Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations consolidate, with amendments, the provisions of the Oil and Fibre Plant Seeds Regulations 1985, as amended.
The Regulations, which come into force on 1st September 1993, continue to restrict the marketing in Great Britain of seeds of oil and fibre plants to specified categories meeting precribed standards (regulations 3(3), 5(1) and Schedule 4), to require such seeds to be sold in sealed packages labelled or marked with prescribed particulars (regulations 8 and 9 and Schedule 6) and to make tampering with labels prescribed by regulations an offence (regulation 9(14)). The Regulations also continue to make provision for the taking of samples for the verification of standards (regulation 7 and Schedule 5) and provide that certain particulars stated or implied on a package of seeds are deemed to constitute a statutory warranty by the seller for the protection of the purchaser for the purpose of section 17 of the Plant Varieties and Seeds Act 1964 (regulation 10(1)).
The consolidation incorporates a provision, required under Council Directive 88/380/EEC (OJ No. L187, 16.7.88, p.31), and previously dealt with by a General Licence under Regulation 5(3)(d) of the 1985 Regulations. This relates to the marketing to other Member States of seed in respect of which an official certificate has not been issued (regulation 5(12) and Schedule 6 Part I G).
The Regulations implement Council Directive 69/208/EEC (OJ No. L169, 10.7.69, p.3) (OJ/SE 1969(ii), p.315) on the marketing of seed of oil and fibre plants as amended.