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<p>The Government is committed to pursuing a negotiated outcome which maintains our
ability to export all seed to the EU and recognises that this issue is of particular
concern for the seed potato industry. However, it is our duty as a responsible Government
to prepare for all eventualities, including no deal, until we can be certain of the
outcome of those negotiations.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The EU has stated in its Preparedness
Notice for plant reproductive material that, in a no deal scenario, UK seed of all
species will be subject to its equivalence requirements for third countries. This
means that UK seed will not be marketable in the EU until the EU recognises UK processes
as equivalent. Defra, with input from the devolved administrations, has made an initial
application to the EU Commission for third country equivalence. More detailed information
is being prepared in anticipation of discussion with the EU shortly. If approved,
this would allow UK exports of seed potatoes to continue as they do now.</p>
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