User guide for certified seed
Check list for certified seed user:
- Order your seed early. This way you will be guaranteed delivery and the benefits of advance ordering.
- Check the seed consignment when it arrives. Notify the supplier immediately of any missing items.
- Store the seed correctly! Make sure the seed are stored in a well-ventilated, dry and adequately warm storehouse. Keep the seed separate from other potatoes. Remember hygienic handling!
- Check the correct variety-specific pre-sprouting recommendations from the supplier and aim for optimal pre-sprouting.
- Follow the supplier's instructions on seed dressing and measures against stem canker and silver scurf.
- Plant the seed according to the variety's characteristics. Plant in well-prepared soil that has started to warm up. Check the correct nutrients and watering of the section.
- Irrigate where necessary. Pay attention to plant protection, harvesting and storage to guarantee a good quality crop.
Why should you use certified seed?
Seed farmers know their business
Certified seed potato is always produced on specialist farms. They have passed the regulatory inspection process, and the growers are professionals in their field. Growing is specialised in areas and field sections best suited for seed potato. Seed potato packing plants must maintain a valid regulatory packing permit.
Certified seed is always officially inspected and approved
The quality of registered seed in seed potato cultivation has been verified by regulatory inspections. All the seed potato fields have been tested against cyst nematodes. Seed potato farms undergo one or two field inspections during the growing season in which the purity of the variety and disease status are verified. In addition, laboratory tests are carried out during winter on seed potato lots for bacterial ring rot and viruses. Storage inspections must not reveal soil, dry rot or blackleg, mechanical or physiological damage or potato scab over the allowable limits. Sorting size in the lots is also verified. Self-monitoring of the farms complements regulatory control.
Risk management and cost efficiency
Long-term cooperation between the buyer and seller helps to stabilise the demand and supply of seed potato. If seed are ordered too late, you may be left without high-quality seed, whereby the quality chain of potato production is broken even before planting. Buying the seed annually from a seed potato supplier removes any risk relating to seed care. Another advantage is the removal of storage and handling costs of seed produced on your own farm as well as increased and productive growing and storage space.
The seed potato chain helps to develop a better product
Seed potato producers are committed to developing their operations. Operators in the field participate in various development projects. Customer orientation is one of the commonly accepted goals.
Complaint policy protecting the buyer
The retail trade of certified seed is based on the contract conditions of seed trade. The buyer must inspect the products immediately after delivery. Complaints concerning reduced delivery or externally visible damage to the product must be made to the Seller immediately in writing. In other instances, a written complaint must be submitted within seven days from the date a defect was observed but no later than 30 days from the delivery or collection of the product. Complaints concerning plants grown from seed potato must be made in writing to the seller no later than by the end of the following August. The complaint must be made using the complaint form approved by the association of seed traders (Siemenkauppiaitten Yhdistys ry) with an attached written statement by an approved inspector of the Finnish Food Safety Authority Ruokavirasto.
