Published on 7 May 2025

International trade in seed and plant propagating material

Seed of a particular plant variety is always produced and marketed across national borders and must therefore meet international standards.

Seed conditioning in the Champagne region, France — © Federal Office for Agriculture FOAG

Integration into the EU seed market

The standards governing trade with the EU in seed and plant propagating material are uniform for all major crop species. Annex 6 of the agricultural trade agreement between Switzerland and the EU therefore covers:

• Cereal seed
• Oil and fibre plant seed
• Forage seed
• Beet seed
• Seed potatoes
• Propagating material for vines

EU Common Catalogue of Varieties

Varieties in the EU Common Catalogue of Varieties are automatically authorised in Switzerland, and Swiss varieties are registered in the EU catalogue.

Labeling

Seed label Switzerland — Officially certified Arina wheat seed of the second generation. (identification features removed) — © Federal Office for Agriculture FOAG

Seed label Switzerland — Officially certified spelt seed 2nd generation (identification features removed) — © Bundesamt für Landwirtschaft BLW

Seed label Switzerland — Officially certified winter wheat seed stored in sacks. — © Federal Office for Agriculture FOAG

Seed label Switzerland — Seed mixture fodder plants (identification features removed) — © Federal Office for Agriculture FOAG

Seed label Switzerland — Varietal mixture of officially certified wheat seed. (identification features removed) — © Federal Office for Agriculture FOAG

Seed label Switzerland — Officially certified red clover seed 1st generation. (identification features removed) — © Federal Office for Agriculture FOAG

Seed label Switzerland — Officially certified seed, winter barley, 1st generation. (identification features removed) — © Federal Office for Agriculture FOAG

Seed label Switzerland — Officially certified seed, winter barley, 2nd generation. (identification features removed) — © Federal Office for Agriculture FOAG

Seed label Switzerland — The non-official part of the seed label contains information on seed treatment with a plant protection product (identification features removed). — © Federal Office for Agriculture FOAG

Seed label Switzerland — The non-official part of the seed label contains information on organic certification. (identification features removed) — © Federal Office for Agriculture FOAG

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OECD Seed Schemes

The OECD Seed Schemes constitute an international set of rules for seed production and certification, with each scheme encompassing a group of cultivated plant species. OECD labels facilitate global seed trade. Switzerland participates in the schemes for major crops:

• Grasses and legumes
• Crucifers and other oil and fibre species
• Cereals
• Maize
• Sorghum and pearl millet
• Sugar beet and fodder beet

The OECD maintains a comprehensive list of all varieties registered in member states. This list is distinct from Switzerland's national variety catalogues and lists.

The OECD Seed Schemes, used for internationally traded seed, require a further level of tests to confirm the correct implementation of field inspections and other procedures. This testing protocol is not mandated in Swiss seed law or EU Directives.

The FSSPM certifying authority at Agroscope's Reckenholz site (Zurich) also conducts OECD seed certification on request.

Labeling

Seed label of the OECD Seed Schemes — © Agroscope

Further information

The FOAG provides a reduced English-language version of its website that does not include all further information such as documents, legislation or links. These can be found on the pages in the three official languages (German, French and Italian).

• Links

  OECD Seed Schemes

  ESCAA European Seed Certification Agencies Association