[SOS-PCA] Article: Germany's Seed "Areas of Origin"

[Lindsey Riibe]

Germany created their own version of seed transfer zones.
PDF of map
<http://www.regionalisierte-pflanzenproduktion.de/fileadmin/institut/regiosaatgut/Regiosaatgut_Herkunftsregionen.pdf>
(page
3)

"...in which Germany is divided up into 22 areas of origin, using different
geographical criteria. These areas of origin are then grouped in eight
production zones. Several companies are already offering seed whose areas
of origin can be precisely traced."

*By 2020 only native seed developed locally (within the "area of
origin") can be used in Germany for restoration of grasslands.*

more here:
https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=36336&webc_pm=13/2016

"Anyone wanting to create a wildflower meadow in their garden or plant a
new grassland habitat as part of a nature conservation project will find a
huge range of seed mixtures available for purchase. These will definitely
come from native plant species, but might theoretically have been produced
anywhere in the world. In 2007 and 2008 alone, Germany imported 13,000
tonnes of grass seed and 280 tonnes of herb seed. "It may be cheaper to buy
this seed abroad", he explained, "but the plants may then have adapted to
suit conditions somewhere like New Zealand, for example, and not German
regions such as Bavaria or Brandenburg".
- Sound familiar ?

-- 
Lindsey Riibe
Conservation and Land Management Intern
Bureau of Land Management Plant Conservation Program
Washington Office, DC
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