The Fodder Plant Seed (Scotland) Regulations 2005

SCHEDULE 5

PART I — SAMPLING OF SEED LOTS

Definitions

1

In this Part of this Schedule–

• “composite sample” means a single sample comprising all of the primary samples taken from a seed lot during a single sampling exercise to produce a submitted sample for the seed lot; and

• “primary sample” means a sample taken from a seed lot in accordance with paragraphs 13 to 19 of this Part of this Schedule.

Obtaining a submitted sample

2

A submitted sample shall be obtained from the seed lot by taking primary samples systematically or at random from different positions in the seed lot and combining them to form a composite sample. Where the composite sample is a submitted sample, it may be submitted for an official examination intact or it may be reduced in weight by using one of the instruments referred to in paragraph 20 of this Part of this Schedule in accordance, where appropriate, with the relevant procedures specified in paragraphs 20 to 22 of this Part of this Schedule to give a smaller submitted sample.

Primary sample size

3

At each position of sampling of a seed lot, primary samples of approximately equal size shall be taken.

Condition of the seed lot

4

The seed lot to be sampled shall be a homogeneous seed lot.

Seed lot containers

5

If a seed lot is presented for sampling in more than one container, the containers shall be of the same size and type and contain approximately the same weight of seed.

Sampling from sacks – minimum number of containers to be sampled

6

When the seed lot is in sacks or similar sized containers each containing at least 15 kilograms of seed and not more than 100 kilograms of seed, the minimum number of containers to be sampled shall be in accordance with the following table–

Sampling from sacks or similar containers

7

The containers to be sampled shall be selected systematically or at random and primary samples shall be drawn from the top, middle and bottom of containers; and if more than one primary sample is taken from any container then the position from which the seed is taken shall be varied from primary sample to primary sample and from container to container.

Sampling from small containers – general

8

For sampling seed lots in containers holding less than 15 kilograms of seed, a 100 kilogram weight of seed shall be taken as the basic unit and the small containers shall be combined to form sampling units not exceeding this weight (for example 9 packages of 10 kilograms, 20 packages of 5 kilograms) and for sampling purposes each unit shall be regarded as one container and the sampling procedures prescribed in paragraphs 6 and 7 of this Part of this Schedule shall be used.

Sampling from small containers – moisture-proof containers

9

When seed is in moisture-proof containers the opened or pierced containers shall be adequately closed or the residues from sampling transferred to new containers.

Sampling from small containers – primary samples

10

When seed is in packets of 100 grams or less each packet may be considered as a primary sample and sufficient packets shall be taken at random to obtain a submitted sample.

Sampling from large containers

11

For the sampling of containers holding at least 100 kilograms of seed, primary samples shall be taken from different horizontal and vertical positions selected at random and the minimum number of primary samples to be taken shall be in accordance with the following table–

Sampling of seed lots intended to be Excepted Seed Marketed in Bulk

12

Random sampling of seed lots of seed which is intended to be Excepted Seed Marketed in Bulk shall be carried out in accordance with the requirements of this Schedule during the filling of the container used by the final consumer and into which the seed is placed.

Sampling from a seed stream

13

Primary samples may be drawn from a seed stream during processing using an automatic sampling device, which shall uniformly sample the entire cross-section of the seed stream when a sample is taken. Primary samples of seed shall be taken at regular intervals throughout the processing of the seed lot using the same sampling intensity as specified in paragraph 11 of this Part of this Schedule.

Sampling instruments – general

14

Sampling instruments shall be capable of sampling all parts of the seed lot.

Sampling instruments – instruments and methods

15

Subject to paragraph 16 of this Part of this Schedule, one of the instruments described in paragraph 17 of this Part of this Schedule shall be used, as appropriate to the location of the seed, to draw primary samples in accordance with the relevant methods described in paragraphs 18 and 19 of this Part of this Schedule.

Sampling instruments – power to allow other instruments and methods

16

Where it is not practicable to use any of the instruments described in paragraph 17 of this Part of this Schedule in accordance with the relevant methods described in paragraphs 18 and 19 of this Part of this Schedule, another instrument or method may be used with the written approval of the Scottish Ministers.

Sampling instruments – instruments for drawing primary samples

17

The instruments referred to in paragraph 15 of this Part of this Schedule, to be used for drawing primary samples are as follows–

Dynamic spear sampleraSubject to paragraph 14 of this Part of this Schedule, a dynamic spear sampler may be used, in accordance with the methods described in paragraph 19(a) of this Part of this Schedule, for sampling seed lots in sacks or small containers. It shall be a hollow, cylindrical, solid-pointed metal spear or trier which shall be long enough to reach beyond the middle of the sack from the side and shall have an aperture so positioned that portions of seed of equal volume are removed from each part of the sack through which it travels. In sampling seed lots of the species specified in column 1 of the following table a dynamic spear sampler shall have a point length (a), shoulder length (b), boss length (c), aperture length (d), aperture width (e), bore width (f) and outside diameter (g) as shown in the diagrams below of dimensions no smaller than those specified in the corresponding entries in the table–Dimensions in millimetresSpecies of Seed for which dynamic spear sampler can be usedPoint lengthShoulder lengthBoss lengthAperture lengthAperture widthBore widthOutside diameter(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)All legumes other than sainfoin, field pea, field bean, lupins and vetches. Meadowgrasses, brown top, creeping bent, red top, velvet bent, Timothy, fodder kale, fodder radish and swede.42782081012Ryegrasses, festulolium, fescues, cocksfoot, tall oatgrass, rescue grass, Alaska brome-grass, sainfoin and field pea.85121033111315Field bean, lupins and vetches.82121340151719[image omitted]

Stick samplersbA stick sampler of one of the types described in sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) may, subject to sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii), be used if it has an aperture or apertures of sufficient size to allow the unrestricted entry of seed and other particles and is capable of being opened and closed during the sampling procedure as appropriate to the method of use described in paragraph 19(b) of this Part of this Schedule.iSingle chamber typeSubject to paragraph 14 of this Part of this Schedule, a single chamber type stick sampler may be used to sample seed lots in open sacks or in large containers. In sampling seed lots in open sacks or in large containers, as specified in column 1 of the following table, a single chamber type stick sampler shall have a point length (a), shoulder length (b), sliding sleeve length (c), aperture length (d), aperture width (e) and bore width (f), as shown in the diagrams below, of the dimensions specified in the corresponding entries in the table, or such other dimensions as the Scottish Ministers may approve in writing–Column 1Dimensions in millimetresType of ContainerPoint lengthShoulder lengthSliding sleeve lengthAperture lengthAperture widthBore width(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)Seed lots in sacks552575502225Seed lots in large containers or seed in bulk10039063502230[image omitted]iiMulti-chamber typeSubject to paragraph 14 of this Part of this Schedule, a multi chamber type stick sampler may be used to sample seed lots in sacks or any other containers. The apertures shall open into chambers which shall be separated from one another by transverse partitions. The contents of each chamber shall be regarded as a primary sample. The multi-chamber type stick sampler shall have a point length (a), shoulder length (b), aperture length (c), aperture width (d), aperture separation distance (e) and bore width (f), as shown in the diagram below, of the dimensions specified in the following table or such other dimensions as the Scottish Ministers may approve in writing–Dimensions in millimetresPoint lengthShoulder lengthAperture lengthAperture widthAperture separation distanceBore width(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)60501001511025[image omitted]