THE FUTURE OF SEEDS POST-BREXIT

We try to reduce ‘vegetable miles’ by growing our own and buying locally, but often forget that their journey actually starts with the seeds. Hardly any of the vegetable seeds sold to UK gardeners and growers are produced in this country. Similarly, other products with local provenance are valued – local cider or breeds of livestock, for example – but rarely local varieties of vegetable. Change could be on its way, however. Small independent seed companies are becoming more popular; Brexit could bring new regulations that govern which vegetable varieties they can sell; and there are moves to encourage local production of seed. All this could lead to more choice for gardeners – giving us some tailor-made varieties and better quality seed.

“When Britain joined the EU in 1973, many favourite garden veg varieties were casualties”

JOINING THE EU

When Britain joined the EU in 1973, many favourite garden veg varieties were casualties –‘Up-to-Date’ onion,