The Oil and Fibre Plant Seed (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2003

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Oil and Fibre Plant Seed (England) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/3174) (the “2002 Regulations”).

The amendments to the 2002 Regulations give effect in England to Commission Directive 2003/45/EC amending Council Directive 2002/57/EC on the marketing of seed of oil and fibre plants (O.J. No. L138, 5.6.2003, p40) and Commission Decision 2003/234/EC amending Decision 74/360/EEC as regards the United Kingdom’s exemption from applying to hemp (Cannabis sativa) (O.J. No. L86, 3.4.2003, p48).

Regulation 2—

(a) includes hybrids of all oil and fibre plant species within the definition of basic seed;

(b) repeals the specific numerical varietal identity, varietal purity and crop standards for hybrids of turnip rape;

(c) repeals the specific numerical varietal identity and varietal purity standards for self-incompatible hybrids of swede rape;

(d) introduces crop standards for hybrids of swede rape;

(e) removes the provision for an application to be made for the field inspection of a late entered crop of hybrid swede rape;

(f) amends labelling requirements for varietal associations;

(g) includes hemp seeds within the scope of the 2002 Regulations; and

(h) introduces specific standards for hemp.

Regulation 3 makes consequential amendments to the Seed (Registration, Licensing and Enforcement) (England) Regulations 2002, S.I. 2002/3176.

A Regulatory Impact Assessment has been prepared and placed in the library of each House of Parliament. Copies can be obtained from the Plant Variety Rights Office and Seeds Division of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, White House Lane, Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB3 0LF.

A Transposition Note has been prepared for these Regulations and a copy has been placed in the library of each House of Parliament. Copies of the Transposition Note can be obtained from the Plant Variety Rights Office and Seeds Division of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, White House Lane, Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB3 0LF.