Retail Sales of Seed Potatoes
Advice for gardeners, allotment holders and hobbyists planting seed potatoes
The marketing of seed potatoes in Scotland are subject to the terms of the Seed Potatoes (Scotland) Regulations 2000 as amended. The conditions set out in these Regulations apply to seed potatoes sold at retail outlets to the public as well as those sold on a commercial scale to farmers and growers. This is intended to give a brief guide on what conditions should be satisfied for retail sales.
What are Basic Seed Potatoes?
Basic Seed Potatoes are inspected and monitored at every stage of growth to ensure when planted they produce a crop which is as vigorous and healthy as possible. Only after this can the potatoes be sold as Basic Seed Potatoes with a label (also known as a Plant Passport) attached to the bag. The highest quality seed potatoes on sale here are known as Pre-Basic seed potatoes. The Regulations state that only Basic or Pre-Basic seed potatoes can be sold and planted to anyone in Scotland.
Which potatoes cannot be sold as seed?
Scotland is recognised as a High Grade Seed Region in the EU and lower grades of seed potatoes known as Certified seed potatoes may not be sold here. Certified seed potatoes have lower standards than either Pre-Basic or Basic seed potatoes. Seed potatoes produced in other parts of the EU may be sold in Scotland as long as they have been correctly notified and labelled.
What information do I have to look for when purchasing seed potatoes?
The seller should display the following type of details:
- Variety
- Basic seed potatoes
- Class and Community Grade
- Size in millimetres
- Growers details (including producers registration number)/Crop identification number
- Net weight
- Chemical Treatment (if any)
You will often find that a lot more information will be displayed. All this information is available on the seed potato label. Where seed potatoes are purchased (in up to 50 kg bags) and then sold in smaller lots the information has to be displayed prominently either beside the lot of potatoes or on the display itself. Some retailers will display the actual label whilst others will write out the details above and place it on a card close to the potatoes.
For example:
Scottish Basic Seed Potatoes Desiree Super Elite 2 ( EC Grade 2] 35x55 mm Crop identification number xx xxx xx xx |
The crop identification number is a unique number given to every seed potato grower. It is printed on the seed potato label and allows the seed potatoes to be traced back to the farm of origin.
Seed potatoes for gardeners are often now sold in small bags containing between 10 to 25 tubers. These pre-packs should also have the above details printed on them and purchasers should check that this information is detailed before buying.