Explanatory note

These Regulations consolidate, with amendments, the provisions of the Beet Seeds Regulations 1985, as amended.

The Regulations which come into force on 1st September 1993, continue to restrict themarketing in Great Britain of beet seeds to specified categories meeting prescribed standards (regulations 3(3), 5(1) and Schedule 4), to require such seeds to be sold in sealedpackages labelled or marked with prescribed particulars (regulations 8 and 9 and Schedule6) and to make tampering with labels prescribed by regulations an offence (regulation 9(12)). The Regulations also continue to make provision for the taking of samples for theverification of standards (regulation 7 and Schedule 5) and provide that certain particularsstated or implied on a package of seeds are deemed to constitute a statutory warranty bythe seller for the protection of the purchaser for the purpose of section 17 of the PlantVarieties and Seeds Act 1964 (regulation 10(1)).

The consolidation incorporates a provision required under Council Directive 88/380/EEC (OJ No. L187, 16.7.88, p. 31), and previously dealt with by a General Licence under Regulation 5(3)(d) of the 1985 Regulations. This relates to the marketing to other MemberStates of seed in respect of which an official certificate has not been issued (regulation 5(12) and Schedule 6 Part IC).

The Regulations implement Council Directive 66/400/EEC (OJ No. L125, 11.7.66, p.2290) (OJ/SE 1965-66, p. 143) on the marketing of beet seed as amended.