Official Seed Certification Labels

The Authority intends to grant a concession to a supplier (Concessionaire) who will supply official seed certification labels for use in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland (the “Concession”).

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is an executive Agency of Defra. The Varieties and Seeds team is currently a part of the Inspectorate programme within APHA with responsibility for operating Plant Breeders’ Rights, National Listing and the Seed Certification schemes.

Seed Certification is a requirement of EU Directives, which are implemented in the UK by National Legislation. It is a consumer protection measure designed to assure the quality of seed of Agricultural and Horticultural species covered by the seed marketing regulations which is marketed to seed companies growers and farmers. APHA is responsible for seed certification in England and also acts on behalf of the Welsh Government in certifying seed crops and seed marketed in Wales. The Scottish Government (SG) is responsible in Scotland and Department of Agricultural and Rural Development (DARD) in Northern Ireland.

The Concessionaire will be responsible for the provision of official seed labels to Licensed Seed Companies. These labels will be used by the companies on varying sizes of bags, ranging from 25kg to 1 tonne tote bags of certified seed in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

The current Contact is intended to expire on the 31 December 2015.

The Authority are seeking to let a three (3) year contract commencing on the 1st October 2015, with the Concession fully operational by 1st January 2016. The contract will have an option to extend for up to a further twenty four (24) months.

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