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The supply of winter bean seed for this autumn's drilling campaign has been secured after the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) made a successful request for a derogation on behalf of its member businesses in the certified seed sector.

Some winter bean seed germination rates are lower this year following a catchy harvest which saw a mix of dry and wet weather conditions.

As the trade association for the UK's agri-supply industry, AIC applied to Defra along with the Welsh and Scottish Governments for a derogation to allow seed businesses to supply seed with a lower germination rate in order to meet demand and contractual obligations.

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Approval

The derogation, which was approved today (19 October), permits a modest quantity of winter bean seed to be sold with a germination rate of 70 per cent.

Rose Riby, AIC's head of seed, led the derogation request. She says: "This derogation provides reassurance for British growers wishing to drill winter bean seed this autumn.

"After receiving reports of lower germination rates because of the catchy harvest, AIC has worked to establish the facts and apply for this derogation to mitigate the potential for significant disruption to bean seed supply."

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