(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Oil and Fibre Plant Seeds Regulations 1993, S.I. 1993/2007, (as amended by S.Is. 1994/1423, 1996/1451, 1997/616 and 1999/1862) (the 1993 Regulations). They come into force on 29th November 2001 and apply to Wales only.

The amendments to the 1993 Regulations give effect in Wales to the following Council Directives, that amended directives in respect of the marketing of seeds and the common catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species:—

(a)

98/95/EC (OJ No. L25, 1.2.1999, p.1) in respect of the consolidation of the internal market, genetically modified plant resources and plant genetic resources; and

(b)

98/96/EC (OJ No. L25, 1.2.1999, p.27) as regards unofficial field inspections.

The directives in respect of the marketing of seeds amended by Council Directive 98/95/EC and Council Directive 98/96/EC include Council Directive 69/208/EEC (OJ No. L169, 10.7.69, p.3) on the marketing of seed of oil and fibre plants.

These Regulations —

(a)

amend definitions in regulation 3 (of the 1993 Regulations), including the definitions of “marketing” and “official examination” (regulation 3);

(b)

amend regulation 5 in relation to marketing (including the marketing of genetically modified oil and fibre plant seeds) and marketing authorisations, tests and trials, seed as grown, selection work and other scientific purposes; and make consequential amendments to regulation 4 (regulations 4 and 5);

(c)

amend regulation 9 to make provision in relation to clear indications for genetically modified varieties (regulation 6);

(d)

make a consequential amendment in regulation 9A (regulation 7); and

(e)

amend Schedule 6 to make provision for the supply of information about imported seeds and amend provisions in respect of small packages (regulation 8).

Similar Regulations have been made to amend the 1993 Regulations in so far as they apply to England and to Scotland by, respectively, S.I. 2000/ 1789 and S.S.I. 2000/249.Similar amendment Rules have been made by the appropriate authority in Northern Ireland.

Similar Regulations are being made in relation to Wales in respect of:

  • beet seeds

  • fodder plant seeds

  • cereal seeds

  • seed potatoes

  • vegetable seeds.

For further information on those Regulations contact the Countryside Division, National Assembly for Wales, Cathays Park, Cardiff.