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Propagating material for organic plant production, such as seeds, plants, cuttings and  planting stock  must be of biological origin. This material is organically grown and must not have been treated with any chemically synthesized substances. The production of organic seed and vegetative propagating material takes place in biological soil and according to the organic production regulations.

Naktuinbouw keeps up the availability of organic propagation material at the request of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. All the available varieties are placed per crop in the biodatabase with the relevant company names of the suppliers.

The crops are classified into 3 categories, based on the availability of organic propagation material in that crop. The categories are listed in the National Annex and are called category 1, 2 and 3.
• Category 1: organic propagation material is obligatory.
• Category 2: organic propagation material is obligatory if the variety is available*.
• Category 3: organic propagation material is not obligatory
In the biodatabase you can find in which category the (sub)crop is classified.
   *If the variety is not available, see derogations.

The division in categories of  the Annex is determined by the experts. Bionext has been commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality to compose the Annex.
The organic propagating material offer is judged every year by the expert groups (growers & breeders). On the basis of objective criteria the (sub) crops are classified in one of the categories.

The most crops belong in one category. Some crops are split into (sub)crops. These (sub)crops are often classified  in different categories (category 1, 2 or 3).

The offer of varieties in the biodatabase is based on data provided by the suppliers. The administrators of the biodatabase check the spelling of the variety name and, when it applies,  control if  the variety is listed on the Common Catalogue, that means that the variety may be traded in the EU.

You can find the following information about the variety in the biodatabase:
• Selection within the variety  (only if applicable)
• Supplier
• Available from (date on which the offer is put on the biodatabase)
• Eko/Demeter (biological quality marks)