Forestry Commission
If you market Forest Reproductive Material (FRM) to establish forests in England, Scotland or Wales (Great Britain), or collect and produce it for later marketing, you must follow certain rules so that:
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planting stock can be traced back to its source of basic material for example, the tree from which the seed is collected
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buyers have information about the product and its genetic quality
The rules apply to .
This also applies to those who market or produce FRM for import or export.
Check with the relevant authority in Northern Ireland about its FRM rules.
Supplementary Guidance
FRM Guidance for Northern Ireland
Supplementary Policy Guidance for England
Supplementary Policy Guidance for Scotland
Supplementary Policy Guidance for Wales
FRM system guidance
General Guidance
- FRM guide - please note that this document is currently under review and does not contain the most up to date information.
Basic Material Manager Guidance
FRM Supplier Guidance
Register as a FRM supplier
Only registered suppliers can market FRM. Apply to the Forestry Commission to become an approved supplier of forest reproductive material (FRM).
If you do not comply with regulations you can be removed from the register of FRM suppliers or have conditions imposed.
See the public register of forest reproductive material suppliers.
On 26 October 2021, the Forestry Commission launched a new FRM System which replaces the need to submit physical forms. Please read our guidance for support on how to use the new system.
Register as a Basic Material Manager
Only Basic Material Managers can register Basic Material onto the Register of UK Basic Materials. Apply to the Forestry Commission to become a Basic Material Manager.
See .
It is important that the Forestry Commission is informed of any changes to Basic Material to prevent marketing of reproductive material that does not meet the requirements of the appropriate category. Owners must tell the Forestry Commission of any reduction in area of the Basic Material, or any material change to its composition or stocking, no later than 28 days before a collection of reproductive material. Changes to Basic Material can result in its downgrading to a lower category in, or its removal from, the National Register. This may involve inspection.
Join a voluntary certification scheme
If you collect species not covered by the regulations, you can join a voluntary certification scheme. It allows:
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collectors to certify their native seed collections
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buyers to trace species from you the same way they can trace regulated (controlled) planting stock
To market species on the voluntary list you must follow the same procedures as for controlled species.
Register as a supplier and follow the same notification and application process for seed collection and certification.
FRM
FRM can consist of:
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