Explanatory note

In addition to some minor and drafting amendments, these Regulations, which further amend the Oil and Fibre Plant Seeds Regulations 1985, implement article 5 of Council Directive 88/380/EEC (OJ No. L187, 16.7.88, p.31) insofar as it amends article 2 and Annexes I and II of Council Directive 69/208/EEC (OJ No. L169, 10.7.69, p.3) (OJ/SE 1969(ii), p.315) (as amended) on marketing of seeds of oil and fibre plants to the extent that hybrids of sunflower are added to the list of seeds to which the Regulations apply (regulation 2(2), (4), (5) and (6)).

Article 2 of Commission Directive 86/109/EEC (OJ No. L93, 8.4.86, p.21) is implemented to the extent that brown mustard is deleted from the list of seeds to which the “Commercial Seed” category applied (regulation 2(2)).

Article 5.12 of Council Directive 88/380/EEC is implemented insofar as it amends article 14 of Council Directive 69/208/EEC to the extent that seeds produced and packaged but not officially certified in another Member State may be imported into the United Kingdom but shall not be marketed in the United Kingdom until they have been officially certified by or on behalf of the Minister (regulation 2(3)).

Article 4 of Commission Directive 87/120/EEC (OJ No. L49, 18.2.87, p.39) is implemented insofar as it amends article 2 of Council Directive 69/208/EEC by amending the botanical names used to those recognised internationally (regulation 2(4)).

Article 2 of Commission Directive 87/480/EEC (OJ No. L273, 26.9.87, p.43) is implemented insofar as it amends Annex II of Council Directive 69/208/EEC to the extent that it improves the standards to be satisfied in respect of the maximum content of seed ofRumex spp (regulation 2(7)).

Article 5.10 and 5.19–23 of Council Directive 88/380/EEC is implemented insofar as it amends article 13 and Annex IV of Council Directive 69/208/EEC by providing that the particulars relating to kind and variety of seed on official labels must be in roman characters and that the kind of seed must be designated by its Latin name (regulation 2(9)) and requiring the components of hybrid or inbred lines to be indicated on official labels (regulation 2(10)).