Explanatory note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend the Cereal Seed (Scotland) Regulations 2005, the Fodder Plant Seed (Scotland) Regulations 2005 and the Oil and Fibre Plant Seed (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (referred to collectively as “the principal Regulations”) in order to permit the marketing of Conservation Varieties, in implementation of Commission Directive 2008/62/EC. Seed of a Conservation Variety may only be marketed where the following are complied with–
it is included in the UK National List of plant varieties of agricultural plant species, as a Conservation Variety;
it descends from seed produced according to well defined practices for maintenance of the variety;
the seed has been harvested from a crop that has been produced in the region of origins and meets normal requirements for crops with the exception of the requirements in respect of minimum varietal purity and the requirements concerning official examination or examination under official supervision for avoidance of doubt, in the case of a Conservation Variety an official field inspection of the crop is not required;
the seed must satisfy certain requirements as are laid down in Schedule 4A of each of the respective principal Regulations;
seed of a Conservation Variety must be marketed in its region of origin and those who produce seed of a Conservation Variety must supply the Scottish Ministers with details in writing as to the size in hectares and the location of the area to be used to produce the seed;
Conservation Varieties are subject to quantative restrictions and accordingly these Regulations permit Scottish Ministers to specify the maximum amount of seed of a Conservation Variety which may be marketed in any growing season. Scottish Ministers may request in writing the amount and variety of the seed placed on the market during each growing season.
These Regulations permit Scottish Ministers to approve additional regions for seed production and marketing where the conditions in Article 11(1) of Commission Directive 2008/62/EC are met (regulations 5, 15 and 25).
These Regulations also make certain consequential amendments including–
the insertion of new definitions in the principal Regulations (regulations 3, 13, 23);
various amendments to the application of official certificates, sampling, sealing and labelling provisions (regulations 6, 8, 9, 16, 18, 19, 26, 28, and 29);
they also make minor amendments to provisions and cross-references in the principal Regulations.
These Regulations insert a new Schedule 4A in the principal Regulations. This Schedule lays down the requirements particular to Conservation Varieties in respect of official certificates; conditions relating to crops from which seed is obtained; conditions relating to seed of a Conservation Variety and examinations (regulations 10, 20, 30 and Schedules 1, 2 and 3).
A Regulatory Impact Assessment has been prepared in respect of these Regulations and copies have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. Copies may also be obtained from the Scottish Government Rural Directorate, Pentland House, 47 Robb’s Loan, Edinburgh, EH14 1TY.