Strawberry seedlings of unauthorized origin were seized by the NÉBIH

According to Nébih’s information on Tuesday, the plants were offered for sale without a fruit propagating material producer (nursery) license or a propagating material wholesale license (Photo: Pixabay)

Official proceedings will be initiated against market players who do not comply with legal regulations, which may result in the imposition of a quality protection fine ranging from HUF 250,000 to HUF 5 million, the authority announced. Illegal propagating material formulation threatens the credibility of the propagating material production, distribution and control system, as well as the interests of users, planters, and fruit growers – they indicated.

Offenders can expect such a punishment

Nébih drew attention to the fact that a recommendation for sale, regardless of whether it takes place online, is considered a distribution activity in itself. According to the announcement, the authority monitors and investigates all advertisements and other activities offering fruit propagating material. In order to filter out distributors of propagating material operating illegally, experts will continue to carry out inspections in the future. Unlicensed, “black distributors” can count on the involvement of co-authorities in addition to proceedings and fines due to violations of the reproductive material supervision legislation. If the unauthorized use of a variety clearly exists – in the case of varieties with domestic or European Union variety protection -, the authority will also notify the variety holder about the activities of the distributor who committed the violation.

MTI