The Fodder Plant Seeds Regulations 1993

Made: 11th August 1993

Laid before Parliament: 11th August 1993

Coming into force: 1st September 1993

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Wales, acting jointly, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 16(1), (1A), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (8), 17(1), (2), (3), and (4) and 36 of the Plant Varieties and Seeds Act 1964[^f00001] and now vested in them[^f00002] and of all other powers enabling them in that behalf, after consultation in accordance with the said section 16(1) with representatives of such interests as appear to them to be concerned, hereby make the following Regulations:—

Title, extent and commencement

1

These Regulations may be cited as the Fodder Plant Seeds Regulations 1993, shall apply to Great Britain and shall come into force on 1st September 1993.

Revocation of previous regulations

2

The Fodder Plant Seeds Regulations 1985[^f00003], the Fodder Plant Seeds (Amendment) Regulations 1987[^f00004], the Fodder Plant Seeds (Amendment) Regulations 1989[^f00005], the Fodder Plant Seeds (Amendment) Regulations 1990[^f00006], the Fodder Plant Seeds (Amendment) Regulations 1991[^f00007] and the Fodder Plant Seeds (Amendment) Regulations 1992[^f00008] are hereby revoked.

Interpretation

3

• (1) In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires—

• “the Act” means the Plant Varieties and Seeds Act 1964;

• “Common Catalogue” means the Common Catalogue of varieties of kinds of agricultural plants published in the Official Journal of the European Communities;

• “Higher Voluntary Standard” means the standards which— are higher than the minimum standards prescribed for Certified Seed, and are specified in Part II of Schedule 4, being the standards and the level in respect of which an official certificate has been issued in accordance with Schedule 2;

• “maintainer” means a person who is indicated in a National List or in the Common Catalogue as responsible for maintaining a plant variety in accordance with the characteristics to which regard was had when the plant variety was entered in the List or the Common Catalogue;

• “marketing”includes the offer for sale, exposure for sale, sand and possession with a view to sale of seeds and any transaction in the course of business— under which the property in seeds is transferred from one person to another, or under which the seeds are made over by one person to another in pursuance of a contract under which the seeds will be used for producing further seeds or for producing plants or parts of plants for human or animal consumption, and “market” and “marketed” shall be construed accordingly;

• “Member State” means, a Member State of the Community;

• “the Minister” means, as respects England, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and, as respects Scotland or Wales, the Secretary of State and “the Ministers” means the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Wales acting jointly;

• “National List” means a list of varieties of kinds of fodder plants for the time being published in accordance with the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982[^f00009];

• “official certificate” means a certificate issued by the Minister in accordance with Schedule 2 subject to the payment of any fees payable under seeds regulations and containing in respect of the seed to which it relates the particulars specified in Schedule 3 and “officially certified” shall be construed accordingly;

• “official examination” means— an examination carried out by or on behalf of the Minister, subject to an application for such examination having been made to the Minister in such form and manner and at such time as the Minister may, at his discretion, require and to the payment of any fees payable under seeds regulations, or an examination carried out by or on behalf of the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland, or in relation to seeds produced elsewhere than in the United Kingdom, an examination approved by the Minister;

• “official label” means a label issued or authorised by the Minister, subject to the payment of any fees payable under seeds regulations, and “official inner label” shall be construed accordingly;

• “seed lot” means an identifiable consignment of seeds of a weight not exceeding that specified in Part II of Schedule 5, bearing a unique reference number in which the seeds shall have been so mixed or blended that, as far as is practicable, the seed lot shows no evidence of heterogeneity;

• “seeds regulations” means regulations made under section 16 of the Act and for the time being in force;

• “small package” means a package of seeds containing a net weight of not more than 15 kilograms of Pre-basic Seed, Basic Seed or a mixture of seeds for agricultural use;

• “small EEC A package” means a package of seeds containing a net weight of not more than 2 kilograms of a mixture of seeds not intended for agricultural use;

• “small EEC B package” means a package of seeds containing a net weight of not more than 10 kilograms of Certified Seed or Commercial Seed or, where the package is not a small EEC A package, a mixture of seeds not intended for agricultural use.

• (2) A reference in these Regulations to a numbered regulation or Schedule shall be construed as a reference to the regulation or Schedule bearing that number in these Regulations.

• (3) In these Regulations—

• “Breeder’s Seed” means seeds of a generation earlier than that of Basic Seed— which have been produced by or under the responsibility of the maintainer carrying out in the United Kingdom the duties of a maintainer set out in regulation 19 of the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982, which are intended for the production of Pre-basic Seed, or with the written authority of the Minister, of Basic Seed, and which satisfy the requirements for Basic Seed set out in Schedule 4 and in respect of which an official certificate has been issued in accordance with Schedule 2;

• “Pre-basic Seed” means seeds of a generation earlier than that of Basic Seed— which have been produced directly from Breeder’s Seed or Pre-basic Seed by or under the responsibility of the maintainer, which are intended for the production of Pre-basic Seed, Basic Seed or, with the written authority of the maintainer and the Minister, of Certified Seed or Certified Seed of the First or Second Generations, and which satisfy the requirements for Basic Seed set out in Schedule 4 and in respect of which an official certificate has been issued in accordance with Schedule 2;

• “Basic Seed” means seeds— which have been produced— by or under the responsibility of the maintainer from Pre-basic Seed or, with the written authority of the Minister, from Breeder’s Seed, or under the supervision of the Minister from seeds recognised by him to be of a local variety and grown within a particular clearly defined area, which are intended for the production of Certified Seed or Certified Seed of the First or Second Generations, and which satisfy the requirements for Basic Seed set out in Schedule 4 and in respect of which an official certificate has been issued in accordance with Schedule 2;

• “Certified Seed” means seeds, other than of field peas or field beans, of the kinds set out in Schedule 1— which have been produced directly from Basic Seed or, with the written authority of the maintainer and the Minister, from Pre-basic Seed, which are intended for the production of plants, and which satisfy the requirements for Certified Seed set out in Schedule 4 and in respect of which an official certificate has been issued in accordance with Schedule 2;

• “Certified Seed of the First Generation” means seeds of field peas or field beans— which have been produced directly from Basic Seed or, with the written authority of the maintainer and the Minister, from Pre-basic Seed, which are intended for the production of Certified Seed of the Second Generation or for the production of plants, and which satisfy the requirements for Certified Seed of the First Generation set out in Schedule 4 and in respect of which an official certificate has been issued in accordance with Schedule 2;

• “Certified Seed of the Second Generation” means seeds of field peas or field beans— which have been produced directly from Basic Seed, Certified Seed of the First Generation or, with the written authority of the maintainer and the Minister, from Pre-basic Seed, which are intended for the production of plants, and which satisfy the requirements for Certified Seed of the Second Generation set out in Schedule 4 and in respect of which an official certificate has been issued in accordance with Schedule 2;

• “Commercial Seed” means seeds of the following kinds— GrassesLegumes Annual meadowgrassSainfoin Hungarian vetch which are identifiable as to their kind, and which satisfy the requirements for Commercial Seed set out Schedule 4 and in respect of which an official certificate has been issued in accordance with Schedule 2.

• (4) For the purposes of these Regulations, seeds marketed in accordance with regulation 5(1)(b)(ii) or (iii) below shall be deemed to fall within the meaning of the appropriate category of seeds set out in paragraph (3) above.

Seeds to which the regulations apply

4

• (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) below, these Regulations apply to fodder plant seeds of the kinds set out in Schedule 1, being seeds intended to be used only for the production of agricultural crops or for amenity purposes.

• (2) These Regulations shall not apply to—

• (a) seeds which are marketed for delivery elsewhere than in a Member State,

• (b) seeds used or to be used for research or experiment,

• (c) seeds used or to be used in the course of a process of selection, and

• (d) seeds which are marketed with a view to processing, treatments or cleaning, where the identity of the seeds is stated by the person by whom they are marketed.

• (3) Where a person (“the first person”) makes an arrangement under which some other person (“the second person”) uses seeds which are under the control of the first person for the purpose of—

• (a) increasing the first person’s stock of seeds for sowing, or

• (b) carrying out tests or trials thereon,

and under that arrangement the whole of the material produced from the seeds (whether directly or indirectly) and any unused seeds become or remain the property of the first person, these Regulations shall not apply to the marketing of the seeds by the first person to the second person as part of that arrangement or to the marketing by the second person to the first person of seeds produced (directly or indirectly) from those seeds.

Marketing of seeds

5

• (1) Subject to the provisions of this regulation, no person shall market any seeds unless they are marketed in seed lots or in parts of seed lots and unless they are—

• (a) Commercial seed, or

• (b) seeds of plant varieties which may, for the time being, be marketed in accordance with regulation 31 of the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982 and which are—

• (i) Breeder’s Seed, Pre-basic Seed, Basic Seed, Certified Seed, Certified Seed of the First Generation or Certified Seed of the Second Generation, or

• (ii) seeds which have been produced and packaged in a Member State other than the United Kingdom, which have been labelled appropriately in accordance with the requirements of regulation 9(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), and (13) and which

• in the case of a small package of seeds, a small EEC A package of seeds or a small EEC B package of seeds, have been sealed in accordance with the requirements of regulation 8(3), or

• in the case of all other seeds, have been officially sealed in a Member State other than the United Kingdom, or

• (iii) seeds which have been produced elsewhere than in a Member State and which are marketed in accordance with, and subject to, the conditions imposed by a general licence granted by the Ministers under the authority of this paragraph, which licence shall have effect during the period specified in it unless the Ministers earlier revoke it.

• (2) Paragraph (1) above shall not prevent the marketing of—

• (a) a mixture of kinds or varieties of seeds to which these Regulations apply, or

• (b) a mixture of kinds or varieties of seeds to which these Regulations apply and any other seeds meeting the requirements of the seeds regulations (if any) pertaining to those seeds,

but each constituent of such mixtures, to which these Regulations apply, shall consist of seeds meeting the requirements of paragraph (1) above.

• (3) The Minister may, by a general or specific licence which may impose conditions and which shall have effect during the period specified in it unless the Minister earlier revokes it,—

• (a) authorise any person to market as Breeder’s Seed, Pre-Basic Seed, Basic Seed, Certified Seed, Certified Seed of the First Generation, Certified Seed of the Second Generation, or Commercial Seed, seeds which fail in some respect to satisfy the requirements for such seeds set out in Schedule 4, or Schedule 5 or to market seed under licence as Commercial Seed where it is so indicated in Schedule 4 Part II,

• (b) modify the labelling requirements set out in Schedule 6,

• (c) authorise any person to market seeds which, notwithstanding the requirements of the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982, are of a variety not entered in a National List or in the Common Catalogue,

• (d) authorise any person to market seeds in respect of which an official certificate has not been issued in accordance with paragraph 1 of Schedule 2,

• (e) authorise any person to market seeds of any kind other than field peas or field beans as Certified Seed of the Second Generation or seeds of any kind as Certified Seed of the Third Generation,

but in all other respects, unless expressly otherwise stated in the licence, the provisions of these Regulations shall apply in relation to the marketing of the seeds.

• (4) Any person may market to a person engaged in the business of trading in seeds, other than by way of retail sale, seeds which have been imported from a country other than a Member State notwithstanding that such marketing would otherwise be prohibited by virtue of paragraph (1)(b)(iii) above.

• (5) Notwithstanding the requirement in Part II of Schedule 4 that Basic Seed shall attain the minimum standards of germination specified in the said Schedule any person may, subject to the requirements of regulation 9(3), market as Pre-basic Seed or Basic Seed, seeds which in other respects satisfy the requirements for Basic Seed set out in the said Scheduleand in respect of which an official certificate has been issued in accordance with Schedule 2but which attain a lower percentage of germination than that specified in Schedule 4 in relation to seeds of that kind.

• (6) In a case where the official examination in respect of the germination of any seed lot has not been completed, but a preliminary test of germination has shown that the seeds attain the appropriate minimum standard of germination specified in Part II of Schedule 4 and the seeds in other respects satisfy the appropriate requirements of the said Schedule, the seed lot or any part of the seed lot, may, subject to the requirements of paragraph (8) below and regulations 8 and 9 be marketed. In the event of any such marketing the seller of the seeds shall, upon or before delivery, provide the purchaser with a written statement that the seeds are marketed before the completion of the official germination test together with the result of the preliminary test of germination. In the event of the official germination test showing the failure of the seeds to comply with the minimum germination standard required by paragraph 5 of Part II of Schedule 4 for seeds of that kind, the seller shall provide the purchaser with the result of the completed test, in writing, as soon as practicable and in any event not later than seven days after being informed of it.

• (7) The provisions of paragraph (6) above shall not apply to the marketing of any seed lot or part of any seed lot in respect of which a previous official examination has shown that the seed fails to meet the standards set out for such seed in Part II of Schedule 4.

• (8) A person who sells any seeds in accordance with paragraph (6) above shall make, and, during a period of twelve months following the delivery of the seeds, keep available for inspection by an officer of the Minister a record of the date of such delivery, of the reference number of the seed lot delivered, of the name and address of the purchaser, of the date on which the preliminary test of germination was carried out and of the result of that test, and if appropriate, of the date on which the purchaser was informed of the result of the completed official germination test.

• (9) Paragraphs (5) and (6) above shall not apply to seeds which have been imported from a country other than a Member State unless they have been produced directly from Pre-Basic Seed, Basic Seed or Certified Seed of the First Generation produced in a Member State.

• (10) Where seeds are sampled for the official examination referred to in paragraph 2(c) of Schedule 2 in a untreated state and are subsequently subjected to chemical treatment the seller shall, upon or before delivering the seeds to the purchaser, provide him with a statement in writing that the seeds have been subsequently subjected to chemical treatment and specifying the chemical nature of such treatment.

• (11) Where in the course of the marketing of any seeds it is stated or indicated in any label or notice affixed to, contained in or marked on any package of seeds or in any document accompanying the seeds, that the seeds attain the Higher Voluntary Standard, those seeds shall be required to meet the appropriate standards prescribed in Part II of Schedule 4, and the person marketing the seeds shall be deemed to state for the purposes of these Regulations and in relation to the particulars given to a purchaser that the seeds attain the said Higher Voluntary Standard.

• (12) Any mixture of seeds to which the provisions of paragraph (11) above relate shall be required to meet the appropriate standards prescribed in seeds regulations in respect of all its constituent parts.

• (13) Where Certified Seed marketed in accordance with paragraph (1)(b)(ii) or (iii) above has been verified by the Minister as having attained the appropriate Higher Voluntary Standard such seeds may be marketed as having attained this standard; and for the purposes of this paragraph seeds shall be deemed, subject to the payment of any fees payable under seeds regulations, to have been verified by the Minister as having attained the appropriate Higher Voluntary Standard if an application for verification has been made to the Minister in such form and manner and containing such information and accompanied by such documents, as the Minister may require.

• (14) In paragraph (3)(e) above “Certified Seed of the Third Generation” means seeds—

• (a) which have been produced directly from Basic Seed, Certified Seed, Certified Seed of the First or Second Generation, or, with the written authority of the maintainer and the Minister, from Pre-Basic Seed, and

• (b) which are intended for the production of plants.

• (15) Seeds which have been produced and packaged in a Member State other than the United Kingdom, notwithstanding that they have not been officially certified as Certified Seed in that Member State, may be imported but shall not be marketed in the United Kingdom until they have been officially certified in the United Kingdom.

• (16) Seeds which have been produced from Basic Seed, Certified Seed or Generations prior to Basic Seed which have been officially certified in the United Kingdom and which have undergone field inspections and satisfied the conditions for the appropriate category laid down in Part I of Schedule 4 may be marketed to Member States other than the United Kingdom notwithstanding that they have not been officially certified as Certified Seed. Such seed shall be packed and labelled with official labels and be accompanied by an official document complying with the conditions laid down in Schedule 6 Part IG and in accordance with the provisions laid down in regulations 8 and 9.

Official certificates

6

• (1) An application for the issue of an official certificate in respect of a seed lot of Breeder’s Seed, Pre-basic Seed, Basic Seed, Certified Seed, Certified Seed of the First Generation, Certified Seed of the Second Generation, or Commercial Seed—

• (a) shall be made in writing to the Minister in such form and manner, and shall be accompanied by such documents, as the Minister may require, and

• (b) shall be made—

• (i) in respect of field peas and field beans not later than the fifteenth day of March of the second year following the year of harvest of the crop from which the seed lot is obtained, and

• (ii) in respect of all other seeds not later than the thirty-first day of December of the year following the year of harvest of the crop from which the seed lot is obtained,

or, in either case, within such other time as the Minister may allow.

• (2) Where an application for the issue of an official certificate is made to the Minister in accordance with paragraph (1) above the Minister shall deal with the application in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 2.

• (3) An official certificate which has been issued by the Minister may be withdrawn by him in respect of either the whole of a seed lot or any part of a seed lot and any seeds from which an official certificate has been so withdrawn shall be deemed not to have been officially certified if—

• (a) the results of an official examination of the seeds in respect of which theofficial certificate has been issued are declared null and void in accordance withparagraph (2) of regulation 7, or

• (b) information has been received by him which, if known to him before the official certificate was issued, would have resulted in the application for its issue being refused on the grounds that the seeds did not meet the requirements of seeds regulations.

• (4) Where, in accordance with paragraph (3) above, seeds are deemed not to have been officially certified the seller of the seeds shall, as soon as practicable and in any case not later than 7 days after being informed of it, notify the purchaser, in writing, that the seeds have not been officially certified.

Sampling

7

• (1) A sample of seeds taken for the purposes of an official examination shall be taken, subject to the payment of any fees payable under seeds regulations, by a person authorised by the Minister in that behalf and in accordance with the requirements contained in Schedule 5.

• (2) If a sample of seeds taken for the purposes of an official examination is found not to have been taken in accordance with the requirements of seeds regulations no, or no further, official examination shall be made of that sample, and any findings or results obtained in the course of any official examination of the sample of seeds already made shall be deemed null and void.

Sealing of packages

8

• (1) No person shall market in accordance with regulation 5(1)(b)(i) or (2) a package (other than a small package, a small EEC A package or a small EEC B package) of Breeder’s Seed, Pre-basic Seed, Basic Seed, Certified Seed, Certified Seed of the First Generation, Certified Seed of the Second Generation, Commercial Seed or a mixture of seeds unless it has been, not later than at the time of sampling, sealed by or under the supervision of a person authorised by the Minister in that behalf in such a manner that when the package is opened the sealing device will be broken and cannot be re-used.

• (2) If a package of seeds which has been sealed in accordance with paragraph (1) above or imported in accordance with regulation 5(1)(b)(ii) or (iii) shall have been opened it may not be re-sealed or further re-sealed except by or under the supervision of a person authorised by the Minister in that behalf.

• (3) No person shall market a small package, a small EEC A package or a small EEC B package in accordance with regulation 5(1)(b)(i) or (2) unless it has been sealed with a sealing device in such a manner that when the package is opened the sealing device is broken and cannot be re-used.

• (4) If a small EEC A package or a small EEC B package which has been sealed in accordance with paragraph (3) above or imported in accordance with regulation 5(1)(b)(ii) shall have been opened it may not be re-sealed or further re-sealed except by or under the supervision of a person authorised by the Minister in that behalf.

Labelling of packages

9

• (1) Subject to paragraph (7) below, no person shall market any seeds in accordance with regulation 5(1)(a), (b)(i) or (2) except in a package which, not later than at the time of sealing, is labelled, inscribed or otherwise dealt with in accordance with this regulation.

• (2) A package (other than a small package, a small EEC A package or a small EEC B package) of Breeder’s Seed, Pre-basic Seed, Basic Seed, Certified Seed, Certified Seed of the First Generation, Certified Seed of the Second Generation, Commercial Seed or a mixture of seeds shall have affixed on the outside an official label containing, as appropriate to the seeds, particulars of the matters specified, and being of at least the size and of the colour also specified in Part I of Schedule 6, which shall be either an adhesive label or a label secured to the package by a sealing device approved by the Minister and shall be affixed (in either case) by or under the supervision of a person authorised by the Minister in that behalf.

• (3) If in accordance with regulation 5(5) a person shall market any Pre-basic Seed or Basic Seed of a lower percentage of germination than that specified in Schedule 4 the fact shall be stated on the official label or included in the particulars printed or stamped on the package in accordance with paragraph (6) of this regulation and a supplier’s label affixed to the outside of the package shall contain a statement of the germination of the seeds together with the name and address of the seller and the reference number of the lot.

• (4) A person who markets a package (other than a small package, a small EEC A package or a small EEC B package) containing a mixture of seeds shall, with the seeds or not later than 14 days after the sale or delivery (whichever is the later) of the seeds, give to the purchaser a statement in writing, on a label attached to the package, on the package itself or on an invoice or other document associated with the seeds, containing particulars of the further matters relating to the seeds to which these Regulations apply, specified in Part I F of Schedule 6.

• (5) A package (other than a small package, a small EEC A package or a small EEC B package) of Breeder’s Seed, Pre-basic Seed, Basic Seed, Certified Seed, Certified Seed of the First Generation, Certified Seed of the Second Generation, Commercial Seed or a mixture of seeds shall contain an official inner label which shall be of the same colour as, and in addition to, the official label affixed to the outside of the package in accordance with paragraph (2) above. The official inner label shall contain particulars of the reference number of the lot and of the kind or, in the case of a mixture, of the proprietary name of the mixture or of the kinds of the constitutents, and, in the case of Breeder’s Seed, Pre-basic Seed, Basic Seed, Certified Seed, Certified Seed of the First Generation, Certified Seed of the Second Generation of the variety and, in the case of Commercial Seed, of the matter specified in item 2 of Part I D of Schedule 6; except that if such particulars are printed indelibly on the outside of the package or if the official label is an adhesive or a tear-resistant label the official inner label referred to in this paragraph shall not be required.

• (6) Notwithstanding paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) above, a package of field beans or field peas (other than a small package) of Basic Seed, Certified Seed, Certified Seed of the First Generation or Certified Seed of the Second Generation may be marketed if—

• (a) the appropriate particulars of the matters specified in Part I of Schedule 6 are printed or stamped indelibly on the package in a panel of at least the size and of the colour so specified, and

• (b) the requirements of Part IV of that Schedule are satisfied.

• (7) A small package of seeds shall have affixed on the outside a label containing, as appropriate to the seeds, particulars of the matters specified and being of the colour also specified in Part II of Schedule 6; except that if such particulars are printed indelibly on the outside of the package the said label shall not be required.

• (8) A person who markets a small package containing a mixture of seeds for use for agricultural purposes shall, with the seeds or not later than 14 days after the sale or delivery (whichever is the later) of the seeds, give to the purchaser a statement in writing, on a label attached to the package, on the package itself or on an invoice or other document associated with the seeds, containing particulars of the matters relating to the seeds to which these Regulations apply specified in Part I F of Schedule 6.

• (9) A small EEC A package and a small EEC B package, shall have affixed to the outside either a label, a printed notice or a stamp containing, as appropriate to the seeds, particulars of the matters specified in Part II of Schedule 6; except that if the packaging material is transparent a label containing the said particulars may be placed inside the package in such a manner as to be clearly legible from the outside.

• (10) If a package of seeds shall have been re-sealed in accordance with regulation 8(2) above this fact shall be stated on the official label, together with the month and year of re-sealing and the name of the authority responsible for the re-sealing.

• (11) If any seeds have been subjected to any chemical treatment this fact and the nature of the treatment or the proprietary name of the chemical used in the treatment shall be stated either—

• (a) on a separate supplier’s label, or

• (b) on the label referred to in paragraph (2), (3), (4), (7), (8) or (9) above or, where such a label is not required, with the particulars otherwise given in accordance with those paragraphs,

and also, except where the label referred to in paragraph (2), (7), (8) or (9) above is not required or where the information prescribed by this paragraph is given on an adhesive or tear-resistant label, either on the outside of the package or in a statement enclosed in the package.

• (12) A person may sell any seeds otherwise than in a package which is labelled, inscribed or otherwise dealt with in accordance with this regulation where—

• (a) the seeds are sold by way of retail sale in a quantity not exceeding the appropriate maximum weight specified in Schedule 7, and

• (b) the seeds are taken, in the presence of the purchaser, from a container on which there is clearly and visibly marked or near which there is clearly and visibly displayed a statement containing particulars of the matters specified in Part III of Schedule 6.

• (13) The particulars and information given in accordance with this regulation shall be given in one of the official languages of the Community.

• (14) Subject to the provisions of the Act and of these Regulations, no person shall, in the course of the marketing or the preparation for marketing of any seeds by himself or by any other person, wilfully reproduce, remove, alter, deface, conceal or misuse in any way any label affixed to, contained in or marked on any package of seeds or which is to be so affixed, contained or marked.

Civil liabilities of sellers of seeds

10

• (1) The particulars given to a purchaser by the seller of seeds to which these Regulations apply, whether given in pursuance of these Regulations expressly or by implication arising from the description under which the seeds are sold, shall constitute a statutory warranty for the purpose of section 17 of the Act in so far as they relate to the category of the seeds, the level of the seeds, the percentage germination of the seeds, the percentage analytical purity of the seeds, the content of seeds of other plant species, and, as appropriate, the varietal identity and the varietal purity of the seeds or, in the case of a mixture of seeds permitted by regulation 5(2), of each of its constituents to which these Regulations apply.

• (2) Section 17(2) of the Act shall apply to any particulars given to a purchaser by the seller of seeds, being particulars given or implied as in paragraph (1) above, in so far as they relate to the percentage germination, the percentage analytical purity, or the content of seeds of other plant species and there are hereby prescribed in respect of such matters the limits of variation set out in Schedule 8.

• (3) Section 17(3) of the Act shall apply to any particulars given to a purchaser by the seller of seeds, being particulars given or implied as in paragraph (1) above, in so far as they relate to the percentage germination, the percentage analytical purity or the content of seeds of other plant species.

• (4) A purchaser who intends to obtain a test of seeds for the purposes of section 17(3) of the Act shall, not more than 10 days after delivery to him of the seeds or of the particulars prescribed in regulation 9(4) or (7) (whichever is the later), give to the seller written notice of his intention and thereupon the seller may indicate a day (not being more than 21 days after the delivery of the seeds or of the said particulars, whichever is the later, to the purchaser) and a reasonable time on that day at which a sample of the seeds may be taken in the presence of himself or his representative and the purchaser shall afford to the seller reasonable facilities for that purpose.

• (5) On the day and at the time appointed by the seller in accordance with paragraph (4) above or, if the seller shall have failed to appoint such a day and time, on a day not more than 28 days after delivery of the seeds or of the said particulars (whichever is the later) to the purchaser, the purchaser or his representative may, and if the seller or his representative is present shall, take a sample of the seeds. Such sample shall be taken and divided by the purchaser or his representative into two parts in accordance with the requirements contained in Part I of Schedule 5, each part being of at least the appropriate minimum weight specified in Part II of Schedule 5, of which one part shall be sent to the Chief Officer of an official seed testing station for the purpose of being tested and the other part delivered or tendered to the seller or his representative or, if he or his representative was not present when the sample was taken, sent to him by post.

SCHEDULE 1 — KINDS OF SEEDS TO WHICH THE REGULATIONS APPLY

A

Gramineae(Grasses)

B

Leguminosae(Legumes)

C

Cruciferae(Crucifers)

SCHEDULE 2 — OFFICIAL CERTIFICATES

1

On receipt of an application made in accordance with regulation 6(1) for the issue of an official certificate in respect of a seed lot of Breeder’s Seed, Pre-basic Seed, Basic Seed, Certified Seed, Certified Seed of the First Generation, Certified Seed of the Second Generation or Commercial Seed, the Minister shall, subject to paragraph 2 and 3 below and to the payment of any fees payable under seeds regulations, issue in respect of such a seed lot an official certificate containing the particulars specified in Schedule 3.

2

The Minister shall refuse to issue an official certificate in respect of a seed lot unless—

• (a) an application has been made to the Minister, in such form and manner and at such time as he may require, for registration by him of—

• (i) the seed lot or seed lots to be used for the production of the crop or crops from which the seed lot is to be obtained, and

• (ii) the crop or crops from which the seed lot is to be obtained;

• (b) an official examination of the crop or crops from which the seed lot was obtained shall have shown that the crop or crops met the standards appropriate to the category and the level set out in Part I of Schedule 4; and

• (c) an official examination of a sample of the seed lot shall have shown that the seeds met the standards appropriate to the category and the level set out in Part II of Schedule 4;

except that—

• (i) paragraphs 2(a) and (b) above shall not apply in relation to an application for the issue of an official certificate in respect of Commercial Seed;

• (ii) paragraphs 2(a), (b) and (c) above shall not apply in relation to an application for the issue of an official certificate in respect of Breeder’s Seed where the seeds have been officially sampled for the purposes of official examination of a plot in accordance with paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 4, and where the seeds met the requirements set out in paragraph 3 of Part II of Schedule 4,

• (iii) paragraph 2(c) above, in so far as it relates to standards of germination set out in Part II of Schedule 4, shall not apply in relation to an application for the issue of an official certificate in respect of seeds which are marketed in accordance with and subject to the requirements of regulation 5(5), and

• (iv) the Minister shall issue an official certificate in respect of a seed lot marketed in accordance with, and subject to any conditions imposed by, a general licence granted by the Minister under regulation 5(3).

3

The Minister may refuse to issue an official certificate in respect of a seed lot if it appears to him that—

• (a) a sample of the seed lot taken for the purpose of an official examination in order toascertain whether the seed lot meets the appropriate standards set out in Part II of Schedule 4has not been taken in accordance with the requirements contained in Schedule 5;

• (b) an official examination of a plot sown with a sample of the seed lot sown in the field shows that the crop does not meet the appropriate standards set out in Part I of Schedule 4;

• (c) there has been any breach of seeds regulations in relation to the seed lot in respect of which application for an official certificate has been made.

SCHEDULE 3 — PARTICULARS TO BE SPECIFIED IN AN OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE

• *As appropriate.

SCHEDULE 4 — REQUIREMENTS FOR BASIC SEED, CERTIFIED SEED, CERTIFIED SEED OF THE FIRST AND SECOND GENERATIONS AND COMMERCIAL SEED

PART I

CONDITIONS RELATING TO CROPS FROM WHICH SEEDS OTHER THAN COMMERCIAL SEED ARE OBTAINED

1

So far as the Minister can ascertain them, by the use of methods which shall include official examination of the crop and which may, at such stages in the production of a variety as the Minister may require, include examination of a plot sown with a sample from the seed lot sown in the field and the consideration of any other relevant information, the requirements for the crop set out below shall be met.

Varietal identity and varietal purity

2

The characteristics for the determination of varietal identity and varietal purity shall be those recognised as those of the variety for the purposes of the National List or the Common Catalogue.

Crop inspections

3

The crop shall be officially examined in such manner and at such times (when the cultural condition of the field and the stage of development and condition of the crop are such as to permit suitable checks of varietal identity, varietal purity and species purity to be made) as the Minister may reasonably require.

Previous cropping

4

The crop may be grown only on land which has not previously been cropped in a manner which might adversely affect the nature or quality of the seeds to be produced and which complies with the Minister’s requirements in that respect.

Limitation of the number of harvest years

5

A crop to produce Pre-basic Seed, Basic Seed or Certified Seed of Italian ryegrass, and varieties of other kinds which are conducive to the establishment from shed seed of a high proportion of plants which themselves produce seeds, shall not be used to produce a crop in the second harvest year unless:—

• (a) Pre-basic Seed was produced in the first harvest year in which case Basic Seed may be produced, or

• (b) Basic Seed was produced in the first harvest year and the seed sown to produce the crop were Pre-basic Seed in which case Certified Seed may be produced.

Isolation distances

6

There shall be a physical barrier or at least 2 metres of fallow between the seed crops and any crop likely to cause contamination in the seed.

7

Field pea crops grown for the production of Pre-basic Seed, Basic Seed, Certified Seed of the First Generation or Certified Seed of the Second Generation shall be isolated by 50 metres, throughout their whole growing period, from all other pea crops not being grown for such production.

8

Throughout the period of flowering of the crop there shall be the following minimum distances from sources of undesirable pollen capable of fertilizing the crop:—

a Crucifers. Crops to produce—
Basic seed	400 metres
Certified Seed	200 metres
Crop Area	Crop Area
---	---
up to 2 hectares	over 2 hectares
b Field beans, Crops to produce—
Basic Seed and Certified Seed 1st generation	200m
Certified Seed 2nd generation	100m
c Other cross-fertilised species. Crops to product—
Basic Seed	200m
Certified Seed	100m

Standards for varietal purity

9

The crop shall have sufficient varietal identity and varietal purity. In particular the average level of the following impurities, by area or by number, as appropriate, shall not exceed—

IN CROPS TO PRODUCE	IN CROPS TO PRODUCE
Basic Seed	Certified Seed, Certified Seed of the First and Second Generations
a recognisable off-types of the same species in grasses and herbage legumes (including Italian or awned ryegrass in perennial ryegrass and perennial or awnless ryegrass in Italian ryegrass) other than smooth-stalked meadowgrass	1 plant in 50 sq m	1 plant in 10 sq m
b recognisable off-types of the same species in smooth-stalked meadowgrass other than apomictic uni-clonal varieties	1 plant in 20 sq m	4 plants in 10 sq m
c recognisable off-types of the same species in apomictic uni-clonal varieties of smooth-stalked meadowgrass	1 plant in 20 sq m	6 plants in 10 sq m
d recognisable off-types of the same species in field peas and field beans	0.3%	1%
e recognisable off-types of the same species in swede and fodder kale	0.3%	1%
f recognisable off-types of the same species in vetches, lupins and fodder radish	1 plant in 30 sq m	1 plant in 10 sq m
g plants (other than those classified as off-types) grown from shed seeds in grasses and herbage legumes	1% of seed heads in crop	No standard
h ryegrass in cocksfoot, meadow fescue, red fescue or tall fescue	1 plant in 50 sq m	1 plant in 10 sq m
i suckling clover (Trifolium dubium Sibth.) in white clover	1 plant in 50 sq m	1 plant in 10 sq m

PART II

CONDITIONS RELATING TO THE SEEDS

1

Basic Seed, Certified Seed and Certified Seed of the First and Second Generations shall possess the varietal identity and varietal purity specified in Part I; for apomictic uni-clonal varieties of smooth-stalked meadowgrass the minmum varietal purity shall be 99.7% for Basic Seed and 98% for Certified Seed.

2

For lucerne and red clover, Basic Seed and seeds entered for the Higher Voluntary Standard shall be effectively fumigated if stem eelworm (Ditylenchus dipsaci) is reported on official examination of the crop.

3

The seeds shall be of a satisfactory state of health in so far as seed-borne diseases and organisms affecting the seeds are concerned.

4

For each seed lot of Pre-basic Seed or Basic Seed of field beans, a minimum of 1,000 seeds and, for each seed lot of Certified Seed of the First Generation of field beans, a minimum of 500 seeds shall be officially examined for Ascochyta fabae and the level of infection shall not exceed 1 seed in 1,000 for Pre-basic Seed, 2 seeds in 1,000 for Basic Seed and 2 seeds in 500 for Certified Seed of the First Generation.

5

For each seed lot of Breeder’s Seed, Pre-basic Seed, Basic Seed and Certified Seed of the First Generation of field peas 1 kg shall be officially examined from a submitted sample of 2 kg thereof for the presence of Pseudomonas syringae p.v. pisi infection and the level of infection therefrom found to be nil.

6

The seeds shall comply with the following standards:—

Kind	Minimum germination (% by number of pure seeds or pure pellets)[^f01000]	Maximum hard seed content (% by number of pure seeds or pure pellets)	Minimum analytical purity (% by weight)	Maximum total content of seeds of other plant species (% by weight)	Maximum total content of seeds of other plant species (% by weight)	Maximum total content of seeds of other plant species (% by weight)
	All categories	All categories	All categories	Basic seed	Certified Seed, Certified Seed of the Firstand Second Generations	Commercial Seed
(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)	(7)
a All fresh and healthy seeds which do not germinate after pre-treatment shall be considered as seeds which have germinated.	a All fresh and healthy seeds which do not germinate after pre-treatment shall be considered as seeds which have germinated.	a All fresh and healthy seeds which do not germinate after pre-treatment shall be considered as seeds which have germinated.	a All fresh and healthy seeds which do not germinate after pre-treatment shall be considered as seeds which have germinated.	a All fresh and healthy seeds which do not germinate after pre-treatment shall be considered as seeds which have germinated.	a All fresh and healthy seeds which do not germinate after pre-treatment shall be considered as seeds which have germinated.	a All fresh and healthy seeds which do not germinate after pre-treatment shall be considered as seeds which have germinated.
b Up to the maximum content indicated in column (3), hard seeds present shall be considered as seeds capable of germination.	b Up to the maximum content indicated in column (3), hard seeds present shall be considered as seeds capable of germination.	b Up to the maximum content indicated in column (3), hard seeds present shall be considered as seeds capable of germination.	b Up to the maximum content indicated in column (3), hard seeds present shall be considered as seeds capable of germination.	b Up to the maximum content indicated in column (3), hard seeds present shall be considered as seeds capable of germination.	b Up to the maximum content indicated in column (3), hard seeds present shall be considered as seeds capable of germination.	b Up to the maximum content indicated in column (3), hard seeds present shall be considered as seeds capable of germination.
c For Commercial Seeds 97%.	c For Commercial Seeds 97%.	c For Commercial Seeds 97%.	c For Commercial Seeds 97%.	c For Commercial Seeds 97%.	c For Commercial Seeds 97%.	c For Commercial Seeds 97%.
d No Commercial Seed except under licence.	d No Commercial Seed except under licence.	d No Commercial Seed except under licence.	d No Commercial Seed except under licence.	d No Commercial Seed except under licence.	d No Commercial Seed except under licence.	d No Commercial Seed except under licence.
e The Standard for Commercial Seed applies to the kinds of seed listed in the definition of commercial seed:—Regulation 3(3). Footnote 4 applies to the remaining kinds.	e The Standard for Commercial Seed applies to the kinds of seed listed in the definition of commercial seed:—Regulation 3(3). Footnote 4 applies to the remaining kinds.	e The Standard for Commercial Seed applies to the kinds of seed listed in the definition of commercial seed:—Regulation 3(3). Footnote 4 applies to the remaining kinds.	e The Standard for Commercial Seed applies to the kinds of seed listed in the definition of commercial seed:—Regulation 3(3). Footnote 4 applies to the remaining kinds.	e The Standard for Commercial Seed applies to the kinds of seed listed in the definition of commercial seed:—Regulation 3(3). Footnote 4 applies to the remaining kinds.	e The Standard for Commercial Seed applies to the kinds of seed listed in the definition of commercial seed:—Regulation 3(3). Footnote 4 applies to the remaining kinds.	e The Standard for Commercial Seed applies to the kinds of seed listed in the definition of commercial seed:—Regulation 3(3). Footnote 4 applies to the remaining kinds.
Brown top	75		90	0.3	2.0	[^f01003]
Red top	80		90	0.3	2.0	[^f01003]
Other Agrostis spp	75		90	0.3	2.0	3.0[^f01003]
Tall oatgrass	80		90	0.3	3.0	4.0[^f01003]
Rescue grass	75		97	0.4	1.5	[^f01003]
Alaska brome-grass	75		97	0.4	1.5	[^f01003]
Sheep’s fescue	75		85	0.3	2.0	3.0[^f01003]
Poa spp. other than Poa pratensis	75		85	0.3	2.0	3.0[^f01004]
Birdsfoot trefoil	75[^f01001]	40	95	0.3	1.8	2.8
Narrow-leaved lupin (Blue lupin)	75[^f01001]	20	98[^f01002]	0.3	0.5	1.5
Other lupins	80[^f01001]	20	98[^f01002]	0.3	0.5	1.5[^f01004]
Trefoil	80[^f01001]	20	97	0.3	1.5	2.5
Alsike clover	80[^f01001]	20	97	0.3	1.5	2.5
Vetches	85[^f01001]	20	98[^f01002]	0.3	1.0	2.0[^f01004]
Swede	80		98	0.3	1.0	[^f01003]
Fodder kale	75		98	0.3	1.0	[^f01003]
Fodder radish	80		97	0.3	1.0	[^f01003]
Field pea	80		98	0.3	0.5	[^f01003]
Field bean	85[^f01001]	5	98	0.3	0.5	[^f01003]
Kind	Minimum germination (% by number of pure seeds or pure pellets)[^f01005]	Maximum hard seed content (% by number of pure seeds or pure pellets)	Minimum analytical purity (% by weight)	Minimum analytical purity (% by weight)	Maximum total content of seeds of other plant species (% by weight)	Maximum total content of seeds of other plant species (% by weight)
---	---	---	---	---	---	---
	Basic Seed and Certified Seed	Basic Seed and Certified Seed	Basic Seed and Certified Seed (minimum standard)	Certified Seed (Higher Voluntary Standard)	Basic seed	Certified Seed (minimum standard)
(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)	(7)
a All fresh and healthy seeds which do not germinate after pre-treatment shall be considered as seeds which have germinated.	a All fresh and healthy seeds which do not germinate after pre-treatment shall be considered as seeds which have germinated.	a All fresh and healthy seeds which do not germinate after pre-treatment shall be considered as seeds which have germinated.	a All fresh and healthy seeds which do not germinate after pre-treatment shall be considered as seeds which have germinated.	a All fresh and healthy seeds which do not germinate after pre-treatment shall be considered as seeds which have germinated.	a All fresh and healthy seeds which do not germinate after pre-treatment shall be considered as seeds which have germinated.	a All fresh and healthy seeds which do not germinate after pre-treatment shall be considered as seeds which have germinated.
b Up to the maximum content indicated in column (3), hard seeds present shall be considered as seeds capable of germination.	b Up to the maximum content indicated in column (3), hard seeds present shall be considered as seeds capable of germination.	b Up to the maximum content indicated in column (3), hard seeds present shall be considered as seeds capable of germination.	b Up to the maximum content indicated in column (3), hard seeds present shall be considered as seeds capable of germination.	b Up to the maximum content indicated in column (3), hard seeds present shall be considered as seeds capable of germination.	b Up to the maximum content indicated in column (3), hard seeds present shall be considered as seeds capable of germination.	b Up to the maximum content indicated in column (3), hard seeds present shall be considered as seeds capable of germination.
c Including Commercial Seed.	c Including Commercial Seed.	c Including Commercial Seed.	c Including Commercial Seed.	c Including Commercial Seed.	c Including Commercial Seed.	c Including Commercial Seed.
Perennial ryegrass	80		96	98	0.3	1.5
Italian ryegrass	75		96	98	0.3	1.5
Hybrid ryegrass	75		96	98	0.3	1.5
Cocksfoot	80		90	90	0.3	1.5
Timothy	80		96	98	0.3	1.5
Meadow fescue	80		95	98	0.3	1.5
Smooth-stalked meadowgrass	75		85	90	0.3	2.0
Red fescue	75		90	95	0.3	1.5
Festulolium	75		96	98	0.3	1.5
Tall fescue	80		95	98	0.3	1.5
Red clover	80[^f01006]	20	97	98	0.3	1.5
White clover	80[^f01006]	40	97	98	0.3	1.5
Sainfoin	75[^f01006],[^f01007]	20[^f01007]	95[^f01007]	98	0.3	2.5[^f01007]
Lucerne	80[^f01006]	40	97	98	0.3	1.5

7

The seeds shall also comply with the following standards where appropriate. Where number standards are indicated a sample of the size indicated in column 2 should be examined.