database, as not all EU Common Variety Catalogue entries are PBR-protected. Small farms are exempt from royalty payments under Article 7. The rules balance farmers’ rights with breeders’ intellectual property interests across the EU.