The Beet Seed (Scotland) Regulations 2010

PART I GENERAL

Citation, commencement and extent

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Beet Seed (Scotland) Regulations 2010, and shall come into force on 20th April 2010.

(2) These Regulations extend to Scotland only.

Interpretation

2.—(1) In these Regulations—

“the Act” means the Plant Varieties and Seeds Act 1964;

“additional region” means the region for seed production approved by the Scottish Ministers for the purposes of the second paragraph of Article 11(1) of Commission Directive 2008/62;

“Basic Seed” has the meaning given in paragraph 3 of Part II of Schedule 1;

“Beet” means plants of the species specified in Part I of Schedule 1;

“the Beet Seed Directive” means Council Directive 2002/54/EC on the marketing of beet seed(1) as amended(2);

“breeder”—

(a)

in relation to a variety which has not been accepted on to a UK National List or the Common Catalogue, includes any person lawfully multiplying (on their own account) seed bred by another; and

(b)

in relation to a variety which has been so accepted, means the person who is indicated in the relevant UK National List or in the Common Catalogue as responsible for maintaining the plant variety in accordance with the characteristics to which regard was had when the plant variety was accepted on to the relevant UK National List or Common Catalogue;

“breeder’s confirmation” means a document issued by the Scottish Ministers in accordance with Part II of Schedule 2 containing in respect of the seed to which it relates the particulars specified in paragraph 2 of Schedule 3;

“breeder’s designation” means the title, name or other designation proposed by a breeder for a new plant variety which is the subject of an application for acceptance on to a UK National List;

“Breeder’s Seed” has the meaning given in paragraph 1 of Part II of Schedule 1;

“Certified Seed” has the meaning given in paragraph 4 of Part II of Schedule 1;

“the 2004 Commission Decision” means Commission Decision 2004/842/EC concerning implementing rules whereby Member States may authorise the placing on the market of seed belonging to varieties for which an application for entry in the national catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species or vegetable species has been submitted(3);

“Commission Directive 2008/62” means Commission Directive 2008/62/EC providing for certain derogations for acceptance of agricultural landraces and varieties which are naturally adapted to the local and regional conditions and threatened by genetic erosion and for marketing of seed and seed potatoes of those landraces and varieties(4);

“Commission Regulation 217/2006” means Commission Regulation (EC) No. 217/2006 laying down rules for the application of Council Directives 66/401/EEC, 66/402/EEC, 2002/54/EC, 2002/55/EC and 2002/57/EC as regards the authorisation of Member States to permit temporarily the marketing of seed not satisfying the requirements in respect of the minimum germination(5);

“Common Catalogue” means the Common Catalogue of varieties of species of agricultural plants published in the Official Journal of the European Communities;

“the Common Catalogue Directive” means Council Directive 2002/53/EC on the common catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species(6) as amended(7);

“component” means—

(a)

in the case of Pre-Basic Seed, a component used in the production of a hybrid variety; and

(b)

in the case of Basic Seed, a component of a hybrid variety;

“Conservation Variety” means the landraces or varieties of agricultural plant species which are naturally adapted to local and regional conditions and threatened by genetic erosion and are contained within a UK National List and for these purposes—

(a)

“landrace” means a set of populations or clones of a plant species which are naturally adapted to the environmental conditions of their region; and

(b)

“genetic erosion” means loss of genetic diversity between and within populations of varieties of the same species over time or reduction of the genetic basis of a species due to human intervention or environmental change;

“control plot” means a plot sown by a European Authority with seed from a submitted sample taken—

(a)

by a European Authority;

(b)

by a licensed seed sampler; or

(c)

by an applicant of seed of a Conservation Variety;

“the 2001 Deliberate Release Directive” means Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms and repealing Council Directive 90/220/EEC(8) as amended(9);

“Department of Agriculture and Rural Development” means the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland;

“early movement seed” means seed marketed under regulation 12;

“EEA State” means an EEA State, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein;

“Equivalence Decision” means Council Decision 2003/17/EC on the equivalence of field inspections carried out in third countries on seed producing crops and on the equivalence of seed produced in third countries(10) as amended(11);

“European Authority” means a National Authority or a competent seed certification authority of an EEA State other than the United Kingdom and “by a European Authority” means—

(a)

by or on behalf of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development;

(b)

by or on behalf of the Welsh Ministers;

(c)

by or on behalf of the Scottish Ministers;

(d)

by or on behalf of the Secretary of State; or

(e)

by a competent seed certification authority of an EEA State other than the United Kingdom;

“first buyer by way of trade” has the same meaning as for the purposes of the Beet Seed Directive;

“the Food and Feed Regulation” means Regulation (EC) No. 1829/2003/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on genetically modified food and feed(12) as amended(13);

“fully certified” means—

(a)

officially certified; or

(b)

certified by a European Authority other than the Scottish Ministers,

as satisfying the conditions specified for the relevant category of seed in Part II of Schedule 1 and either in Schedule 4 or in Annex I of the Beet Seed Directive;

“genetically modified” has the same meaning as for the purposes of the 2001 Deliberate Release Directive;

“homogeneous seed lot” means a seed lot in which the seed has been so mixed or blended that it is as uniform as practicable and, as far as is practicable, the seed lot shows no evidence of heterogeneity;

“licensed crop inspector” means a person who holds a current licence to be a crop inspector granted by—

(a)

the Scottish Ministers under regulation 11(1) (licences) of the RLE Regulations; or

(b)

a National Authority other than the Scottish Ministers under provisions equivalent to that regulation;

“licensed EU crop inspector” means a person authorised by a competent seed certification authority in an EEA State other than the United Kingdom, pursuant to Article 2(3)(A)(a) of the Beet Seed Directive, to carry out field inspections of crops in that EEA State;

“licensed seed sampler” means a person who holds a current licence to be a seed sampler granted by—

(a)

the Scottish Ministers under regulation 18(1) (licences) of the RLE Regulations; or

(b)

a National Authority other than the Scottish Ministers under provisions equivalent to that regulation;

“licensed seed testing station” means an establishment which holds a current licence for testing of seed granted by—

(a)

the Scottish Ministers under regulation 25(1) (licences) of the RLE Regulations; or

(b)

a National Authority other than the Scottish Ministers under provisions equivalent to that regulation;

“lower germination seed” means seed marketed under regulation 11;

“monogerm seed” means seed produced on genetically monogerm plants, the percentage of germinated clusters producing single seedlings being not less than the minimum specified in Part II of Schedule 4;

“National Authority” means the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Welsh Ministers, the Scottish Ministers or the Secretary of State;

“natural seeds” means seed of non-monogerm varieties, which have not been processed as precision seeds;

“official certificate” means a certificate issued by the Scottish Ministers in accordance with these Regulations and “officially certified” shall be construed accordingly;

“official control” means under the supervision of, and in accordance with any conditions set by, a European Authority;

“official examination” means—

(a)

in relation to seed of Certified Seed—

(i)

an examination or a test carried out by the Scottish Ministers or a European Authority; or

(ii)

if the seed has undergone official post control the results of which have been satisfactory, a field examination carried out by a licensed crop inspector; or

(iii)

a test carried out by a licensed seed testing station; and

(b)

in relation to Pre-Basic Seed and Basic Seed—

(i)

an examination or a test carried out by the Scottish Ministers or a European Authority; or

(ii)

a test carried out by a licensed seed testing station;

“official field inspection” means a field examination of a crop carried out—

(a)

by a European Authority; or

(b)

in the case of seed which, if it were fully certified would be Certified Seed, and which has been harvested from a crop which has been produced from seed that has undergone official post-control the results of which have been satisfactory, by a licensed crop inspector or a licensed EU crop inspector;

“official label” means a label issued by a European Authority and “official inner label” shall be construed accordingly;

“official post control” means a control plot has been sown with seed from the relevant seed lot and has produced plants which have been examined by the relevant European Authority; and “official post control the results of which have been satisfactory” means official post control has been carried out for the relevant seed lot and the relevant European Authority has found, having regard to—

(a)

the conditions specified in—

(i)

in the case of the Scottish Ministers, Part II of Schedule 4; and

(ii)

in the case of a European Authority other than the Scottish Ministers, Annex I of the Beet Seed Directive; and

(b)

the category of the seed to be produced,

that the plants produced in the control plot indicate that the corresponding plants in the field are satisfactory plants from which to harvest the relevant category of seed;

“official seal” means a seal issued by a European Authority;

“official sticker” means a sticker issued by a European Authority and attached to an official label;

“Pre-Basic Seed” has the meaning given in paragraph 2 of Part II of Schedule 1;

“precision seed” means seed processed for use in precision drills with the percentage of seeds producing single seedlings being not less than the minimum specified in Part II of Schedule 4;

“registered number” means the number issued to a person registered by the Scottish Ministers under regulation 5(1) (registrations) of the RLE Regulations or by another National Authority under any equivalent provision extending to any other part of the United Kingdom;

“region of origin” means the region forming a part or the whole of the United Kingdom identified by the Scottish Ministers for the purposes of Article 8.1 of Commission Directive 2008/62;

“rhizomania-free zone” means a zone which has been designated as free of rhizomania by virtue of Commission Regulation (EC) No 690/2008 of 4 July 2008 recognising protected zones exposed to particular plant health risks in the community(14) as amended(15);

“RLE Regulations” means the Seed (Registration, Licensing and Enforcement) (Scotland) Regulations 2006 No. 313(16);

“Sampling Guidance” means the guidance booklet titled ‘Instructions for Seed Samplers Licensed in Scotland, 2010’, produced by the Scottish Ministers;

“Seed” means the species of seed to which these Regulations apply as set out in Part I of Schedule 1 and the categories of seed that may be marketed, as set out in Part II of Schedule 1;

“seed lot” means an identifiable consignment of seed of a weight not exceeding that specified in Schedule 5 for each species by more than 5%, including a blended seed lot and a bulked seed lot, which bears a unique seed lot reference number;

“seed of a Conservation Variety” means seed that has been produced in accordance with regulation 10 and meets the standards of Certified Seed set out in paragraph 4 of Part II of Schedule 2;

“seeds regulations” means regulations made under section 16 of the Act and for the time being in force;

“small EC package” means a package of Pre-Basic, Basic or Certified seed containing—

(a)

in the case of monogerm or precision seeds—

(i)

not more than 100,000 clusters or grains; or

(ii)

a net weight of not more than 2.5 kilograms of seeds; and

(b)

in the case of seeds other than monogerm or precision seeds, a net weight of not more than 10 kilograms of seeds,

excluding (in each case) the weight of any granulated pesticides, pelleting substances or other solid additives;

“submitted sample” means a sample of at least the minimum weight of a sample specified in Schedule 5, or in the case of a sample to be submitted to a licensed seed testing station, double the minimum weight of a sample specified in Schedule 5, taken from a seed lot in accordance with the provisions set out in the Sampling Guidance;

“test and trial seed” means seed which is the subject of an authorisation of a type described in regulation 9;

“tests and trials authorisation” means an authorisation granted by the Scottish Ministers under regulation 9;

“third country” means a country listed in Annex I (countries, authorities and species) to the Equivalence Decision or Switzerland;

“UK National List” means a list of varieties of species of beet plants for the time being published in accordance with the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 2001(17).

(2) In these Regulations—

(a) any reference to a numbered regulation, to a numbered Part or to a numbered Schedule is a reference to the regulation, Part or Schedule in these Regulations so numbered; and

(b) any reference to a numbered paragraph is a reference to the paragraph so numbered in the regulation or Schedule in which that reference occurs.

(3) For the purposes of these Regulations, seeds-

(a) produced and packaged in either an EEA State other than the United Kingdom or a third country;

(b) accompanied by a document issued by a competent authority concerned with the certification of beet seeds in that EEA State or third country containing information specified in Schedule 6; and

(c) in respect of which an application has been made for a breeder’s confirmation under these Regulations,

shall be deemed to be seeds produced from seeds issued with such a breeder’s confirmation.

(4) For the purposes of these Regulations, seeds—

(a) produced and packaged in either an EEA State other than the United Kingdom or a third country;

(b) accompanied by a document issued by a competent authority concerned with the certification of beet seeds in that EEA State or third country containing information specified (in respect of packages of seed not finally certified) in Schedule 6; and

(c) in respect of which an application has been made for an official certificate under these Regulations,

shall be deemed to be seeds produced from seeds issued with a breeder’s confirmation or an official certificate.

(5) For the purposes of these Regulations, seeds-

(a) Produced and packaged in either an EEA State other than the United Kingdom or a third country;

(b) labelled in accordance with the requirements of regulation 19; and

(c) In the case of a small EC package of seeds, sealed in accordance with the requirements of regulation 18(5), or, in the case of seeds other than a small EC package of seeds, sealed by a competent authority concerned with the certification of beet seeds in that EEA State or third country shall be deemed to fall within the meaning of the appropriate category of seeds set out in Schedule 1.

Seed Categories

3.  The categories of seed that may be marketed are set out in Part II of Schedule 1.

Seed to which the Regulations apply

4.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), these Regulations apply to beet seeds of the species specified in Part I of Schedule 1, being seeds intended to be used only for the production of agricultural or horticultural crops.

(2) These Regulations shall not apply to seed which is shown to be intended for export outside the European Union.

(3) The supply of seed to any person for—

(a) the production of agricultural raw materials, intended for industrial purposes; or

(b) seed propagation for industrial purposes,

shall not be regarded as marketing, provided that person does not acquire title to either the seed supplied or the product of the harvest.

(4) The supplier of the seed referred to in paragraph (3) shall provide the Scottish Ministers with a copy of the relevant parts of the contract made with any person which shall include the standards and conditions met by the seed.

PART II MARKETING

Definition of marketing

5.—(1) In these Regulations “ marketing” means—

(a) selling, holding with a view to sale and offering for sale; and

(b) any disposal, supply or transfer for the purpose of commercial exploitation of seed to third parties,

whether or not for consideration, and “market” and “marketed” shall be construed accordingly.

(2) Trade in seed not aimed at commercial exploitation of the variety, such as the following operations—

(a) the supply of seed to official testing and inspection bodies; or

(b) the supply of seed to any person for the purposes of processing or packaging the seed provided that person does not acquire title to the seed supplied,

shall not be treated as marketing of seed of that variety.

Marketing of seed

6.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Part, no person shall market any seed unless—

(a) it is marketed in seed lots or in parts of seed lots; and

(b) it is—

(i) seed of a plant variety of a species accepted on to a UK National List or the Common Catalogue and which is fully certified; or

(ii) Breeder’s Seed.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the marketing of seed as grown if—

(a) the seed is marketed for processing;

(b) the identity of the seed is ensured; and

(c) the seed—

(i) has been harvested from a crop which has been found by an official field inspection to satisfy the conditions specified in Part I of Schedule 4 or Annex I(A) of the Beet Seed Directive for the relevant category of seed; or

(ii) is seed of a Conservation Variety that has been harvested from a crop which has been found to satisfy the conditions specified in paragraph 2 of Part I of Schedule 4.

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), no person shall market seed of a genetically modified variety unless it is clearly indicated, in the sales catalogue of the person marketing the seed and in any other marketing information or marketing representations provided by that person, as having been genetically modified.

(4) Where seeds are sampled for the official examination referred to in Schedule 2 or any other examination or test carried out by a European Authority other than the Scottish Ministers in an untreated state and are subsequently subjected to chemical treatment, the seller shall, upon or before delivering the seeds to the purchaser, provide him with a statement in writing that the seeds have been subsequently subjected to chemical treatment and specifying the chemical nature of such treatment.

(5) Any person marketing seed which has been imported from a third country and which exceeds 2 kilograms of seed shall supply the Scottish Ministers in such manner and at such time as the Scottish Ministers may require the information in respect of the seeds specified in Part V of Schedule 6.

(6) Paragraph (1) shall not prevent the marketing of seeds of a variety intended for use solely as a component of a final variety where, by reason only of Article 3(2) of the Common Catalogue Directive, the component is not included on the UK National List and the seeds are not marketed under the names of the component.

General exemptions

7.—(1) The Scottish Ministers may, by a general licence which may impose conditions and which shall have effect during the period specified in it unless the Scottish Ministers earlier revoke it—

(a) authorise exemptions from any provision of these Regulations in accordance with a temporary experiment organised in terms of Article 19 of the Beet Seed Directive;

(b) waive the packing and labelling requirements if the relevant authorities listed in Article 22(2) of the Beet Seed Directive agree;

(c) give effect to the provisions of a Council Decision made under Article 23 of the Beet Seed Directive, including for the avoidance of doubt the Equivalence Decision, and amendments made to such a Decision;

(d) remove any temporary difficulties in the general supply of certain types of seed in terms of Article 24 of the Beet Seed Directive or by Commission Regulation 217/2006 or an authorisation granted thereunder; or

(e) give effect to the provisions of the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on Trade in Agriculture Products(18).

(2) A general licence issued under paragraph (1)—

(a) may exempt any person or class of persons, or persons generally, from compliance with any provision of these Regulations; and

(b) may impose such conditions as the Scottish Ministers may think necessary or desirable having regard to the marketing permitted by the general licence and the nature of the seed to which it relates.

Exception for scientific purposes or selection work

8.—(1) Regulation 6 shall not apply to the marketing by a producer of small quantities of seed for scientific purposes or selection work for which—

(a) an authorisation has been granted to the producer by the Scottish Ministers in accordance with this regulation; or

(b) an authorisation has been granted to the producer by a European Authority other than the Scottish Ministers in respect of small quantities of seed for scientific purposes or selection work pursuant to Article 6(1) of the Beet Seed Directive.

(2) A producer established in Scotland may apply to the Scottish Ministers for authorisation under this regulation.

(3) An application under paragraph (2) shall be made in writing to the Scottish Ministers and shall be accompanied by such information as the Scottish Ministers may require.

(4) The Scottish Ministers shall not grant an authorisation under this regulation for scientific purposes or selection work in respect of seed of a genetically modified variety unless an authorisation is in force in respect of the variety concerned under—

(a) the Food and Feed Regulation; or

(b) Part C (placing on the market of GMOs as or in products) of the 2001 Deliberate Release Directive,

and then only if all appropriate measures, in accordance with the environmental risk assessment in respect of the genetically modified material carried out in accordance with Article 7(4) (environmental risk assessment for seed varieties) of the Common Catalogue Directive, have been taken by the producer of the seed to avoid adverse effects on human health and the environment.

Exception for test and trial seed

9.—(1) Regulation 6 shall not apply to the marketing by a producer of seed for test and trial purposes in accordance with—

(a) a tests and trials authorisation; or

(b) an authorisation which has been granted to the producer by a European Authority other than the Scottish Ministers pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) of the Beet Seed Directive,

which has been granted in accordance with Article 2(1) (authorisation) of the 2004 Commission Decision.

(2) A producer established in Scotland may apply to the Scottish Ministers for authority to market seed for the purposes of tests or trials to be carried out at an agricultural enterprise to gather information on the cultivation or use of a variety of a species specified in Part I of Schedule 1.

(3) An application under paragraph (2) shall be made in writing to the Scottish Ministers and shall be accompanied by such information as the Scottish Ministers may require.

(4) The Scottish Ministers shall not grant a tests and trials authorisation unless they are satisfied that—

(a) the seed is of a variety for which an application has been made by the applicant for acceptance on to a UK National List and the application has not been withdrawn or finally determined;

(b) in the case of seed of a genetically modified variety, an authorisation is in force in respect of the variety under either—

(i) the Food and Feed Regulation; or

(ii) Part C (placing on the market of GMOs as or in products) of the 2001 Deliberate Release Directive;

(c) the marketing is for the purposes of tests or trials to be carried out at an agricultural enterprise to gather information on the cultivation or use of a variety of a species specified in Part I of Schedule 1;

(d) an official field inspection has been carried out by the Scottish Ministers or by a licensed crop inspector and a report issued stating that the crop satisfies the conditions for Certified Seed set out in Part I of Schedule 4;

(e) an official examination of the seed has been undertaken and a report issued by the Scottish Ministers or by a licensed seed testing station stating that the seed satisfies the conditions for Certified Seed set out in Schedule 4; and

(f) such marketing would not contravene a prohibition on the use of the variety that complies with Article 14 of the 2004 Commission Decision and has been published by the Secretary of State in the gazette published under section 34(1) of the Act.

(5) A tests and trials authorisation shall last for a period of one year or such shorter period as the Scottish Ministers may specify.

(6) The Scottish Ministers shall not authorise marketing of an amount of seed in excess of that permitted by Article 7 of the 2004 Commission Decision.

(7) A tests and trials authorisation may be made subject to such conditions as the Scottish Ministers think necessary or desirable having regard to the nature of the tests or trials and the nature of the seed to which the authorisation relates.

(8) The Scottish Ministers may withdraw a tests and trials authorisation where they are satisfied that there has been a breach of a condition imposed under paragraph (7).

(9) A tests and trials authorisation shall cease to have effect where the application referred to in paragraph (4)(a) is withdrawn or rejected or the variety is entered in a UK National List or the Common Catalogue.

(10) The Scottish Ministers may require, as a condition of a tests and trials authorisation, that the producer to whom authorisation was granted provide them, on request, with information about—

(a) the results of the tests and trials to which the authorisation relates; and

(b) the quantities of seed marketed during the authorised period and the names of the EEA States for which the seed was destined.

Exception for Conservation Varieties

10.—(1) No person may market seed of a Conservation Variety—

(a) other than in its region of origin; and

(b) unless the requirements of paragraphs (2), (3) and (5) are met.

(2) The seed must descend from seed produced according to well defined practices for maintenance of the variety.

(3) The seed must be harvested from a crop that—

(a) has been produced in the region of origin for the variety or additional region; and

(b) satisfies the conditions laid down in paragraph 2 of Part I of Schedule 4.

(4) The Scottish Ministers may ascertain, so far as practicable, whether the requirements for the crop set out in paragraph 2 of Schedule 4 are met by the use of methods which may include examination of a post control plot sown with a sample from the seed and the consideration of any other relevant information, without requiring an official field inspection of the crop.

(5) The seed must satisfy the conditions laid down in paragraph 8 of Part II of Schedule 4.

(6) A person proposing to produce seed of a Conservation Variety must supply the Scottish Ministers, in such manner and form as the Scottish Ministers may require, with the following details in writing—

(a) the size (in hectares); and

(b) the location,

of the area to be used to produce that seed.

(7) For the purposes of Article 14 of Commission Directive 2008/62, the Scottish Ministers may specify the maximum amount of seed of a Conservation Variety which may be marketed in any given growing season. Different maxima for different persons or classes of person may be specified.

(8) No person shall market more than the maximum amount of seed of a Conservation Variety applicable to that person as specified under paragraph (7).

(9) Any person marketing seed of a Conservation Variety must supply the Scottish Ministers, on request, with details in writing of the amount and variety of the seed placed on the market during each growing season.

Marketing of officially certified lower germination seed

11.—(1) Notwithstanding regulation 6(1) and the requirement in Schedule 1 that Pre-Basic Seed and Basic Seed shall attain the minimum standards of germination specified for Basic Seed in Schedule 4 or Annex I of the Beet Seed Directive, any person may, subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) and regulation 19 and the other provisions of these Regulations, market seed—

(a) in respect of which an official certificate certifying that the seed is of the relevant category of seed has been issued in accordance with Part I of Schedule 2, although it attains a lower percentage of germination than that specified in Part II of Schedule 4 in relation to Basic Seed by virtue of the exception in paragraph 2(1)(c) of Schedule 2; or

(b) which has been certified as satisfying the conditions for the relevant category of seed by a European Authority other than the Scottish Ministers although the seed attains a lower germination than that specified in Annex I(B) of the Beet Seed Directive in relation to Basic Seed, by virtue of Article 5(a) (marketing of lower germination seed) of the Beet Seed Directive; or

(c) which the person marketing the seed knows does not satisfy the minimum standards of germination specified for Basic Seed—

(i) in the case of seed which has been officially certified as being Pre-Basic Seed or Basic Seed, in Part II of Schedule 4, irrespective of the findings of the Scottish Ministers; and

(ii) in the case of seed which has been fully certified as being Pre-Basic Seed or Basic Seed by a European Authority other than the Scottish Ministers, in Annex I(B) of the Beet Seed Directive, irrespective of the findings of the relevant European Authority.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply unless the person marketing the seed guarantees a specific minimum percentage of germination of the seed.

(3) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to seed which has been imported from a country other than an EEA State unless it has been produced directly from Pre-Basic Seed or Basic Seed produced in an EEA State.

Marketing of early movement seed

12.—(1) In a case where—

(a) the official examination in respect of the germination of any seed lot of Pre-Basic Seed, Basic Seed or Certified Seed of a plant variety of a species accepted on to a UK National List or the Common Catalogue is being undertaken and has not been completed, but a provisional germination report has shown that the seed attains the appropriate minimum standard of germination specified in Part II of Schedule 4, the seed in all other respects satisfies the appropriate requirements of Schedule 4 and the provisional analytical report and the provisional germination report on the seed have been presented by the producer to the Scottish Ministers; or

(b) any seed lot has been certified by a European Authority other than the Scottish Ministers by virtue of Article 5(b) (early movement of seed) of the Beet Seed Directive, and the provisional germination report on the seed has been presented by the producer to the Scottish Ministers,

the seed lot or any part of the seed lot may, notwithstanding regulation 6 but subject to paragraphs (2) to (5), regulation 19 and the other provisions of these Regulations, be marketed to the first buyer by way of trade.

(2) In the event of any marketing under paragraph (1), the seller of the seed shall—

(a) upon or before delivery, provide the first buyer by way of trade with a written statement that the seed is marketed before the completion of the official germination test together with the result in the provisional germination report;

(b) notify the Scottish Ministers in writing of the name and address of the first buyer by way of trade as soon as practicable after delivery and in any event not later than 7 days after delivery;

(c) guarantee a specific minimum percentage of germination, which shall be the percentage of the germination of the seed as ascertained in the provisional germination report; and

(d) in the event of the official germination test showing the failure of the seed to comply with the minimum germination standard specified in Part II of Schedule 4 for seed of the relevant category, the seller shall provide the first buyer by way of trade with the result of the completed official germination test, in writing, as soon as practicable and in any event not later than 7 days after being informed of it.

(3) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the marketing of any seed lot or part of any seed lot in respect of which a previous official examination or an examination by a European Authority other than the Scottish Ministers has shown that the seed fails to meet the standards specified for the relevant category of seed in Part II of Schedule 4 or Annex I(B) of the Beet Seed Directive.

(4) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to seed which has been imported from a country other than an EEA State unless it has been produced directly from Pre-Basic Seed or Basic Seed produced in an EEA State.

(5) A person who sells any seed in accordance with paragraph (1) shall make and, until the end of the period of six years after the date of delivery of the seed to the first buyer by way of trade, keep available for inspection by the Scottish Ministers a record of—

(a) the date of such delivery;

(b) the reference number of the seed lot or part of a seed lot delivered;

(c) the name and address of the first buyer by way of trade;

(d) the date on which the preliminary test of germination was carried out and of the result of that test in the provisional germination report; and

(e) if appropriate, of the date on which the first buyer by way of trade was informed of the result of the completed official germination test.

Requirement for homogeneity

13.  No person shall market seed in accordance with these Regulations unless it is marketed in a homogenous seed lot or as part of a homogenous seed lot.

Marketing of unpacketed seed

14.  A person may sell any seed otherwise than in a package which is labelled, inscribed or otherwise dealt with in accordance with regulations 18 and 19 where—

(a) the seed is sold in a quantity not exceeding 2.5 kilograms to the final consumer; and

(b) the seed is taken, in the presence of the final consumer, from a container on which there is clearly and visibly marked, or near which there is clearly and visibly displayed, a statement containing particulars of the matters specified in Part IV of Schedule 6.

PART III PROCEDURES FOR ISSUING OFFICIAL CERTIFICATES

Official certificates

15.—(1) An application in respect of a seed lot for the issue of an official certificate certifying the seed to be Pre-Basic Seed, Basic Seed, Certified Seed or seed of a Conservation Variety—

(a) shall be made in writing to the Scottish Ministers in such form and manner, and shall include such information, records, illustrations, material and seed as the Scottish Ministers may require; and

(b) shall be made not later than 31st December in the second year following the year of harvest of the crop from which the seed lot is obtained or within such other time as the Scottish Ministers may allow.

(2) Where an application for the issue of an official certificate is made to the Scottish Ministers in accordance with paragraph (1) the Scottish Ministers shall, subject to paragraph (3), deal with the application in accordance with the provisions of Part I of Schedule 2.

(3) Where a breeder applies to the Scottish Ministers for the issue of an official certificate in accordance with paragraph (1) in respect of a seed lot which already has a breeder’s confirmation after the variety of the seed in that seed lot has been accepted on to a UK National List (or an equivalent in another EEA State), or if the seed in the seed lot is a component of a hybrid variety, after the hybrid variety has been accepted on to a UK National List (or an equivalent list in another EEA State), the Scottish Ministers shall issue an official certificate in respect of that seed lot provided they are satisfied that—

(a) the seed is the seed in respect of which the breeder’s confirmation was issued;

(b) the breeder’s confirmation has not been withdrawn pursuant to paragraph (3) of regulation 16;

(c) the provisions of regulations 18 and 19 in relation to breeder’s confirmations have been complied with; and

(d) there is no reason why the breeder’s confirmation should be withdrawn pursuant to paragraph (3) of regulation 16.

(4) An official certificate which has been issued by the Scottish Ministers may be withdrawn by them in respect of either the whole of a seed lot or any part of a seed lot and any seed from which an official certificate has been so withdrawn shall be deemed not to have been officially certified if—

(a) the results of an official examination of the sample taken from the seed lot in respect of which the official certificate has been issued are deemed to be null and void in accordance with paragraph (3) of regulation 17;

(b) on the basis of information received by them, the Scottish Ministers are satisfied that the crop from which the seed in the seed lot was harvested did not meet the conditions laid down in Part I of Schedule 4 or, in the case of seed of a Conservation Variety, paragraph 2 of Schedule 4;

(c) on the basis of information received by them, the Scottish Ministers are satisfied that the seed in the seed lot, or part of the seed lot—

(i) did not meet the conditions laid down in Part II of Schedule 4 at the time the seed was tested for seed certification purposes, which includes the purpose of issuing a breeder’s confirmation; or

(ii) although it met the conditions in Part II of Schedule 4 at the time of such testing it no longer meets them; or

(d) the licensed seed sampler who sampled the seed lot or the licensed crop inspector or licensed EU crop inspector who inspected the crop, did so in breach of any of the terms of that sampler’s or inspector’s licence.

(5) The Scottish Ministers may withdraw the official certificate in respect of a seed lot, or any part of a seed lot, by giving notice to—

(a) the person who made an application in respect of the seed lot under paragraph (1); or

(b) any person marketing, or who has marketed, any of the seed.

(6) Where, in accordance with paragraph (5), the official certificate in respect of a seed lot, or part of a seed lot, is withdrawn under paragraph (4), the Scottish Ministers may notify—

(a) the person who made an application under paragraph (1) in respect of the seed lot;

(b) any person marketing, or who has marketed, any of the seed; and

(c) any person who has purchased, or been supplied with, any of the seed,

that the official certificate in respect of the seed lot, or part of a seed lot, as the case may be, has been withdrawn.

(7) Where the official certificate in respect of a seed lot, or part of a seed lot, is withdrawn under paragraph (4), any seller of the seed shall, as soon as practicable and in any case not later than 7 days after being informed of it, notify the purchaser in writing, that the official certificate has been withdrawn and that the seed is deemed not to have been officially certified.

Breeder’s confirmations

16.—(1) An application for the issue of a breeder’s confirmation for Pre-Basic Seed or Basic Seed in respect of a seed lot—

(a) shall be made in writing by the breeder to the Scottish Ministers in such form and manner, and shall include such information, records, illustrations, material and seed, as the Scottish Ministers may require;

(b) shall be made not later than 31st December in the second year following the year of harvest of the crop from which the seed lot is obtained or within such other time as the Scottish Ministers may allow; and

(c) shall be made only—

(i) for seed of a variety when an application has been made to add the variety to the UK National List (or to an equivalent list in another EEA State); or

(ii) for seed of a component of a hybrid variety for which an application has been made to have that hybrid variety accepted on to a UK National List (or to an equivalent list in another EEA State).

(2) Where an application for the issue of a breeder’s confirmation is made to the Scottish Ministers in accordance with paragraph (1) above, the Scottish Ministers shall deal with the application in accordance with the provisions of Part II of Schedule 2.

(3) A breeder’s confirmation which has been issued by the Scottish Ministers may be withdrawn by them in respect of either the whole of a seed lot or any part of a seed lot and any seeds from which a breeder’s confirmation has been so withdrawn shall be deemed not to have had a breeder’s confirmation if—

(a) the results of an official examination of the seeds in respect of which the breeder’s confirmation has been issued are declared null and void in accordance with paragraph (3) of regulation 17; or

(b) on the basis of information received by them, the Scottish Ministers are satisfied that the crop from which the seed in the seed lot was harvested did not meet the conditions specified in Part I of Schedule 4; or

(c) on the basis of information received by them, the Scottish Ministers are satisfied that the seed in the seed lot, or part of the seed lot—

(i) did not meet the conditions laid down in Part II of Schedule 4 at the time the seed was tested for breeder’s confirmation purposes; or

(ii) although it met the conditions in Part II of Schedule 4 at the time of such testing no longer meets them.

(4) The Scottish Ministers may withdraw the breeder’s confirmation in respect of a seed lot, or any part of a seed lot, by giving notice to the person who made an application in respect of the seed lot under paragraph (1).

(5) The breeder applying for the breeder’s confirmation shall notify the Scottish Ministers if the application to have the relevant variety or hybrid variety accepted on to a UK National List (or to an equivalent list in another EEA State) referred to in paragraph (1)(c) is withdrawn or refused.

(6) If the application to have the relevant variety or hybrid variety accepted on to a UK National List (or to an equivalent list in another EEA State) referred to in paragraph (1)(c) is refused, the breeder applying for the breeder’s confirmation shall notify the Scottish Ministers if the refusal is the subject of appeal proceedings and shall further notify the Scottish Ministers of the final outcome of those proceedings.

Sampling

17.—(1) A sample of seed taken for the purposes of an official examination shall be taken—

(a) by a European Authority or a licensed seed sampler in accordance with the terms of the licensed seed sampler’s licence;

(b) in accordance with the methods specified by Scottish Ministers in Sampling Guidance; and

(c) from a homogenous seed lot.

(2) A sample of seed of a Conservation Variety taken for the purposes of checking compliance with these Regulations shall comply with paragraph (1)(b) and (c) and Schedule 5.

(3) If a sample from a seed lot submitted or taken for the purpose of an official examination—

(a) is found not to have been taken in accordance with paragraph (1);

(b) is taken from a seed lot which does not comply with Schedule 5;

(c) is not a sample for moisture testing which complies with paragraph 2 of Schedule 5 or is a submitted sample and has not been taken in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 2 of Schedule 5; or

(d) is otherwise found not to have been taken in accordance with the seeds regulations;

(e) no, or no further, official examination of that sample shall be made under these Regulations, and any findings or results obtained in the course of any official examination of that sample, or from inspecting plants grown in a plot which has been sown with seed from that sample, shall be deemed null and void and shall be disregarded.

(4) For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of this regulation apply for the purposes of issuing a breeder’s confirmation, as they do for the purposes of issuing an official certificate.

PART IV PACKAGING AND LABELLING REQUIREMENTS

Sealing of packages of seed

18.—(1) Subject to paragraph (11), no person shall market a package of Seeds, unless it has been sealed in accordance with paragraph (2).

(2) The package has been—

(a) sealed in Scotland by the Scottish Ministers or by a licensed seed sampler using a non-re-usable sealing system or some other sealing system—

(i) not later than at the time of sampling, or in the case of seed which is wholly or partly re-packaged, the original package has been sealed not later than at the time of sampling;

(ii) including the use of an official label or the affixing of an official seal; and

(iii) in such a manner that the package cannot be opened without damaging the sealing system or without leaving evidence of tampering on the label or package; or

(b) sealed—

(i) in the UK but not in Scotland; or

(ii) in an EEA State other than the UK,

(iii) in accordance with the provisions of Article 11 of the Beet Seed Directive.

(3) In the case of a package of seed in respect of which the Scottish Ministers have issued an official certificate under paragraph (3) of regulation 15—

(a) paragraph (2)(a) shall apply as if the words ‘not later than at the time of sampling’ were omitted; and

(b) subject to sub paragraph (a), the package of seed shall be sealed in accordance with paragraph (2)(a) within 7 days of the issue of the official certificate.

(4) If a package of seed which has been sealed in accordance with paragraph (2) is opened, it may not be marketed in accordance with these Regulations unless it is immediately re-sealed or further re-sealed in Scotland by the Scottish Ministers or by a licensed seed sampler using a non-reusable sealing system or some other sealing system including the use of an official label or the affixing of an official seal.

(5) No person shall market in accordance with these Regulations a small EC package of seed unless it has been sealed—

(a) in accordance with paragraph (2)(a)(i) and (iii); or

(b) a licensed seed sampler or a person registered by a National Authority in any part of the United Kingdom under regulation 5(1) (registrations) of the RLE Regulations or provisions equivalent to that regulation, using a sealing device and sealed in the manner outlined in paragraph (2)(a)(i) and (ii);

(6) If a small EC package of seed sealed in accordance with paragraph (5) is opened, it may not be marketed unless it is re-sealed in accordance with paragraph (5).

(7) No person shall market a package of Breeder’s Seed in accordance with these Regulations unless it is marketed in a package which has been sealed with a sealing device in such a manner that the package cannot be opened without damaging the sealing system or leaving evidence of tampering.

(8) If a package of Breeder’s Seed sealed in accordance with sub-paragraph (a) is opened, it may not be marketed unless it is re-resealed in accordance with sub-paragraph (a).

(9) No person shall have in their possession a package of seed for which a breeder’s confirmation for Pre-Basic Seed or Basic seed has been applied for or issued unless it has been sealed in accordance with paragraph (2).

(10) No person shall open a package of seed referred to in paragraph (9) and sealed in accordance with paragraph (2) except—

(a) for the purpose of sowing all the seed; or

(b) where—

(i) some of the seed is sown immediately after the package is opened;

(ii) the rest of the seed remains in the package after the seed is sown in accordance with sub-paragraph (i); and

(iii) the package is re-sealed immediately after the seed is sown in accordance with sub-paragraph (i); or

(c) for the purpose of re-packaging and re-sealing all of the seed.

(11) If a package of seeds referred to in paragraph (9) and sealed in accordance with paragraph (2) shall have been opened, neither it nor any other package containing any of those seeds may be sealed, re-sealed or further re-sealed (as the case may be) except by the Scottish Ministers or by a licensed seed sampler in accordance with paragraph (2).

(12) If the details on any label required by regulation 19 cease to be correct as a consequence of any action of the kind described in paragraph (10) above the label shall be replaced by the Scottish Ministers or by a licensed seed sampler at the time the package is re-sealed under paragraph (11).

(13) These sealing requirements are subject to regulation 14, and paragraphs (3), (5), (6), (7) and (8) of this regulation.

Labelling of packages of seed

19.—(1) Subject to regulation 14, no person shall market or have in their possession in accordance with these Regulations, any Seeds, except in a package which, not later than at the time of sealing, is labelled, inscribed or otherwise dealt with in accordance with this regulation.

(2) A package (other than a small EC package sealed in the United Kingdom in accordance with regulation 18(5) and Breeder’s Seed) of Seed—

(a) where it is sealed in Scotland shall have affixed on the outside an official label in accordance with the requirements appropriate to the relevant category of seed set out in Part I of Schedule 6 and shall contain an official inner label in accordance with paragraph 10 of Schedule 6; and

(b) where it is sealed in—

(i) the United Kingdom but not in Scotland; or

(ii) an EEA State other than the United Kingdom,

shall be labelled in accordance with the provisions of Articles 11 and 12 of the Beet Seed Directive appropriate to the relevant category of seed and shall contain an official document in accordance with Articles 12(b) and 22 of the Beet Seed Directive.

(3) The official inner label or document referred to in paragraph (2) shall not be required if the particulars specified in paragraph 10 of Schedule 6 are printed indelibly on the outside of the package or if the official label is an adhesive or tear resistant label.

(4) In the case of a package of seed in respect of which the Scottish Ministers have issued an official certificate under regulation 15(3) or in respect of which the Scottish Ministers have issued a breeder’s confirmation or an official certificate re-grading the seed to a different category or level—

(a) paragraph (1) shall apply as if the words “not later than at the time of sealing” were omitted; and

(b) subject to sub-paragraph (a), the package of seed shall be re labelled in accordance with this regulation within 7 days of the issue of that official certificate.

(5) In the case of seed of a variety which has been genetically modified, any label, document, printing or stamp, whether official or otherwise, affixed to or accompanying a seed lot or any part of a seed lot in accordance with the provisions of this regulation, and any particulars given under regulation 14, shall clearly indicate that the variety has been genetically modified.

(6) A package of Breeder’s Seed shall have affixed on the outside a label in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 3 of Schedule 6.

(7) A package of seed of a Conservation Variety shall have affixed on the outside a label in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 7 of Schedule 6.

(8) If in accordance with regulation 11 a person markets any lower germination seed, that person shall ensure that the package is labelled in accordance with paragraph 8 of Schedule 6.

(9) If in accordance with regulation 12 a person markets any early movement seed, that person shall ensure that the package is labelled in accordance with paragraph 9 of Schedule 6.

(10) A small EC package sealed in the United Kingdom shall have affixed on the outside a label containing, as appropriate to the category of the seed and the seed itself, the particulars referred to in paragraph 11 of Schedule 6, except that subject to paragraphs (8) and (9)—

(a) if such particulars are printed indelibly on the outside of the package in a panel of the colour so specified, the label shall not be required; and

(b) if the packaging material is transparent the label may be placed inside the package provided it can be read through the packaging.

(11) If a package of seed has been re-sealed in accordance with regulation 18(4), this fact shall be stated on the official label required under this regulation or the label required under paragraph (10), as the case may be, together with the month and year of re-sealing and the name of the authority responsible for the re-sealing.

(12) If any seed has been subjected to any chemical treatment this fact and the nature of the treatment or the proprietary name of the chemical used in the treatment shall be stated either—

(a) where seed is being marketed in accordance with regulation 14, with the particulars given in accordance with that regulation; or

(b) in a case where seed is not being marketed in accordance with regulation 14, or in the case of packages of seed in relation to breeder’s confirmation—

(i) on a separate label on the package; or

(ii) on the label referred to in paragraphs (2), (6) and (10), the official inner label or document referred to in paragraph (2), or the printing or stamp referred to in paragraphs (3) and (10),

and also, except where the information prescribed by this paragraph is given on an adhesive or tear resistant label, either on the outside of the package or on a document enclosed inside the package.

(13) Packages of seed in respect of which a breeder’s confirmation has been applied for shall have affixed on the outside an official label in accordance with paragraphs 4(e) and 5(f) of Schedule 6.

(14) If in accordance with paragraphs 5 and 6(c) of Schedule 2 a breeder’s confirmation has been issued in respect of seed of a lower percentage of germination than that specified for Basic Seed in Part II of Schedule 4—

(a) the official label or stamp shall comply with paragraph 9(3)(a) of Part II of Schedule 6; and

(b) where possession of the package is to be transferred to another person, the transferor shall comply with paragraph 9(3)(b) of Part II of Schedule 6.

(15) The particulars and information given in accordance with this regulation shall be given in one of the official languages of the European Union.

(16) For the purposes of this regulation, references in Schedule 6 to the “certifying authority” shall, in the case of a breeder’s confirmation, be taken to be references to that authority as issuer of the breeder’s confirmation.

(17) Subject to the provisions of the Act and of these Regulations, no person shall wilfully reproduce, remove, alter, deface, conceal or misuse in any way any label affixed to, contained in or marked on any package of seed or which is to be so affixed, contained or marked, except as may occur in the course of opening the package for the purposes of paragraph (10) of regulation 18.

PART V MISCELLANEOUS

Comparative tests and trials

20.  For the purposes of comparative tests and trials under Article 26 (comparative tests and trials) of the Beet Seed Directive, the Scottish Ministers shall be entitled, on request, to an additional submitted sample taken from any seed lot of seed to which these Regulations apply whenever that seed lot is sampled for the purposes of an official examination under these Regulations.

Civil liabilities of sellers of seed

21.—(1) The particulars given to a purchaser by the seller of seed to which these Regulations apply, whether given in pursuance of these Regulations expressly or by implication arising from the description under which the seed is sold, shall constitute a statutory warranty for the purpose of section 17 of the Act in so far as they relate to the category of the seed, the percentage germination of the seed, the percentage analytical purity of the seed, the content of seed of other plant species, the varietal identity and the varietal purity of the seed to which these Regulations apply.

(2) Section 17(2) of the Act shall apply to any particulars given to a purchaser by the seller of seed, being particulars given or implied as in paragraph (1), in so far as they relate to the percentage germination, the percentage analytical purity, or the content of seed of other plant species and there are hereby prescribed in respect of such matters the limits of variation set out in Schedule 7.

(3) Section 17(3) of the Act shall apply to any particulars given to a purchaser by the seller of the seed, being particulars given or implied as in paragraph (1), in so far as they relate to the percentage germination, the percentage analytical purity or the content of seed of other plant species.

(4) A purchaser who intends to obtain a test of seed for the purposes of section 17(3) of the Act shall, not more than 10 days after delivery to that purchaser of the seed, give to the seller written notice of the purchaser’s intention and thereupon the seller may indicate a day (not being more than 21 days after delivery of the seed to the purchaser) and a reasonable time on that day at which a sample of the seed may be taken in the presence of the seller or the seller’s representative and the purchaser shall afford to the seller reasonable facilities for that purpose.

(5) On the day and at the time appointed by the seller in accordance with paragraph (4) or, if the seller fails to appoint such a day and time, on a day not more than 28 days after delivery of the seed to the purchaser, the purchaser or the purchaser’s representative may, and if the seller or the seller’s representative is present shall, take a sample from the relevant seed lot or part of a seed lot sold to the purchaser, which sample shall be at least twice the minimum weight prescribed in the Sampling Guidance.

(6) A sample taken in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (5) shall be taken, and divided by the purchaser or the purchaser’s representative into two parts in accordance with the methods specified the Sampling Guidance, each part being of at least the minimum weight prescribed in Schedule 5, of which one part shall be sent to the Chief Officer of the Official Seed Testing Station for Scotland for the purpose of being tested and the other part delivered or tendered to the seller or the seller’s representative or, if the seller or the seller’s representative was not present when the sample was taken, sent to the seller by post.

Service of notices

22.—(1) Any notice required by virtue of these Regulations to be given to any person by the Scottish Ministers may be given by them—

(a) by delivering it to that person or by leaving it at that person’s proper address or by sending it by post to that person at that address;

(b) if the person is a body corporate other than a limited liability partnership, by giving it in accordance with sub paragraph (a) to the secretary of the body;

(c) if the person is a limited liability partnership, by giving it in accordance with sub paragraph (a) to a member of the partnership; or

(d) if the person is a partnership, by giving it in accordance with sub-paragraph (a) to a partner or a person having control of the management of the partnership business.

(2) For the purposes of this regulation and section 7 (service of documents by post) of the Interpretation Act 1978(19) in its application to this regulation, the proper address of any person to whom a notice is to be given shall be that person’s last known address, except that—

(a) in the case of a seed merchant, seed packer or seed processor registered under regulation 5(1) (registrations) of the RLE Regulations or a licensed crop inspector who has a current licence granted by the Scottish Ministers or a licensed seed sampler who has a current licence granted by the Scottish Ministers, it shall be the address which could be made available by the Scottish Ministers under regulations 9, 15 or 22 of the RLE Regulations; and

(b) in other cases it shall be—

(i) in the case of a body corporate (other than a limited liability partnership) or its secretary, the address of the registered or principal office of the body;

(ii) in the case of a limited liability partnership or a member of the partnership, the address of the registered or principal office of the partnership; and

(iii) in the case of a partnership or a partner or a person having the control or management of a partnership business, the address of the principal office of the partnership.

(3) Paragraph (4) applies if a person to be given a notice under these Regulations by the Scottish Ministers has specified to them an address within the United Kingdom other than that person’s proper address (as determined under paragraph (2)) as the one at which that person or someone on that person’s behalf will accept notices of that description.

(4) In relation to that notice, that address shall be treated as that person’s proper address for the purposes of this regulation and section 7 (service of documents by post) of the Interpretation Act 1978 in its application to this regulation, instead of that determined under paragraph (2).

Written and electronic communication

23.—(1) All applications, approvals, authorisations, notices, notifications and statements to which these Regulations apply shall be made in writing.

(2) “Writing” in paragraph (1) includes an electronic communication as defined in the Electronic Communications Act 2000(20), which has been recorded and is consequently capable of being reproduced, provided that—

(a) any document of the type referred to in paragraph (1) shall only be sent to the Scottish Ministers by an electronic communication if the Scottish Ministers have represented that electronic communication is a means by which persons can send such a document to them; and

(b) notifications required to be sent by the Scottish Ministers to any person shall only be made by an electronic communication if the intended recipient has used the same form of electronic communication in communicating with the Scottish Ministers for the purpose of these Regulations or has otherwise represented that that form of electronic communication is a means by which the Scottish Ministers can communicate with them.

Amendment to the Seeds (Fees) (Scotland) Regulations 2007

24.  In Schedule 1 (matters arising under the Beet Seeds Regulations 1993) of the Seeds (Fees) (Scotland) Regulations 2007(21) for “Beet Seeds Regulations 1993” substitute “Beet Seed (Scotland) Regulations 2010”.

Revocations and supplementary provisions

25.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Regulations set out in column 1 of Schedule 8 are revoked to the extent specified in the corresponding entry in relation to those Regulations in column 3 of Schedule 8.

(2) Section 17 (repeal and re‑enactment) of the Interpretation Act 1978 shall not apply in relation to general licences granted under the Beet Seeds Regulations 1993.

RICHARD LOCHHEAD

A member of the Scottish Executive

St Andrew’s House,

Edinburgh

24th February 2010