Marketing a genetically diverse wheat: YQ in the UK

Practice Abstract No. 40

Author(s): 
Bickler, C. Published by ÖMKi Hungarian Research Institute of Organic Agriculture
Funders: 
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 727230 and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation under contract number 17.00090
Date: 
May 2020
Copyright: 
All rights reserved.
Evidence: 
Applied research
Related theme: 
Cereals, oil seeds & pulses
Regulations, standards & policy
Markets & food systems
People & skills
Biodiversity
Related links: 
Launch of ORC Wakelyns Population
Populations: diversity in plant breeding
Wakelyns Agroforestry: Resilience through diversity

Download the PDF
Resource explained: 

It has been possible to market the seed of genetically diverse populations of cereal under the EU implementing decision 2014/150/EU. This temporary experiment has now ended and the results published. The use of populations has subsequently been recognised within the new European Organic Regulation (2018/848/EU) yet how this policy will be translated into the UK organic regulation and seed legislation remains to be seen. The work has highlighted that cereal processors are often cautious of the variability found in such populations. Yet, it is necessary for grain markets to develop and create demand for the seed. This short abstract (created as part of the LIVESEED project) outlines a case study in this area that will be useful for farmers who may be interested in growing a genetically diverse cereal crop. It is based on the experience of the ORC Wakelyns Population - a genetically diverse wheat that has been bred under organic conditions in the UK to maximise both yield and quality parameters.

Findings & recommendations: 
  • Find out about the LIVESEED project here, with further details about the use of genetically diverse populations (or Organic Heterogeneous Material) as part of the new EU Organic Regulation here.
  • Read a factsheet on (r)evolutionary wheat populations, focusing on the ORC Wakelyns Population here.
Summary provided by: 
Charlotte Bickler

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Organic Research Centre

partner ORC is the UK’s leading research centre for the development of organic, agroecological food production and land management solutions to key global issues including climate change, soil and biodiversity conservation and food security.

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