The Seed Marketing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016

Regulations 10, 11, 13 and 24

SCHEDULE 2 Certification requirements

PART 1 Beet

Interpretation of Part 1

1.  In this Part—

(a) “monogerm seed” means seed that is genetically monogerm; and

(b) “precision seed” means seed designed for use in precision drills to produce single seedlings.

Permitted types of beet seed

2.  Beet seed must be—

(a) pre-basic seed;

(b) basic seed; or

(c) certified seed.

Meaning of “pre-basic” seed

3.  Pre-basic seed is seed—

(a) produced from a generation prior to pre-basic seed by or under the responsibility of the breeder according to well-defined practices for the maintenance of the variety; and

(b) intended for the production of—

(i) more pre-basic seed;

(ii) basic seed; or

(iii) with the breeder’s written authority, certified seed.

Meaning of “basic seed”

4.  Basic seed is seed—

(a) produced under the responsibility of the breeder according to well-defined practices for the maintenance of the variety; and

(b) intended for the production of certified seed.

Meaning of “certified seed”

5.  Certified seed is seed that is of direct descent from basic seed and is intended for the production of beet.

Crop and seed requirements

6.—(1) Crop inspections by official or licensed crop inspectors must be carried out in accordance with Article 2(3)(A) of, and Annex I(A) to, Council Directive 2002/54/EC on the marketing of beet seed, and the crop must satisfy the conditions in that Annex.

(2) The seed produced by the crop must be sampled in accordance with Article 9(2) of, and Annex II to, that Directive, and must satisfy the conditions in Annex I(B) to that Directive.

(3) It must be labelled in accordance with Annex III to that Directive.

(4) The maximum moisture content must not exceed 15% by weight.

(5) Diseases and harmful organisms that reduce the usefulness of the seed must be at the lowest possible level.

PART 2 Cereals

Permitted types of cereal seed

7.—(1) Cereal seed must be—

(a) pre-basic seed;

(b) basic seed;

(c) certified seed;

(d) certified seed, first generation;

(e) certified seed, second generation; or

(f) seed of a higher voluntary standard.

(2) The seed may be a mixture of cereal species of different varieties provided that each variety in the mixture is certified and is effective against the propagation of harmful organisms.

Meaning of “pre-basic seed” (including hybrids)

8.  Pre-basic seed (including hybrids) is seed—

(a) produced from a generation prior to pre-basic seed or from pre-basic seed by or under the responsibility of the breeder according to well-defined practices for the maintenance of the variety; and

(b) intended for the production of—

(i) more pre-basic seed;

(ii) basic seed; or

(iii) with the breeder’s written authority, certified seed of categories CS, C1 or C2 (hybrid varieties may not be produced to C1 or C2).

Meaning of “basic seed”

9.  Basic seed is seed complying with the following conditions.

Type of cereal	Condition
Self-pollinating varieties of oats, naked oats, barley, rye, triticale, wheat, durum wheat and spelt wheat	The seed must be— (a) produced under the responsibility of the breeder according to well-defined practices for the maintenance of the variety; and (b) intended for the production of certified seed of categories CS, C1 or C2
Hybrid varieties of oats, barley, rye, wheat, durum wheat, spelt wheat, triticale and maize	The seed must be intended for the production of hybrids
Maize spp. open-pollinated varieties	The seed must be— (a) produced under the responsibility of the breeder according to well-defined practices for the maintenance of the variety; and (b) intended for the production of seed of this variety of the category “certified seed” triple cross or of top cross hybrid variety or of intervarietal hybrids
Maize, inbred lines	Any seed

Meaning of “certified seed”

10.  Certified seed is seed—

(a) of rye and maize and hybrids of barley, oats, wheat, durum wheat, spelt wheat and self-pollinating triticale;

(b) that has been produced directly from basic seed or, if the breeder so requests, from seed of a generation prior to basic seed that satisfies the conditions for basic seed;

(c) that is intended for purposes other than the production of cereal seed.

Meaning of “certified seed, first generation”

11.  Certified seed, first generation is seed—

(a) of oats, barley, triticale, wheat, durum wheat or spelt wheat other than hybrids in each case;

(b) produced directly from basic seed or, if the breeder so requests, from pre-basic seed that satisfies the conditions for basic seed;

(c) intended either for the production of seed of the category “certified seed, second generation” or for purposes other than the production of cereal seed.

Meaning of “certified seed, second generation”

12.  Certified seed, second generation is seed—

(a) of oats, barley, triticale, wheat, durum wheat or spelt wheat other than hybrids in each case;

(b) produced directly from basic seed, from certified seed, first generation or, if the breeder so requests, from pre-basic seed that satisfies the conditions for basic seed;

(c) intended for purposes other than the production of cereal seed.

Crop and seed requirements

13.—(1) Crop inspections by official or licensed crop inspectors must be carried out in accordance with Article 2(3)(A) of, and Annex I to, Council Directive 66/402/EEC on the marketing of cereal seed, and the crop from which the seed has been produced must—

(a) satisfy the conditions in that Annex; and

(b) be found to be free from plants of wild oat.

(2) The seed produced by the crop must be sampled in accordance with Article 7 of, and Annex III to, that Directive and must—

(a) satisfy the conditions in Annex II to that Directive; and

(b) be free of seeds of wild oat in a 3 kilogram sample.

(3) The moisture content must not exceed 17% by weight.

(4) Diseases and harmful organisms that reduce the usefulness of the seed must be at the lowest possible level.

Higher voluntary standards for cereals

14.—(1) Barley, oats, wheat (including durum wheat and spelt wheat) or naked oats classified as basic seed, or certified seed of categories C1 or C2, may be marketed as being of a higher voluntary standard, which is a standard higher than that required under paragraph 13, if it meets the higher standards specified in this paragraph and paragraphs 15, 16 and 17.

(2) The seed must meet the minimum standards laid down in paragraph 13.

(3) The seed must have at least 99.99% (by number) species purity.

(4) Other than a hybrid, the minimum varietal purity of seed is—

(a) 99.95% for basic seed;

(b) 99.9% for C1 seed;

(c) 99.7% for C2 seed.

(5) In the case of C1 and C2 the seed must have 99% by weight analytical purity.

Additional requirements for barley, wheat, durum wheat and spelt wheat

15.  In the case of barley, wheat, durum wheat and spelt wheat the maximum percentage by number of loose smut infection in seed is—

(a) 0.1% for basic seed;

(b) 0.2% for C1 and C2 seed.

16.  The number of seeds from other plant species in a sample of 1 kilogram must not exceed the following.

Seed of other species

Category of seed sampled	All other plant species (including species specified in columns 3 to 6)	Other cereal species	All plant species other than cereals	Darnel	Wild radish, corn cockle, sterile brome or couch
(a) Only in respect of wild radish and corn cockle.
Basic seed	1	0	1	0	0(a)
C1	2	1	1	0	1
C2	4	3	2	0	1

Ergot and sclerotia

17.  In a sample of 1 kilogram—

(a) in the case of basic seed there must be no ergot or sclerotia;

(b) in the case of certified seed (C1 and C2) there must be no more than one piece of ergot or sclerotia.

PART 3 Fodder plants

Permitted types of fodder seed

18.—(1) Fodder seed must be—

(a) pre-basic seed;

(b) basic seed;

(c) certified seed;

(d) certified seed, first generation;

(e) certified seed, second generation;

(f) commercial seed; or

(g) seed of a higher voluntary standard.

(2) The seed may be a mixture of fodder species of different varieties provided that each variety in the mixture is certified.

Meaning of “pre-basic seed”

19.  Pre-basic seed is seed—

(a) produced from a generation prior to pre-basic seed by or under the responsibility of the breeder according to well-defined practices for the maintenance of the variety; and

(b) intended for the production of—

(i) more pre-basic seed;

(ii) basic seed; or

(iii) with the breeder’s written authority, certified seed CS, C1 or C2.

Meaning of “basic seed”

20.—(1) Basic seed is seed of—

(a) bred varieties; or

(b) local varieties.

(2) Seed of bred varieties is seed—

(a) produced under the responsibility of the breeder according to well-defined practices for the maintenance of the variety;

(b) intended for the production of certified seed.

(3) Seed of local varieties is seed—

(a) produced under official control from material officially accepted as being of the local variety on one or more holdings situated within a clearly demarcated region of origin;

(b) intended for the production of certified seed.

Meaning of “certified seed”

21.  Certified seed is seed (other than of field beans, field peas, lucerne (Medicago sativa), lupins and vetches)—

(a) produced directly from basic seed or, if the breeder so requests, from pre-basic seed that satisfies the conditions for basic seed;

(b) intended for purposes other than the production of seed.

Meaning of “certified seed, first generation”

22.  Certified seed, first generation in relation to field beans, field peas, lucerne (Medicago sativa), lupins and vetches is seed—

(a) produced directly from basic seed or, if the breeder so requests, from pre-basic seed that satisfies the conditions for basic seed;

(b) intended for—

(i) the production of certified seed, second generation (in the case of field beans and field peas only); or

(ii) purposes other than the production of seed (in all cases).

Meaning of “certified seed, second generation”

23.  Certified seed, second generation in relation to field beans, field peas, lucerne (Medicago sativa), lupins and vetches is seed—

(a) produced directly from basic seed, from certified seed, first generation (C1) or, if the breeder so requests, from pre-basic seed that satisfies the conditions for basic seed;

(b) intended for purposes other than the production of seed of fodder plants.

Meaning of “commercial seed”

24.  Commercial seed is seed of annual meadowgrass, Hungarian vetch of sainfoin that is identifiable as belonging to a species.

Crop and seed requirements

25.—(1) Crop inspections by official or licensed crop inspectors must be carried out in accordance with Article 2(3)(A) of, and Annex I to, Council Directive 66/401/EEC on the marketing of fodder plant seed, and the crop must satisfy the conditions in that Annex.

(2) The seed produced by the crop must be sampled in accordance with Article 7 of, and Annex III to, that Directive, and must satisfy the conditions in Annex II to that Directive.

(3) Diseases and harmful organisms that reduce the usefulness of the seed must be at the lowest possible level.

Higher voluntary standards for fodder seed

26.  In the case of cocksfoot, festulolium, hybrid ryegrass, Italian ryegrass, lucerne, meadow fescue, perennial ryegrass, red clover, red fescue, sainfoin, small timothy, timothy, smooth stalked meadow grass, tall fescue and white clover, certified seed (CS) may be marketed as certified seed of a higher voluntary standard, where the sample of seed taken under paragraph 25(2) satisfies the standards specified in the following Table.

Column header	Minimum analytical purity (% by weight)	Total weight of all other species (% by weight)	Total weight of a single other species (% by weight)	Seed of Rumex spp excluding R acetosella and R maritimus	Seed of couch	Seed of blackgrass	Limits of other specific species
Fine grasses
festulolium	98	1.5	0	0	10	0
red fescue	95	1.5	0.5	5	10	10	The sample must have no more than four seeds of ryegrass, cocksfoot, meadow fescue and 0.3% rough stalked meadowgrass
smooth-stalked meadowgrass	90	1.5	0.5	2	3	3	Maximum of 0.4% by weight of seed of other meadowgrass
Fodder grasses
cocksfoot	90	1.5	0.5	5	10	10
meadow fescue, tall fescue	98	1.5	0.5	5	10	10	0.3% rough stalked meadowgrass, 0.3% ryegrass
hybrid ryegrass, Italian ryegrass, perennial ryegrass	98	1.5	0.5	5	10	10	0.4% annual meadowgrass, 0.3% rough stalked meadowgrass
small timothy, timothy	98	1.5	0.5	4	10	10	0.3% Argostis spp
Small seeded legumes
lucerne, red clover, white clover	98	1.5	0.5	10	10	10	0.3% Melitotus spp
sainfoin	98	1.5	0.5	5	10	10	0.3% Melitotus spp

PART 4 Oil and fibre

Permitted types of oil and fibre seed

27.  Oil and fibre seed must be—

(a) pre-basic seed;

(b) basic seed;

(c) certified seed;

(d) certified seed, first generation;

(e) certified seed, second generation;

(f) certified seed, third generation; or

(g) commercial seed.

Meaning of “pre-basic seed”

28.—(1) Pre-basic seed is seed of a generation prior to basic seed—

(a) that has been produced by or under the responsibility of the breeder according to well-defined practices for the maintenance of the variety; and

(b) is intended to be used for the production of more pre-basic seed, basic seed or, with the breeder’s written authority—

(i) in the case of black mustard, brown mustard, dioecious hemp, sunflower, swede rape, turnip rape or white mustard, CS seed;

(ii) in the case of monoecious hemp or soya bean, C1 or C2 seed;

(iii) in the case of flax or linseed, C1 C2 or C3 seed.

(2) But in relation to a component of a hybrid variety, “pre-basic seed” means seed of a generation prior to basic seed that is intended to be used for the production of—

(a) more pre-basic seed;

(b) basic seed; or

(c) with the breeder’s written authority, CS seed.

Meaning of “basic seed” for non-hybrid varieties

29.  In the case of a non-hybrid variety, basic seed is seed—

(a) produced under the responsibility of the breeder according to well-defined practices for the maintenance of the variety;

(b) intended for the production of—

(i) certified seed;

(ii) certified seed, first generation;

(iii) certified seed, second generation; or

(iv) certified seed, third generation.

Meaning of “basic seed” for inbred lines

30.  In the case of an inbred line, basic seed is seed of an inbred line of a hybrid that satisfies the conditions for basic seed.

Meaning of “basic seed” for simple hybrids

31.  In the case of a simple hybrid, basic seed is seed intended for the production of hybrids.

Meaning of “certified seed”

32.  Certified seed is seed of black, brown and white mustard, dioecious hemp, sunflower, swede rape or turnip rape—

(a) produced directly from basic seed or, if the breeder so requests, from seed of a generation prior to basic seed that satisfies the conditions for basic seed;

(b) intended for purposes other than the production of seed of oil or fibre plants.

Meaning of “certified seed, first generation”

33.  Certified seed, first generation is seed of monoecious hemp, flax, linseed or soya—

(a) produced directly from basic seed or, if the breeder so requests, from pre-basic seed that satisfies the conditions for basic seed;

(b) intended for the production of—

(i) certified seed, second generation;

(ii) where appropriate, certified seed, third generation; or

(iii) for purposes other than the production of seed of oil or fibre plants.

Meaning of “certified seed, second generation”

34.—(1) Certified seed, second generation is seed of flax, linseed, soya or monoecious hemp.

(2) In the case of flax, linseed and soya it is seed—

(a) produced directly from basic seed, from certified seed, first generation or, if the breeder so requests, from pre-basic seed that satisfies the conditions for basic seed; and

(b) intended for—

(i) purposes other than the production of seed; or

(ii) where appropriate, the production of certified seed, third generation.

(3) In the case of monoecious hemp it is seed—

(a) produced directly from certified seed, first generation established and officially controlled with a view to the production of certified seed, second generation; and

(b) intended for the production of hemp to be harvested in flower.

Meaning of “certified seed, third generation”

35.  Certified seed, third generation is seed from flax or linseed—

(a) of direct descent from basic seed, from certified seed, first or second generation or, if the breeder so requests, from seed of a generation prior to basic seed; and

(b) intended for purposes other than the production of seed.

Meaning of “commercial seed”

36.  Commercial seed (black mustard seed only) is seed that is identifiable as belonging to a species.

Crop and seed requirements

37.—(1) Crop inspections by official or licensed crop inspectors must be carried out in accordance with Article 2(5)(A) of, and Annex I to, Council Directive 2002/57/EC on the marketing of seed of oil and fibre plants, and the crop must satisfy the conditions in that Annex.

(2) The seed produced by the crop must be sampled in accordance with Annex III to that Directive and must satisfy the conditions in Annex II to that Directive.

(3) Diseases and harmful organisms that reduce the usefulness of the seed must be at the lowest possible level.

Requirements for a varietal association

38.—(1) Seed marketed as a varietal association must comply with this paragraph.

(2) The varietal association must be an association of certified CS seed of a specified pollinator-dependent hybrid variety with certified CS seed of one or more specified pollinator varieties both of which have been accepted on to the National List or the Common Catalogue.

(3) The seed of the female and male components of a varietal association must have been dressed using seed dressings of different colours.

(4) The seed must be mechanically combined in the proportions jointly determined by the persons responsible for the maintenance of these components.

(5) The proportions must be notified to the Department by the person responsible for the maintenance of the pollinator-dependent hybrid and pollinators with the varietal association.

(6) In this paragraph—

(a) “pollinator-dependent hybrid” means the male-sterile component within the varietal association (female component); and

(b) “pollinator” means a component shedding pollen within a varietal association.

PART 5 Vegetables

Permitted types of vegetable seed

39.—(1) Vegetable seed must be—

(a) pre-basic seed;

(b) basic seed;

(c) certified seed; or

(d) standard seed.

(2) The seed may be a mixture of different varieties of the same vegetable species provided that each variety in the mixture is standard seed.

Meaning of “pre-basic seed”

40.  Pre-basic seed is seed—

(a) produced from a generation prior to pre-basic seed by or under the responsibility of the breeder according to well-defined practices for the maintenance of the variety; and

(b) intended for the production of—

(i) more pre-basic seed;

(ii) basic seed; or

(iii) with the breeder’s written authority, certified seed.

Meaning of “basic seed”

41.—(1) Basic seed is seed—

(a) produced under the responsibility of the breeder according to well-defined practices for the maintenance of the variety;

(b) intended for the production of certified seed.

(2) For the avoidance of doubt this includes seed intended as a component of a hybrid variety of vegetable.

Meaning of “certified seed”

42.  Certified seed is seed—

(a) produced directly from basic seed or, if the breeder so requests, from seed of a generation prior to basic seed that satisfies the conditions for basic seed;

(b) intended mainly for the production of vegetables.

Meaning of “standard seed”

43.  Standard seed is seed that is intended mainly for the production of vegetables and has been approved by the Department as having sufficient varietal purity and varietal identity.

Crop and seed requirements

44.—(1) Crop inspections by official or licensed crop inspectors must be carried out in accordance with Article 2(4)(A) of, and Annex I to, Council Directive 2002/55/EC on the marketing of vegetable seed, and the crop must satisfy the conditions in that Annex.

(2) The seed produced by the crop must be sampled in accordance with Article 25 of, and Annex III to, that Directive and must satisfy the conditions in Annex II to that Directive.

(3) Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply in the case of standard seed.

(4) Diseases and harmful organisms that reduce the usefulness of the seed must be at the lowest possible level.

(5) After marketing, vegetable seed is subject to control by the Department for varietal identity and varietal purity.