The Seed (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2017

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the following Regulations—

• the Fodder Plant Seed (Scotland) Regulations 2005 (the “Fodder Plant Seed Regulations”); and

• the Seed (Fees etc.) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 (the “Fees Regulations 2017”).

They transpose, in part, Commission Implementing Directive (EU) 2016/2109 amending Council Directive 66/401/EEC as regards the inclusion of new species and the botanical name of the species Lolium x boucheanum Kunth (OJ L 327, 2.12.2016, p.59). Article 1(1)(a) and (2) are transposed by regulation 2(3), which amends schedule 1 (species of seed to which the regulations apply) of the Fodder Plant Seed Regulations to update the botanical name for hybrid ryegrass from Lolium x boucheanum Kunth to Lolium x hybridum Hausskn. Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/478 (OJ L 73, 18.3.2017, p.29) releases the United Kingdom from the obligation to transpose article 1(1)(b), (c) and (3) into domestic law.

Regulation 3(2) amends schedule 2 of the Fees Regulations 2017. The Seed (Fees) (Scotland) Regulations 2016 had prescribed a fee of £7.63, payable by a licensed seed testing station in respect of an official examination of seed. The Fees Regulations 2017 revoked and replaced those Regulations and reduced the applicable fee to £7.50. Regulation 3(2) amends this, reinstating the fee at £7.63.

No business and regulatory impact assessment has been prepared for these Regulations as no impact upon business, charities or voluntary bodies is foreseen.