officially draw seed samples from lots of fodder plant seed;
authorise seed samplers to carry out sampling on its behalf and under its official supervision;
compare the seed samples drawn by itself with those of the same seed lot drawn by the seed samplers under official supervision as referred to in point (b);
supervise the performance of the seed samplers provided for in point (2).
Except for automatic sampling, the competent authority shall check-sample a proportion of at least 5 % of the seed lots entered for official certification. That proportion shall be as evenly spread as possible over natural and legal persons entering seed for certification, and the species entered, but may also be aimed at eliminating specific doubts.
For the examination of seed for certification, samples shall be drawn from homogeneous lots. As regards the lot and sample weights, the table of Annex III to Directive 66/401/EEC shall apply.