#AGRG2607970ADecree of 27 March 2026 amending the Official Catalogue of Species and Varieties of Cultivated Plants in France (vegetable seed species)
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
This French decree, dated 27 March 2026, officially registers numerous new vegetable varieties into the national catalogue. Article 1 adds dozens of varieties of eggplant, chicory, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, cucumber, zucchini, fennel, lettuce, popcorn maize, sweet corn, melon, watermelon, turnip, bunching onion, pepper, pea, radish, and tomato. These varieties may be marketed as certified basic or certified seed, or as standard seed, for a period of ten years. The responsible maintainers are primarily French seed companies such as Vilmorin-Mikado, HM Clause, Sakata, Gautier, and Rijk Zwaan, along with several Dutch, Japanese, Swiss, and other foreign entities. Article 2 registers six traditional or non-intrinsic-value varieties (including specific tomatoes and cabbages) that may only be sold as standard seed. The measure expands the legally marketable seed pool for French farmers and gardeners.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- Registration of over 140 new vegetable varieties for a duration of 10 years
- Addition of multiple lettuce, melon, pepper, and tomato varieties to the certified seed list
- Approval of varieties from French companies including Vilmorin-Mikado SAS, HM Clause SAS, Sakata, and Gautier Semences
+ 3 more changes with Pro
Obligations
What this law requires
Seed companies and maintainers listed in Article 1 must ensure that vegetable seed varieties they maintain can be marketed as certified basic seed, certified seed, or standard seed in France
Seed companies and maintainers must maintain the registered vegetable varieties in conservative selection breeding for the ten-year registration period
Traditional or non-intrinsic-value varieties listed in Article 2 (Mille têtes du bocage, Branchu du bocage, Chemin, La Vendéenne, Perdrigeon, Rouge naine hâtive, Roi Humbert) must only be sold as standard seed, not as certified seed
All registered vegetable varieties in Articles 1 and 2 are authorized for marketing in France for a period of ten years from the decree date (27 March 2026)
Decree must be published in the Journal officiel de la République française