SCHEDULE 4Seed potato tubers: requirements as to varietal purity and size

Pre-basic 1 and Pre-basic 2 and equivalent seed potatoes3

1

This paragraph applies—

a

to seed potatoes classified under these Regulations as being of the class Pre-basic 1 or Pre-basic 2; and

b

to seed potatoes produced outside Northern Ireland which are approved by the Department as being equivalent to that class.

2

Subject to sub-paragraphs (3) and (4), in the case of seed to which this paragraph applies—

a

there shall be no deviation from variety;

b

the minimum size is 25 millimetres; and

c

the maximum variation in size between tubers in a lot is 25 millimetres.

3

For the purposes of determining whether any lot of seed potatoes to which this paragraph applies meets the requirements specified in sub-paragraph (2)(a), the variety of any seed potatoes shall be deemed to be as stated on the official label in respect of the lot, if, on a sample taken in accordance with regulation 18(3) and Schedule 8, the proportion of the weight of potatoes which deviate from variety does not exceed 0.01% of the total weight of the sample.

4

For the purposes of determining whether any lot of seed potatoes to which this paragraph applies meets the requirements specified in sub-paragraph (2)(b) or (c), the size of any seed potatoes shall be deemed to be as stated on the official label in respect of the lot, if, on a sample taken in accordance with regulation 18(3) and Schedule 8, the proportion of the weight of potatoes which are—

i

smaller than the minimum size stated on the official label; and

ii

larger than the maximum size stated on the official label

does not exceed 2% of the total weight of the sample.