(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Vegetable Seeds Regulations 1993, S.I. 1993/2008 (“the principal Regulations”), as amended by S.I. 1996/1452, 1997/616 and 1999/1863.

The amendments to the principal Regulations give effect to Council Directive 98/95/EC (O.J. No. L 25, 1.2.99, p.1) in respect of the consolidation of the internal market, genetically modified plant resources and plant genetic resources. The directives in respect of the marketing of seeds amended by Council Directive 98/95/EC include Council Directive 70/458/EEC (O.J. No. L 225, 12.10.70, p.7) on the marketing of vegetable seed.

These amending Regulations–

(a)

amend definitions in the 1993 Regulations, including the definitions of “marketing” and “official examination” (regulation 4);

(b)

include provisions in relation to marketing and marketing authorisations, tests and trials, seed as grown, selection work and other scientific purposes, and make consequential amendments to regulation 4 (regulations 5 and 6);

(c)

include provision in relation to the marketing of genetically modified vegetable seeds (regulation 6);

(d)

make provision in relation to clear indications for genetically modified varieties (regulation 7); and

(e)

make provision for the supply of information about imported seeds (regulation 8).