The Seed Potatoes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016

Size of seed potatoes N.I.

8.—(1) A person shall not market any seed potatoes other than pre-basic seed potatoes of [F1 UK grade PBTC or] Union grade PBTC unless the tubers have a minimum size such that they do not pass through a square mesh of 25 millimetres x 25 millimetres.

(2) A person shall not market seed potatoes in a lot in which the maximum variation in size between tubers is such that the difference between the lower size limit and the upper size limit exceeds 25 millimetres.

(3) The requirements of paragraph(1) or (2) are to be treated as being met provided that no more than 3% of the total weight of tubers in the lot consists of—

(a) tubers which are smaller than the lower size limit stated on the official label issued in respect of the seed potatoes;

(b) tubers which are larger than the upper size limit stated on the official label issued in respect of the seed potatoes.

(4) Where the size of seed potatoes is required to be stated in accordance with these Regulations, the following shall be stated—

(a) where the lower size limit and the upper size limit are the same, the dimensions of the square mesh through which the tubers do not pass;

(b) where they are not the same, the lower size limit and the upper size limit.

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (4), dimensions of more than 35 millimetres shall be stated to the nearest 5 millimetres.

(6) For the purposes of this regulation—

(a) “the lower size limit” means the dimensions of the largest square mesh through which the smallest tuber does not pass;

(b) “the upper size limit” means the dimensions of the largest square mesh through which the largest tuber does not pass.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in reg. 8(1) inserted (31.12.2020) by The Animal Health, Seed Potatoes and Food (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/962), regs. 1(2), 14; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)