Lettuce: exemption for varieties with resistance to new Bremia races

When lettuce varieties with new (higher) resistances to Bremia races enter the market and organic seed is not yet available, exemptions may be permitted on certain conditions.

The lettuce regulation allows farmers to ask for a exemption for one growing season.

The lettuce regulation applies when:
- a new race of Bremia is discovered
- this has been confirmed by experts
- a resistant variety enters on the market
- there is no organic seed available (yet) from this variety

Until now it has not been necessary to use this regulation because the seed companies have always managed to produce organic seed for the desired varieties in time, bur for farmers it is important as an insurance.