The Beet Seed (Wales) Regulations 2005

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations apply in Wales and come into force on 18 November 2005. They revoke and replace, with modifications, the Beet Seeds Regulation 1993 (S.I. 1993/2006) insofar as they apply to Wales. They also revoke the Beet Seeds (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I. 1999/1861) insofar as they apply to Wales which amended the 1993 Regulations.

The 1993 Regulations implemented the provisions of Council Directive 66/400/EEC on the marketing of beet seed (O.J. No. L125, 11.7.66, p.2290). That Directive, as amended, was replaced by Council Directive 2002/54/EC on the marketing of beet seed. These Regulations implement the provisions of that Directive.

The Regulations apply to the certification and marketing of beet seed of the species specified in Schedule 2 to these Regulations (regulation 4).

The Regulations include provisions that lay down the procedures relating to the certification of beet seed in Wales (Part II), including provisions relating to the entry of seed lots (regulation 5), the entry of crops (regulation 6), the field inspection of crops (regulation 7), the lodging of field inspection reports and similar documents (regulation 8), the re-grading of crops (regulation 9), seed testing (regulation 10), the lodging of seed test reports (regulation 11), the re-grading of seed (regulation 12) and the withdrawal of official certification (regulation 13).

The Regulations include provisions that prohibit the marketing of beet seed in Wales except for seed that falls into one of the categories listed in Schedule 6 (regulation 14). These categories are defined in Schedule 1. The prohibition does not apply in the case of seed of a category that is not listed in Schedule 6 where an authorisation has been granted for scientific purposes or selection work (regulation 17) or for the purpose of tests and trials (regulation 18) or is authorised by a general licence made under regulation 19.

The Regulations lay down requirements relating to the sampling (regulation 20) and packaging (regulation 21) of seed and the sealing (regulation 22) and labelling of packages (regulation 23) of seed.

The Regulations enable the National Assembly to make arrangements for any person to act under its responsibility in carrying out official measures (regulation 25) and include provisions relating to the charging of fees (regulation 26).

The contravention of these Regulations is a criminal offence (section 16(7) of the Plant Varieties and Seeds Act 1964).

A Regulatory Appraisal has been prepared for these Regulations. Copies can be obtained from the Department for Environment, Planning and Countryside, Welsh Assembly Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ.