# The Vegetable Seeds Regulations 1993, Paragraph 11: Sampling Instruments

Extent: E+W+S

The instrument used for drawing primary samples shall be one of those described below as appropriate to the location of the seeds, or any other suitable instrument for the time being approved by the Ministers.
Dynamic Spear Sampler
(a) This instrument may be used, in accordance with the methods described in paragraph 12(a) below, for sampling seeds in sacks or small containers. It shall be a hollow, cylindrical, solid-pointed metal spear or trier which shall be long enough to reach beyond the middle of the sack from the side and shall have an aperture so positioned that portions of seed of equal volume are removed from each part of the sack through which it travels.
Dimensions (mm)
Point
Shoulder
Boss
Aperture Length
Aperture Width
Bore
Outside Diameter
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
For sampling–
all kinds other than asparagus, beans, beet, cucumber, gherkin, marrow, melon, peas, popcorn, spinach, sweet corn
42
7
8
20
8
10
12
all kinds other than beans, marrow, peas, popcorn, sweet corn
85
12
10
33
11
13
15
all kinds other than peas and broad beans
82
12
13
40
15
17
19
peas and broad beans
78
15
15
40
18
20
22
Stick Samplers
(b) These instruments shall have an aperture or apertures which shall be of sufficient size to allow the unrestricted entry of seeds or other particles and which shall be capable of being opened and closed during the sampling procedure as appropriate to the method of use described in paragraph 12(b).
(i) Single chamber type
This instrument may be used for sampling seeds in open sacks, in large containers or in bulk.
Dimensions (mm)
Point
Shoulder
Sliding Sleeve
Aperture Length
Aperture Width
Bore
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
For sampling:
Seeds in sacks
55
25
75
50
22
25
Seeds in large containers or in bulk
100
390
63
50
22
30
(ii) Multi-chamber type
This instrument may be used to sample seeds in sacks or, subject to the requirements of paragraph 10 above, any other containers. The apertures shall open into chambers that shall be separated from one another by transverse partitions. The contents of each chamber shall be regarded as a primary sample.
Dimensions (mm)
Point
Shoulder
Aperture Length
Aperture Width
Aperture Separation
Bore
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
For sampling:
All kinds
60
50
100
15
110
25
Cargo Sampler
(c) This instrument shall only be used, in accordance with the method described in paragraph 12(c) below, for sampling seed in large containers or bulk and shall only be used in the vertical position.
Seed Stream Samplers
(d) Seed stream samplers shall uniformly sample the cross section of the seed stream without any loss of the seeds that enter the sampler, in accordance with the method described in paragraph 12(d) below. Timing devices shall be attached so that the frequency and duration of sampling can be adjusted to meet the requirements of paragraph 9.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1993/2008/schedule/5/paragraph/11 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/vegetable-seeds-regulations-1993/schedule-5/paragraph-11
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.