Guidance

Forest Reproductive Material (FRM) news: September 2021

Updated 1 March 2024

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

• Publication for Northern Ireland

1. Important information for forest reproductive material (FRM) suppliers.

1.1 Marketing in the EU

The EU have formally granted equivalence to the UK for FRM (‘source-identified’, ‘selected’ and ‘qualified’ categories). FRM can be marketed into the EU provided OECD scheme requirements are met.

The EU Commission has adopted a new temporary equivalence decision that permits the marketing of the “tested” categories of FRM to the EU (and Northern Ireland). The decision will remain in place until the end of 2024 and will permit Member States to make their own decisions about importing tested categories of FRM from GB. This temporary decision will allow the EU the time necessary to extend Council Decision 2008/971/EC to apply to tested material and will avoid any risk of disruption of imports of tested material into the EU. Suppliers of FRM are advised to contact the Forestry Commission to obtain the necessary OECD certificates before supplying any FRM to the EU at FRM@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

1.2 Marketing in NI

GB forest reproductive material can be marketed in Northern Ireland.

The EU Commission has adopted a new temporary equivalence decision that permits the marketing of the tested categories of FRM to the EU (and Northern Ireland). The decision will remain in place until the end of 2024 and will permit Member States to make their own decisions about importing tested categories of FRM from GB. This temporary decision will allow the EU the time necessary to extend Council Decision 2008/971/EC to apply to tested material and will avoid any risk of disruption of imports of tested material into Northern Ireland and the EU. Suppliers of FRM are advised to contact the Forestry Commission to obtain the necessary OECD certificates before supplying any FRM to the EU at FRM@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

More detail is available on the Plant Health portal.

2. New FRM system

This month sees the phased role out of a new FRM system.

At present, those wishing to register as FRM suppliers, or those agents and landowners who wish to register Basic Material, must complete forms, and submit them by either post or via email. These forms must then be manually processed by an FRM officer.

The current FRM database is no longer fit for purpose and over the past year and a half we have been looking to create a more robust and user-friendly system that would allow our customers more control and accessibility.

The new system will allow users to:

• apply online to become an FRM supplier
• apply online to become a Basic Material Manager (BMM), previously, when applying using the paper application you would identify yourself as the ‘owner’ or ‘agent’ – now, you will apply to be a Basic Material Manager – when you register you will be asked to enter the name and address details of the owner if you are not the owner

Once an FRM officer has checked and authorised an application to become an FRM supplier or a Basic Material Manager, the user will be able to do the following:

• notify the Forestry Commission through their on-line FRM Supplier account of their intention to Collect seed or take cuttings
• apply to the Forestry Commission through their on-line FRM Supplier account for a Master certificate for a collection
• apply to register seed stands, seed orchards, clonal material or parents of families material.
• once approved, update and amend details of their Basic Material

When logged in users will be able to view all of their seed collection notifications and also the Master certificates that they have applied for.

Also, Basic Material Managers will be able to see all the Basic Material that they have registered.

Further information will be sent out closer to the launch.

3. FRM equiries

All enquiries relating to this newsletter should be directed to the relevant FRM team member:

John Morgan [email protected] 0300 067 5170

For enquiries relating to the FRM regulations, basic material (e.g. new applications for approval or changes to existing details), web pages, inspections and general guidance, please contact:

Amanda Campbell [email protected] 0300 067 5041

For enquiries relating to the seed collection notifications, the issue of Master certificates, registration of new suppliers or for export notifications please contact:

Will Goodfellow [email protected] 0300 067 4217

For Poplar or Aspen issues or for enquiries relating to the issuing of a licence to market material that does not meet the full requirements of the regulations, contact:

Stuart A’Hara [email protected] 0300 067 5906

FRM contact details All enquiries relating to this newsletter should be directed to the relevant FRM team member:

John Morgan [email protected] 0300 067 5170

For enquiries relating to the FRM regulations, basic material (e.g. new applications for approval or changes to existing details), web pages, inspections and general guidance, please contact:

Amanda Campbell [email protected] 0300 067 5041

For enquiries relating to the seed collection notifications, the issue of Master certificates, registration of new suppliers or for export notifications please contact:

Will Goodfellow [email protected] 0300 067 4217

For Poplar or Aspen issues or for enquiries relating to the issuing of a licence to market material that does not meet the full requirements of the regulations, contact:

Stuart A’Hara [email protected] 0300 067 5906