Explanatory note

These Regulations, which extend to Scotland only, come into force on 1st July 2007. They amend the Vegetable Seeds Regulations 1993 (“the principal Regulations”) in order to update the list of genera and species of plants to which those Regulations apply (regulation 6 and the Schedule). This implements Articles 2 and 3 of Commission Directive 2006/124/EC (O.J. No. L 339, 6.12.2006, p.12), which amended the list of species in Council Directive 2002/55/EC (O.J. No. L 193, 20.7.2002, p.33) on the marketing of vegetable seed. The main change is to extend the principal Regulations to Zea Mays L. (sweet corn and popcorn). Additionally, certain botanical names in Schedule 1 to the principal Regulations are changed.

The definition of “small package” in regulation 3 of the principal Regulations is amended as a result of the inclusion of sweet corn and popcorn and other such consequential amendments are made to Schedules 4 and 5 (regulations 3, 7 and 8).

Amendments are made to regulations 9 and 9A of, and Schedule 6 to, the principal Regulations to provide that on labelling and markings the kind of seed must be shown by common name (regulations 4, 5 and 9). The Latin name, in addition, is optional.

No Regulatory Impact Assessment has been prepared in respect of these Regulations as they have no impact on costs to business.