The Vegetable Seeds Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009

PART 2Conditions to be examined by seed testing

3.  The seed shall conform to the following standards or other conditions as regards analytical purity and the content of seeds of other plant species—

Column 1Column 2Column 3
SpeciesMinimum analytical purity (percentage by weight)Maximum content of seeds of other plant species (percentage by weight)
(a)asparagus960.5
(b)beans of the following species—
(i)broad bean980.1
(ii)French bean980.1
(iii)runner bean980.1
(c)beetroot970.5
(d)Brussels sprouts971.0
(e)red, Savoy and white cabbage971.0
(f)carrot951.0
(g)cauliflower971.0
(h)celery971.0
(i)chard and spinach beet970.5
(j)Chinese cabbage971.0
(k)cucumber and gherkin980.1
(l)curly kale971.0
(m)endive951.0
(n)gourd980.1
(o)kohlrabi971.0
(p)large-leaved chicory and Witloof chicory951.5
(q)leek970.5
(r)lettuce950.5
(s)marrow980.1
(t)melon980.1
(u)onion970.5
(v)Parsley971.0
(w)pea980.1
(x)radish971.0
(y)spinach971.0
(z)sprouting broccoli971.0
(aa)sweet corn or popcorn980.1
(bb)tomato970.5
(cc)turnip971.0

4.—(1) It shall be determined, by way of a germination test, whether the seed attains the applicable percentage of germination set out in column 2 of the table below—

Column 1Column 2
SpeciesMinimum germination (percentage clusters or pure seed)
(a)asparagus70
(b)beans of the following species—
(i)broad bean80
(ii)French bean75
(iii)runner bean80
(c)beetroot—
(i)all except the Cheltenham variety70
(ii)the Cheltenham variety50
(d)Brussels sprouts75
(e)red, Savoy and white cabbage75
(f)carrot65
(g)cauliflower70
(h)celery70
(i)chard and spinach beet70
(j)Chinese cabbage75
(k)cucumber and gherkin80
(l)curly kale75
(m)endive65
(n)gourd80
(o)kohlrabi75
(p)large-leaved chicory and Witloof chicory65
(q)leek65
(r)lettuce75
(s)marrow75
(t)melon75
(u)onion70
(v)parsley65
(w)pea80
(x)radish70
(y)spinach75
(z)sprouting broccoli75
(aa)sweet corn or pop corn85
(bb)tomato75
(bb)turnip80

5.  The seed shall not be contaminated by live Acarina (commonly known as mites).

6.  Seed of broad beans, French beans, runner beans and peas shall not be contaminated by—

(a)Acanthoscelides obtectus Sag.;

(b)Bruchus affinis Froel.;

(c)Bruchus atomarius L.;

(d)Bruchus pisorum L.; or

(e)Bruchus rufimanus Boh.

7.  In the case of varieties of Zea mays (Sweet corn – super-sweet types) the required minimum germination capacity is reduced to 80 per cent of pure seed. The official label or the supplier’s label, where appropriate, shall include the words “Minimum germination capacity 80 per cent”.