Brexit

[Odsox]

I just received an email from Real Seed Co telling me that due to Brexit they can no longer send seeds out of the UK due to the UK Plant Passport being no longer valid in EU countries. Apparently this applies even if there is a last minute deal.
If I want to order from Real Seeds, I need to do it soon for delivery before December 31st.
I have no idea if this affects other UK seed companies, but it is a bit of a blow to me.

Another case of Brexit being enforced upon me when I had no right to the vote, even though I am still a British Citizen.
Feeling slightly miffed.

[Green Aura]

Does that apply to personal mail, or just Companies?

[Flo]

Suttons Seeds website says that they will post to the EU but there are various hoops to jump through. May change of course and they just haven't got round to it.

[Odsox]

Dobies have always treated Ireland the same as the UK with the same postage for small lightweight items, unlike other UK seed companies. I sent them an email yesterday asking about after Brexit, I'll post their reply when they get around to it.
I don't know the legality of private mail GA, as I could easily have a UK registered address, but of course that means double postage costs anyway.

[Green Aura]

I'm sure you've already seen this on their site but if not -

Disappointed we can't send seed to you?
Here are some other excellent suppliers to try instead:

It really is better to buy seeds locally within your country - they will be selected to do well
in your climate, rather than ours, and you will be supporting local businesses.

Some particular companies that we know of who offer a good range of locally grown open pollinated seeds include

Ireland - Brown Envelope Seeds
and also the Irish Seed Savers Association

[Odsox]

Thanks GA, yes I saw that, BUT ... have you looked at Brown Envelope Seeds web site?
They are sort of "just down the road" to me, as in about 20 miles away. I've been there on open days and their daughter is now our local MP or TD as we have here.
But they have very little in the way of varieties and a lot of their seed is not fresh. To be fair, they do have the harvest date and the latest germination test printed on the packet, but not very useful if you want to keep left over seeds for subsequent years.

No reply from Dobies yet.

[Odsox]

Suttons Seeds website says that they will post to the EU but there are various hoops to jump through. May change of course and they just haven't got round to it.

Suttons and Dobies are the same company Flo, and those shipping details are the ones in force at the moment. They may of course stay the same after January the 1st, hope so, but not holding my breath.

[Flo]

Knowing which seed company is not owned by another is something I'm not good at ....

[Odsox]

Knowing which seed company is not owned by another is something I'm not good at ....

Dobies and Suttons are both in Paignton, Devon, and have virtually identical catalogues and seed varieties.
One variety is Dobies "Crimson" blight resistant tomato varieties and they are all in both catalogues, but nowhere else.
Dobies customer base is aimed at traditional gardeners, where Suttons seem to aim at casual gardeners.
Dobies packet of Crimson Crush tomato 15 seeds @ £3.99 .... Suttons Crimson Crush 10 seeds @ £4.49

Still no reply from Dobies to my email on the 21st of October

[Flo]

They probably haven't got the test results for the virus back so your email is still in quarantine.

[Viper254]

I think this is to do with plant passports. Not all companies are going to deal with them, hence the difficulties upcoming :/

[Odsox]

Not quite so worried now, I've found a very nice French company that sells lots of seeds, except peas and beans for some reason. Bought some onion seed from them and it arrived about 2 days later. Plus there is an Irish lady called "seedaholic" who sells just about every variety, been buying from her for years.

No reply from Dobies yet, but it's only been 19 days

[John Headstrong]

You could get someone in Scotland to buy them and send them over to you.

[Odsox]

Just been looking at this in some detail. What I found is .....

THE (Irish) DEPARTMENT OF Agriculture has advised

“Anyone importing seeds, plants or plant products from outside of the EU needs to be registered with us and consignments require a phytosanitary certificate to prevent the introduction of harmful pests and invasive species into Ireland and the EU”.

Not sure what applies to the UK sending seeds as all the information I could find still shows the UK as being part of the EU. It seems the UK might not actually be 100% ready yet

Plus of course it would entail double postage.

[Odsox]

Even more doom and gloom, not only for Ireland but Scotland too.
A ban on seed potatoes or anything else with UK soil attached from January 1st to EU.
I hope the trade importers get the seed potatoes delivered before the end of the year.

https://www.independent.ie/business/far ... 20the%20EU.