Fees for seed testing, seed certification and associated seed functions: consultation

Options for consideration

Option 1: Maintain the status quo – all fees remain at current level

This option would mean no fee increase, but this is likely to leave the Scottish taxpayer having to subsidise the seed industry using these services. As a result, this would not comply with the Scottish Government approach to setting charges for public services. Scottish Government would not achieve full cost recovery and would incur a deficit for the services provided to the seed industry.

Option 2:

Full cost recovery for all services provided to the seed industry by Scottish Government. This would result in:

• An increase for seed certification and associated licensed activities fees by 5%;
• An increase in all seed testing fees by 8%;
• A reduction of Licensed Seed Testing Stations fee by 9%;
• To maintain all cost associated with Seed Testing Course at present level.

Option 2 is Scottish Government's preference, as it allows for full cost recovery of all services provided.

Scottish Government welcomes your views on the above options.