The Seed Potatoes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010

Labelling of packages and containers

15.—(1) Subject to paragraph 8 and regulation 19, a person shall not market a package or container of seed potatoes otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs (2), (4), (5) and (6), and regulation 17.

(2) Subject to paragraph (4), there shall be attached to the outside of each package or container an official label on which there is correctly stated in relation to the contents the particulars set out in Part 1 of Schedule 5.

(3) Application for official labels for seed potatoes produced in Northern Ireland in respect of which a certificate has been issued under regulation 9 shall be made to the Department with such information as the Department may require. A person shall not in connection with the issue of an official label supply any information which is false in a material respect.

(4) If a package or container has been re-sealed by an authorised officer in accordance with regulation 17 or by an officer of the authority concerned the official label in respect of it shall also state—

(a) that the package or container has been so re-sealed;

(b) the date of re-sealing;

(c) the authority responsible for such re-sealing.

(5) Subject to paragraph (6) where seed potatoes have been treated with a chemical product, the name of the chemical product or the generally recognised abbreviation of the chemical name or the proprietary name of that product shall be stated on a label attached to the package or container.

(6) Paragraph (5) shall not apply where the statement required thereby is indelibly printed on the package or container or on a wear and tear resistant label, or adhesive label, attached to that package or container.

(7) A person shall not in connection with the marketing or preparation for marketing of seed potatoes wilfully reproduce, remove, deface, conceal or misuse in any way—

(a) an official label;

(b) a label attached in accordance with paragraph (5) or (6);

(c) a label approved by the authority concerned; or

(d) any particulars or statement printed on a package or container.

(8) An official label should normally be used. If in an exceptional case the Department authorises or accepts a consignment without a label (such as small quantities under 50kg for retail sales), or where an official label cannot be used, an official document may be substituted, for example, where approval is by the authority concerned of another country or place. The official document must comply with Article 13(1) or Article 18(f) of Council Directive 2002/56/EC, or Article 9 of Commission Decision 2002/842/EC.

(9) The official label for unlisted varieties of test and trial seed potatoes shall be orange and shall include the necessary information required in Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Decision 2004/842/EC.