Dutch organic Zucchini growers limited to organic seed

The expert group for open field vegetable crops has advised the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs to add "green cylindrical zucchini" to the National Annex. The ministry has adopted this advice. This means that as of January 1, 2016 Dutch organic growers can only use organic seed from this sub-crop.

For the other varieties, like yellow and round zucchinis, an exemption is still possible for the use of conventional seed. According to the expert group, zucchini can be added to the Annex because its organic range has been expanded with the varieties from Clause.

The National Annex is the list of (sub) crops for which no exemption is possible for the use of conventional seed. The purpose of the Annex is to encourage the use and the production of organic starting material step by step. Every year the expert groups review for which crops the supply of organic seeds is sufficient for inclusion in the Annex, on the basis of (changes in) supply and exemption applications. The expert groups advise the Ministry of Economic Affairs, which ultimately compiles the Annex.