4.—(1) For the purpose of this regulation—
“relevant period” means ten years from the date that—
the gamete in question was first placed in storage; or
if later, the most recent previous written opinion was given under sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (3).
(2) In the circumstances specified in paragraph (3), the statutory storage period for a gamete under section 14(3) of the Act (conditions of storage licences) shall, subject to paragraph (4), be the period beginning with the date on which the gamete was first placed into storage and ending ten years after the date of the most recent written opinion given under sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (3).
(3) The circumstances referred to in paragraph (2) are that—
(a)the person who provided the gamete in question has consented in writing to the gamete being stored for a period in excess of ten years for the provision of treatment services; and
(b)on any day within the relevant period a registered medical practitioner has given a written opinion that the person who provided the gamete or, where they are not that person, the person to be treated, is prematurely infertile or is likely to become prematurely infertile.
(4) Where the statutory storage period calculated in accordance with paragraph (2) would be greater than fifty five years, the statutory storage period for the purpose of that paragraph shall be fifty five years.