The Vegetable Seeds Regulations 1993

Regulations 3(1) and (3), 5(4), (6), (7) and (8) and 9(2)

SCHEDULE 4 E+W+S REQUIREMENTS FOR BASIC SEED, CERTIFIED SEEDAND STANDARD SEED

PART I E+W+S BASIC SEED AND CERTIFIED SEED

CONDITIONS RELATING TO CROPS FROM WHICH SEEDS ARE OBTAINED E+W+S

1.  So far as the Minister can ascertain them, by the use of methods which shall include official examination of the crop and which may, at such stages in the production of a variety as the Minister may require, include examination of a plot sown with a sample from the seed lot sown in the field and the consideration of any other relevant information, the requirements for the crop set out below shall be met. E+W+S

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 4 Pt. I para. 1 in force at 1.9.1993, see reg. 1

Varietal identity and varietal purity E+W+S

2.  The characteristics for the determination of varietal identity and varietal purity shall be those recognised as those of the variety for the purposes of the National List or the Common Catalogue.

Commencement Information

I2 Sch. 4 Pt. I para. 2 in force at 1.9.1993, see reg. 1

Crop inspections E+W+S

3.  The crop shall be officially examined in such manner and at such times (when the cultural condition of the field and the stage of development and condition of the crop are such as to permit suitable checks of varietal identity, varietal purity and species purity to be made) as the Minister may reasonably require.

Commencement Information

I3 Sch. 4 Pt. I para. 3 in force at 1.9.1993, see reg. 1

Crop health E+W+S

4.  The crop shall be of a satisfactory state of health insofar as seed-borne diseases and organisms affecting the seeds are concerned.

Commencement Information

I4 Sch. 4 Pt. I para. 4 in force at 1.9.1993, see reg. 1

Previous cropping E+W+S

5.  The crop may be grown only on land which has not previously been cropped in a manner that might adversely affect the nature or quality of the seeds to be produced and which complies with the Minister’s requirements in that respect.

Commencement Information

I5 Sch. 4 Pt. I para. 5 in force at 1.9.1993, see reg. 1

Isolation distances E+W+S

6.  There shall be either a physical barrier or at least 2 metres of fallow between the seed crop and any crop likely to cause contamination in the seed.

Commencement Information

I6 Sch. 4 Pt. I para. 6 in force at 1.9.1993, see reg. 1

7.  Throughout the period of flowering of the crop there shall be the following minimum distances from sources of undesirable pollen capable of fertilising the seed crop—

(a) Beta species

from any pollen sources of the genus Beta not included in subparagraphs (ii) or (iii)

1000m

(ii) from pollen sources of varieties of the same sub-species belonging to a different group of varieties—

Crops to produce Basic Seed	1000m
Crops to produce Certified Seed	600m

(iii) from pollen sources of varieties of the same sub-species belonging to the same group of varieties—

Crops to produce Basic Seed	1000m
Crops to produce Certified Seed	600m

(b) Brassica species—

Crops to produce Basic Seed	1000m
Crops to produce Certified Seed	600m

(c) other cross-fertilised vegetable species—

Crops to produce Basic Seed	500m
Crops to produce Certified Seed	300m

With the approval of the Minister, these distances may be modified if there is adequate protection against undesirable pollen.

For the purposes of this paragraph the groups of varieties of the Beta species shall be those set out in the following table classified in groups according to their characteristics. Where the crop is of a genetically monogerm variety, multigerm varieties shall be deemed to belong to a different group—

(1) Beta vulgaris L. var. vulgaris, Spinach beet, chard

1	2
Group	Characteristics
1	White petiole and pale green leaf blade, without anthocyanin coloration.
2	White petiole and medium or dark green leaf blade, without anthocyanin coloration.
3	Green petiole and medium or dark green leaf blade, without anthocyanin coloration.
4	Pink petiole and medium or dark green leaf blade.
5	Red petiole and leaf blade with anthocyanin coloration.

(2) Beta vulgaris L. Var. conditiva Alef., red beet or beetroot

1	2
Group	Characteristics
1	Transverse narrow elliptic or transverse elliptic shape of root longitudinal section and root flesh red or purple.
2	Circular or broad elliptic shape of root longitudinal section and root flesh white.
3	Circular or broad elliptic shape of root longitudinal section and root flesh yellow.
4	Circular or broad elliptic shape of root longitudinal section and root flesh red or purple.
5	Narrow oblong shape of root longitudinal section and root flesh red or purple.
6	Narrow obtriangular shape of root longitudinal section and root flesh red or purple.

Commencement Information

I7 Sch. 4 Pt. I para. 7 in force at 1.9.1993, see reg. 1

Varietal purity standards E+W+S

8.—(a) For crops of Brassicas, French bean, broad bean, and pea the minimum varietal purity standards shall be:—

Kind	Varietal purity percentage by number in crops to produce
Basic Seed	Certified Seed
Brassicas (other than turnip)	99.8	99.5
Turnip	99.7	98.0
French bean	99.8	99.0
Broad Bean	99.7	99.0
Peas	99.995	99.995

(b) Within the standards laid down in (a) above the maximum percentage of flower colour off-types shall not exceed the percentages here specified:—

Kind	Basic Seed	Certified Seed
French bean	0.1	0.5
Broad bean	NIL	0.01
Peas	NIL	NIL

Commencement Information

I8 Sch. 4 Pt. I para. 8 in force at 1.9.1993, see reg. 1

PART II E+W+S

BASIC SEED, CERTIFIED SEED AND STANDARD SEED CONDITIONS RELATING TO THE SEEDS E+W+S

1.  The seeds shall possess adequate varietal identity and varietal purity. E+W+S

Commencement Information

I9 Sch. 4 Pt. II para. 1 in force at 1.9.1993, see reg. 1

2.  The seeds shall meet the following minimum standards:— E+W+S

Kind	Minimum analytical purity (% by weight)	Maximum content of seeds of other plant species (% by weight)	Minimum germination (% of pure seeds or pellets)
Asparagus	96	0.5	70
Beet (except var. Cheltenham)	97	0.5	70 (Clusters)
Beet (var. Cheltenham)	97	0.5	50 (Clusters)
Broad bean	98	0.1	80
Brussels sprouts	97	1	75
Cabbage	97	1	75
Calabrese	97	1	75
Carrot	95	1	65
Cauliflower	97	1	70
Celeriac	97	1	70
Celery	97	1	70
Chicory	95	1.5	65
Chinese cabbage	97	1	75
Cucumber	98	0.1	80
Curly Kale or borecole	97	1	75
Endive	95	1	65
French bean	98	0.1	75
Gherkin	98	0.1	80
Gourd	98	0.1	80
Kohl rabi	97	1	75
Leek	97	0.5	65
Lettuce	95	0.5	75
Marrow	98	0.1	75
Melon	98	0.1	75
Onion	97	0.5	70
Parsley	97	1	65
Pea	98	0.1	80
Radish	97	1	70
Red Cabbage	97	1	75
Runner bean	98	0.1	80
Savoy cabbage	97	1	75
Spinach	97	1	75
Sprouting broccoli	97	1	75
Tomato	97	0.5	75
Turnip	97	1	80

(b) Additional requirements

(i) Seeds of runner beans, French bean, pea or broad bean must not be contaminated by the following live pea and bean seed beetles:

• Acanthoscelides obtectusSay.

• Bruchus affinisFro.

• Bruchus atomariusL.

• Bruchus pisorumL.

• Bruchus rufimanusBoh.

(ii) Seeds must not be contaminated with live mites (Acarina).

Commencement Information

I10 Sch. 4 Pt. II para. 2 in force at 1.9.1993, see reg. 1

3.  The seeds shall be of a satisfactory state of health in so far as seed-borne diseases and organisms affecting the seeds are concerned. The following standards or measures shall apply:— E+W+S

Kind	Disease	Category	No. of seeds to be examined	Standard
* Where infected seeds are found an effective treatment approved by the Minister must be applied before the seeds can be officially certified.
† Where not more than 20 infected seeds are found in Basic Seed, or more than 20 infected seeds are found in Certified Seed an effective treatment approved by the Minister must be applied before the seeds can be officially certified.
Brassicas	Phoma lingam(Canker)	Basic Seed	1,000	*Nil infection
Red beet or beetroot	Phoma betae(Blackleg)	Basic Seed	200	*Nil Infection
Celery	Septoria apiicola(Leaf blight),	Basic Seed Certified Seed	400	*Nil infection
Peas	Phoma apiicola(Root rot)
	Ascochyta pisi	Basic Seed	200	*Nil infection
	Mycosphaerella pinodes, Ascochyta pinodella, (Leaf and pod spot)	Certified Seed	200	†Not more than 20 seeds
Lettuce	Lettuce mosaic virus	Basic Seed Certified Seed	5,000	Nil Infection
French beans	(i) Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (Anthracnose)	Basic Seed	600	Nil infection
	(ii) Pseudomonas phaseolicola(Halo blight)	Basic Seed	5,000	Nil infection
Broad beans	Ascochyta fabae(Leaf and pod spot)	Basic Seed	600	Nil infection

Commencement Information

I11 Sch. 4 Pt. II para. 3 in force at 1.9.1993, see reg. 1