The Seed Potato Classification Scheme

The Seed Potato Classification Scheme (SPCS) provides classification of all potatoes produced and marketed in England and Wales, depending on the class of the parent seed, and the health of the crop and tubers.

The aim of the SPCS is to provide assurance that seed potatoes delivered to buyers and growers meet specified minimum health and quality standards.

The SPCS is administered by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in England and the Welsh Government in Wales.

You cannot market EU seed potatoes in Great Britain.

The SPCS classifies all potatoes that are marketed in England and Wales. The SPCS inspects the quality of seed potatoes to protect purchasers and to ensure that seed potatoes meet the Seed Potatoes (England) Regulations 2015 and Seed Potatoes (Wales) Regulations 2016.

The inspections, tests and controls required by the SPCS are carried out by Plant Health and Seeds Inspectors (PHSIs) to determine a seed potato’s:

When classified, seed potatoes are given a grade. Only basic and pre-basic grades may be marketed within the protected regions of Scotland and the counties of Northumberland (excluding the districts of Blyth Valley and Wansbeck) and Cumbria (excluding the districts of Barrow-in-Furness and South Lakeland).

To clarify whether your agricultural unit falls within the protected region, contact APHA by telephone on 0300 1000 313.

The marketing of seed potatoes is defined as:

In the UK, classified seed potatoes are derived from nuclear stock – which is tested and found free from quarantine organisms and certain other pathogens.