These Regulations amend the Cereal Seeds Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994 (as amended) to provide for the issue to a breeder of a document called a breeder’s confirmation in respect of seed in the categories Breeder’s Seed, Pre-basic Seed and Basic Seed prior to the entry of that variety of seed on a United Kingdom National List (regulation 3(2), (3) and (4)).

The Regulations provide that a breeder’s confirmation is issued in similar circumstances to an official certificate (regulation 3(7), (11), (12) and (13)). However, seed in respect of which a breeder’s confirmation is issued can not be marketed (regulation 3(5)).

The Regulations provide for similar sealing and labelling requirements for seed in respect of which a breeder’s confirmation has been issued to those which apply to seed in respect of which an official certificate has been issued (regulation 3(8) and (10)).

The Regulations provide that once a variety has been entered on a National List a breeder’s confirmation which is issued in respect of seed of that variety may be exchanged for an official certificate for that seed provided certain conditions are fulfilled. When the official certificate has been issued, the seed may be marketed provided it has been relabelled (regulation 3(6)(b) and (9)).

The Regulations include transitional provisions to provide that seed which would have satisfied the provisions of these Regulations if they had been in operation may be issued with an official certificate or breeder’s confirmation, as appropriate (regulation 4).

The Regulations also— a revise the items which may be required to accompany an application for an official certificate (regulation 3(6)(a)); and b remove the requirement that seed in the categories Uncertified Pre-basic Seed and Breeder’s Seed shall be produced in the United Kingdom (regulation 3(3)(a) and (b)).