Changes to the % of organic seed in grass seed mixes from 1st January 2026 for farms in Great Britain

Following challenges with production of grass and forage seeds in 2024 and 2025, Defra have consulted with stakeholders in the seed supply chain to review the supply of organic grass and forage seed available for 2026.

Defra have agreed that the % of organic seed in grass and forage mixes can temporarily be reduced to 50% in 2026. This is down from the previous 70%. This is to ensure that the stocks of organic seed can be distributed and used fairly and to ensure that the variety and quality of mixes being used still meets the needs of farms.  

Where suitable mixes with more than 50% organic inclusion are available, these still must be used. Arable silage and wholecrop mixes are excluded from this change and the minimum organic content for those mixes will remain at 70%.

The 50% allowance relates only to grass and forage seed mixes (including species such as grass, clover, kale, rape, stubble turnip, wild bird seed, game cover, pollen, nectar, beetle bank mixes) blended by a certified seed merchant.

This should not be confused with:

• The 70% organic content requirement for arable silage/wholecrop silage mixes (species such as cereals and peas) without prior permission

• The requirement for all combinable crop seed to be organic or to have prior permission.

Seed merchants should be aware that the same variety of seed cannot be used in both organic and non-organic form within a part-organic mix.

If you need a specific forage mix that is not available with the minimum organic inclusion, you will need to submit a request to the certification team for each non-organic variety included in the mix with justification for the need and demonstration that suitable organic varieties are not available. Ideally this will need to be submitted and approved prior to purchasing the seed but must be approved prior to planting the seed.

Where mixes that meet the minimum % are being used, details of the mixes do not need to be notified to Soil Association Certification before use, but they must be submitted each year at inspection.

Defra are having discussions with the Irish competent authority to agree the % that will be applied in Northern Ireland next year. We will send an update on this as soon as Defra confirm what has been agreed for Northern Ireland.