The Potatoes Originating in the Netherlands (Notification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations.)

These Regulations, which come into force on 16th December 1996, impose certain requirements in respect of potatoes grown in 1996 in the Netherlands in accordance with Commission Decision 95/506/EC authorising Member States to take additional measures against the dissemination of Pseudomonas solanacearum (Smith) Smith as regards the Kingdom of the Netherlands (O.J. No. L.291, 6.12.95, p. 48), as amended by the Commission Decision adopted on 9th October 1996.

These Regulations require a person intending to land in Northern Ireland potatoes grown in 1996 in the Netherlands (‘potatoes originating in the Netherlands') to give to an inspector, at least two days prior notification of that intention and to provide specified information about those potatoes (regulation 4).

The Regulations prescribe that a fee of £116 shall be payable where a sample of seed potatoes is taken for the purpose of ascertaining whether the potatoes are infected with Pseudomonas solanacearum (Smith) Smith (regulation 6).

The Regulations provide that contravention of the requirements for notification under regulation 4 or the requirements of an inspector under regulation 5 shall be an offence punishable by a fine not exceeding £5,000 (regulation 7).

The Regulations also provide that an inspector who has reasonable grounds for suspecting that a person has or will have in his possession potatoes originating in the Netherlands may exercise the powers contained in Articles 22 to 25 of the Plant Health Order (Northern Ireland) 1993 in relation to such potatoes (regulation 5).