Importing seeds

[GrowingChillis]

hi all

does anyone know the law regarding importing seeds to the Uk from non EC countries, I have read alot of legistlation on it but cant get a definate answer.
Has anyone ever tried importing seeds and do you know the processe that need to be gone through to get them into the country safe and sound.

any ideas welcome

cheers

[GrowingChillis]

[Robert_Brenchley]

Get them to put something on the customs delaration that they won't understand. I regularly import ancient coins as 'numismatic samples' or 'stamped metal disks'; that way nobody thinks they're going to be worth stealing. Something like 'Trillium samples' would probably do it.

[jennym]

There are MANY laws covering the importation of seeds and plant stock, seeds count as plant material, and you really shouldn't be importing them without going through the proper procedures.
These procedures are designed to stop diseases coming into the UK and ensure the quality of imported plant stock.
One batch of infected seeds can put people's livelihoods at risk, and stop us enjoying the benefits of all out hard work on allotments, so I can't emphasis enough how important it is that these procedures aren't ignored.

Start by reading this, in full, to give you an idea of what the law says.
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20052530.htm

Sorry to sound stuffy about this, but it REALLY IS IMPORTANT.

[Robert_Brenchley]

I notice there are considerable exceptions for small quantities brought into the country by travellers, though potatoes are banned, quite rightly in my view. I know it's a very simple matter for someone in the States to get a license to send small quantities of seed if it's non-commercial, so I don't think there's anything to be frightened of. There may or may not be a similar scheme over here, but I'm not about to wade through that lot to find out!

[GrowingChillis]

hi all

yeh I contacted DEFRA about improting chilli seeds, they said initially that it would be fine, but now they have emailed saying that there are plant controls on chilli seeds
that is a bit annoying, so I think I am just gonna steer clear of it, also it needs to be done in a reasonable quantity to make any kind fo money.
i think I could get some samples sent from the guy tho and then just grow from them and then next year I would have lots of seeds!

thanks for all the input

:)