Oil and Fibre Plant Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations.)

These Regulations further amend the Oil and Fibre Plant Seeds Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994 (S.R. 1994 No. 255), as amended by S.R. 1996 No. 312, S.R. 1997 No. 240, S.R. 2000 No. 55, S.R. 2001 No. 328 and S.R. 2003 No. 384 (the “1994 Regulations”).

The amendments to the 1994 Regulations give effect in Northern Ireland to Commission Directive 2003/45/EC amending Council Directive 2002/57/EC on the marketing of seed of oil and fibre plants (O.J. No. L138, 5.6.2003, p. 40) and Commission Decision 2003/234/EC amending Decision 74/360/EEC as regards the United Kingdom’s exemption from applying to hemp (Cannabis sativa) Council Directive 2002/57/EC on the marketing of seed of oil and fibre plants (O.J. No. L86, 3.4.2003, p. 48).

Regulation 2 –

(a) includes hybrids of all oil and fibre plant species within the definition of basic seed;

(b) repeals the specific numerical varietal identity, varietal purity and crop standards for hybrids of turnip rape;

(c) repeals the specific numerical varietal identity and varietal purity standards for self-incompatible hybrids of swede rape;

(d) introduces crop standards for hybrids of swede rape;

(e) amends labelling requirements for varietal associations;

(f) includes hemp seeds within the scope of the 1994 Regulations; and

(g) introduces specific standards for hemp.