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The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Secretary of State for Scotland and the National Assembly for Wales, being designated[1] for the purposes of section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972[2] in relation to the common agricultural policy of the European Community, acting jointly (the National Assembly for Wales acting in relation to Wales only) in exercise of the powers conferred on them by that section, hereby make the following Regulations: - Title and commencement 1. These Regulations may be cited as the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 2001 and shall come into force on 1st December 2001. Interpretation 2. - (1) In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires -
(b) any person appearing to the National Authorities to have a sufficient interest in the matter to which the decision relates; and (c) any person or organisation appearing to them to be representative of a class of persons likely to be affected by the decision;
(b) that they are satisfied a plant variety has a name suitable, in accordance with regulation 6, for publication in the Gazette; (c) to accept, or refuse to accept, an application under regulation 7; (d) to renew or not to renew the acceptance of a variety under regulation 13; or (e) to revoke the acceptance of a variety under regulation 14, replace the original acceptance of a variety under that regulation or delete the name of a person as the maintainer of a variety under regulation 14(4)(e);
(b) Council Directive 66/402/EEC[10] on the marketing of cereal seed, as last amended by Commission Directive 99/54/EC[11]; (c) Council Directive 66/401/EEC[12] on the marketing of fodder plant seed, as last amended by Council Directive 98/96/EC; (d) Council Directive 69/208/EEC[13] on the marketing of oil and fibre plant seed, as last amended by Council Directive 98/96/EC; (e) Council Directive 66/403/EEC[14] on the marketing of seed potatoes, as last amended by Commission Decision 1999/742/EC[15]; and (f) Council Directive 70/458/EEC[16] on the marketing of vegetable seed as last amended by Council Directive 98/96/EC;
(ii) as respects Northern Ireland, the Beet Seeds Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994[18];
(b) in relation to cereal seeds -
(ii) as respects Northern Ireland, the Cereal Seeds Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994[20];
(c) in relation to fodder plant seeds -
(ii) as respects Northern Ireland, the Fodder Plant Seeds Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994[22];
(d) in relation to oil and fibre plant seeds -
(ii) as respects Northern Ireland, the Oil and Fibre Plant Seeds Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994[24];
(e) in relation to seed potatoes -
(ii) as respects Scotland, the Seed Potatoes (Scotland) Regulations 2000[26]; and (iii) as respects Northern Ireland, the Seed Potatoes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001[27]; and
(f) in relation to vegetable seeds -
(ii) as respects Northern Ireland, the Vegetable Seeds Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994[29];
(b) certified seed of one or more varieties capable of shedding pollen accepted on to a National List or a Common Catalogue,
mechanically combined in proportions jointly determined by the maintainers of all the varieties in the association;
(ii) a list of another member State corresponding to a National List; or (iii) a Common Catalogue, or
(b) in respect of which an application for acceptance on to a National List or a list of another member State corresponding to a National List has been submitted and has not been determined,
(2) Subject to paragraph (3) below, in these Regulations "marketing" means -
(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.
(b) the supply of seed to a person who provides processing or packaging services but who does not thereby acquire title to the seed supplied,
shall not be regarded as marketing of seed of that variety.
(b) in so far as they are exercisable by or on behalf of the National Assembly for Wales, shall be treated as functions which are exercisable in or as regards Wales; and (c) in so far as they are exercisable by or on behalf of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, shall be treated as functions which are exercisable in or as regards Northern Ireland.
(5) Expressions in these Regulations which are not defined in the preceding paragraphs of this regulation and which appear or are referred to in the Common Catalogue Directive have the same meaning in these Regulations as in that Directive; and expressions in these Regulations which are not defined in the preceding paragraphs of this regulation and which appear or are referred to in the Vegetable Seed Marketing Directive have the same meaning in these Regulations as in that Directive.
(b) publish these National Lists in the Gazette.
(2) The National Authorities shall accept a plant variety on to a National List in accordance with these Regulations -
(b) in the case of a plant variety other than a B List vegetable variety, for purposes in relation to the certification of seed of the variety,
and the lists of vegetable plant varieties shall be subdivided into B list vegetable varieties and varieties whose seed may be certified as "pre-basic seed", "basic seed" or "certified seed", or may be controlled as "standard seed", in accordance with the Vegetable Seeds Regulations 1993 and, as respects Northern Ireland, the Vegetable Seeds Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994.
(b) varieties the seed or propagating material of which are intended for export to third countries.
(4) In respect of each variety accepted on to a National List the reference to the variety in the List shall include -
(b) except in respect of any B List vegetable variety widely known on 1st January 1973, a reference to the maintainer of the variety.
(5) If any plant variety accepted on a National List is a genetically modified variety the Secretary of State shall publish a clear indication of that fact in the List together with the reference number under which the variety has been accepted for marketing in accordance with Council Directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms.
(b) application so made which is withdrawn; (c) proposed relevant decision and the reasons for it; (d) relevant decision; (e) decision of the Tribunal made on an appeal brought in respect of a decision under these Regulations; and (f) other change made in accordance with these Regulations to a National List or an application in respect of an National List,
together with, in respect of any notice containing information about a genetically modified variety, a clear indication of that fact.
(b) a statement of the manner in which, and the period (not being less than 14 days) within which, written representations, and a request for oral representations, may be made.
(8) The National Authorities shall not make a relevant decision before the expiry of the period published in the Gazette as being the period within which written representations, and a request for oral representations, in respect of the proposal for the decision may be made.
(b) of a renewal of an acceptance of the kind referred to in subparagraph (a) above; (c) of an amendment -
(ii) to any information included in an application already made but not yet determined by the National Authorities;
(d) of a change by a maintainer of a variety on a National List to the name of the variety; or
(2) The application shall be in a legible form and -
(b) shall be accompanied by any fee prescribed under regulation 10 in relation to the application.
(3) An application for acceptance of a plant variety on to a National List shall include -
(b) where a previous application has been made in another Member State for acceptance of the plant variety concerned on any list published in that state corresponding to a National List, such copies of the documents and information relating to the previous application,
as the National Authorities may require for the purpose of determining the application.
(b) the addition of a reference in a National List to a maintainer of a variety on the List,
shall include such reproductive or other material of the plant variety, and of any of its components, as the National Authorities may require for the purpose of determining the application.
(b) fails to pay any fee prescribed under regulation 10 in relation to the application, within such period as may be specified for the payment of the fee under that regulation,
the application shall be treated as if it had been withdrawn.
(b) the variety is distinct, stable and sufficiently uniform as described in Part I of Schedule 2; (c) in respect of any variety other than a variety referred to in Part III of Schedule 2, the variety is of satisfactory value for cultivation and use as described in Part II of that Schedule; (d) in respect of a genetically modified variety, it has been accepted for marketing in accordance with Council Directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms; (e) in respect of a variety any material to be derived from which is intended for use as a food, or a food ingredient, within the meaning of article 1(2) of Council Regulation (EC)258/97[31] concerning novel foods and novel food ingredients, the food or food ingredient intended to be so derived is authorised pursuant to that Council Regulation; (f) it has a name suitable, in accordance with regulation 6, for publication in the Gazette; and (g) in respect of a variety other than a B list vegetable variety widely known on 1 January 1973, there is a maintainer of the variety accepted in accordance with regulation 7.
(4) The National Authorities may refuse to accept a plant variety on to a National List, whether or not they are satisfied of the matters in respect of the variety specified in paragraph (3) above, if they are satisfied that -
(b) cultivation of the variety could be harmful, in relation to plant health, to the cultivation of other varieties or species.
(5) The National Authorities may determine that the acceptance of a variety in accordance with the Common Catalogue Directive or the Vegetable Seed Marketing Directive on to a list published in another member State corresponding to a National List is equivalent to acceptance for inclusion on a National List and, where they so determine, may accept the variety on to a National List.
(b) in respect of a plant variety known at the time the National Authorities determine an application for its acceptance on to a National List, the name of the variety is, so far as it can be, the name under which the variety is already known at that time.
(2) For the purposes of this regulation a name of any plant variety is unsuitable if the National Authorities are satisfied that -
(b) it may commonly cause its users difficulties as regards recognition or reproduction; (c) it is identical or may be confused with a name of another plant variety as specified in article 4 of the Commission Regulation; (d) it is identical to or may be confused with another name commonly used for the marketing of goods, or which is not available by virtue of other legislation; (e) it is liable to give offence in a member State or is contrary to the public interest; or (f) it is liable to mislead or cause confusion concerning the characteristics, value or identity of the variety.
(3) For the purposes of this regulation a variety is known at the time the National Authorities determine an application for its acceptance on to a National List if -
(b) it has previously been accepted on to a National List, a list in another member State corresponding to a National List or the Common Catalogue; (c) it is not clearly distinguishable from another variety assessed, with regard to distinctness, stability and uniformity in accordance with rules corresponding to those of the Common Catalogue Directive or the Vegetable Seed Marketing Directive, in a third country -
(ii) with which there is an agreement in relation to official checks on practices for the maintenance of that other variety in the Annex to Council Decision 97/788/EC[32] on the equivalence of checks on practices for the maintenance of varieties carried out in third countries; or
(d) it is not clearly distinguishable from a variety previously accepted on to a National List, on a list in another member State corresponding to a National List or the Common Catalogue.
(4) If the National Authorities are aware that seed or propagating material of a plant variety, whose name is suitable in accordance with this regulation for publication in the Gazette, is marketed in a third country for commercial purposes under a different name, the National Authorities shall include that name in the reference to the name of the variety on the National List.
(b) may publish a notice in the Gazette that the name by reference to which the variety was accepted may be used in addition to the adapted name for a period specified in the notice.
(6) The National Authorities shall not grant an application for a change to the name of a variety accepted on to a National List or a change to the name of a variety proposed in any application for acceptance of a variety on to a National List, unless they are satisfied that the proposed new name complies with the requirements of this regulation.
(b) such information, documents, reproductive or other material of the plant variety and any of its components as the National Authorities may have required under regulation 4.
(3) The National Authorities may make arrangements for such examinations of reproductive or other material of the variety and any of its components produced by the applicant as appear to them to be necessary to establish that the material conforms with the characteristics to which regard was had when the variety was accepted on to the National List.
(b) has access to sufficient facilities and services for the purpose of enabling him to maintain the variety; and (c) is willing to maintain the variety.
(6) The National Authorities shall inform the applicant of a decision made by them under this regulation relating to the application and of the reasons for it.
(b) carrying out any official measures under the arrangement except under official supervision.
(3) An arrangement under this regulation may include such conditions as the National Authorities are of the opinion are necessary or desirable for the purposes referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) above, including conditions -
(ii) the species of plant varieties on which he may carry out the official measures; (iii) the methods to be used in connection with the official measures he carries out under the arrangement; (iv) the fees that may be charged by the person with whom the arrangement is made in relation to the official measures he carries out under it; and (v) the records that must be kept by the person with whom the arrangement is made in connection with the official measures he carries out;
(b) prohibiting the person with whom the arrangement is made from -
(ii) charging fees in relation to the official measures he carries out under the arrangement except to the extent that these do not exceed the costs he incurs in carrying them out; and
(c) prohibiting the person with whom the arrangement is made from making any further arrangement for any purpose in connection with the carrying out of any of the official measures he has arranged with the National Authorities to carry out, unless -
(ii) the further arrangement includes a condition prohibiting the making of any subsequent arrangements for any purpose in connection with the carrying out of any of the official measures in respect of which the National Authorities made the arrangement; (iii) the further arrangement includes an acknowledgement by the person with whom it is made that the National Authorities may vary, suspend or revoke the further arrangement, whether or not they also vary, suspend or revoke the arrangement they made with the person seeking their approval for the further arrangement, if it appears to them that the person with whom the further arrangement is made is not complying, or has failed to comply, with any condition of the further arrangement; and (iv) the further arrangement includes the conditions specified in subparagraphs (a) and (b) above.
(4) The National Authorities shall not approve the making of a further arrangement by any person with whom they make an arrangement under this regulation unless they are satisfied that the person with whom the further arrangement is to be made -
(b) will not carry out any official measures under the further arrangement except under official supervision.
(5) If it appears to the National Authorities that any person with whom an arrangement has been made under this regulation, or any person with whom a further arrangement has been made by any such person, has failed to comply or is failing to comply with any conditions of the arrangement or further arrangement, the National Authorities may, after giving notice to the person concerned, vary, suspend or revoke the arrangement or further arrangement; and a further arrangement may be varied, suspended or revoked under this paragraph notwithstanding that the arrangement in respect of which it was made is not also varied, suspended or revoked.
(b) in respect of a suspension, a period during which suspension shall have effect;
and the variation, suspension or revocation shall have effect in accordance with the notice.
(ii) an application to change the name of a plant variety for the purposes of these Regulations; (iii) an application in relation to the maintainer or the maintenance of a plant variety; and (iv) an application for renewal of acceptance of a variety;
(b) the examination or inspection of any documents, records or material under these Regulations. and
(3) A person with whom an arrangement or further arrangement has been made in accordance with regulation 9, may charge any person, including any other person with whom that or any other arrangement or further arrangement has been made under that regulation, reasonable fees in respect of costs reasonably incurred in carrying out official measures under the responsibility of the National Authorities in accordance with these Regulations.
(b) by a person with whom an arrangement or further arrangement has been made under regulation 9 of a fee duly charged in accordance with paragraph (3) above,
the person given the notice shall pay as specified in the notice the amount of the fee
(5) A fee charged in accordance with this regulation in respect of which reasonable notice has been given in accordance with paragraph (4) above shall be recoverable as a debt from the person given the notice.
(ii) the variety presents a risk for human health or the environment and there is an imminent danger for human health or the environment; and
(b) in relation to a plant variety not accepted on to a Common Catalogue, being a derogated species referred to in paragraph 2 of Part II of Schedule 1, means a notice specifying that marketing of the variety is prohibited on either of those grounds.
(3) If the Secretary of State has published a notice in the Gazette in respect of a variety -
(ii) the National Authorities are satisfied the variety is not suitable for cultivation in any part of the United Kingdom by reason of its type or maturity class; and
(b) specifying a date after which marketing of the variety is prohibited,
no person shall market any seeds of the variety after that date.
(b) of a derogated species specified in paragraph 1 of Part II of Schedule 1 on to a Common Catalogue,
has been revoked or has expired, no person shall market any seeds of the variety unless a residual marketing period has been specified in a notice published by the Secretary of State in the Gazette in respect of seed of that variety and that period has not expired.
(b) in a third country referred to in Council Decision 97/788/EC[33] on the equivalence of checks on practices for the maintenance of varieties carried out in third countries.
(3) The maintainer of a plant variety shall keep records of all the generations of the variety he maintains and shall on demand produce at his own expense such records for inspection by or on behalf of the National Authorities and shall also, if so required at any time, at his own expense deliver to the National Authorities samples of seed of that variety.
(b) plant materials; and (c) records,
as may in the opinion of the officer be necessary or desirable for the purposes of checking compliance with any of the provisions of this regulation.
(b) in respect of a variety other than a B List vegetable variety widely known on 1 January 1973 -
(ii) whether or not there is a maintainer of the variety, it is not being properly maintained.
(2) If after a variety is accepted on to a National List the National Authorities are satisfied that, at the time the variety was accepted, the variety was not distinct as specified in Schedule 2 they shall make such other determination as they consider to be in accordance with the Common Catalogue Directive or, in respect of a vegetable variety, the Vegetable Seed Marketing Directive; and this other determination may be a determination -
(b) to revoke and not replace the acceptance.
(3) If a determination is replaced by another determination under paragraph (2) above the variety replaced shall, with effect from the date of the determination replaced, no longer be regarded as a variety known in the Community within the meaning of article 5(1) of the Common Catalogue Directive or, in respect of a vegetable variety, the Vegetable Seed Marketing Directive.
(b) in respect of a genetically modified variety, the acceptance for marketing of the variety in accordance with Council Directive 90/220/EEC has been revoked; (c) in respect of a variety any material derived from which is intended for use as a food, or a food ingredient, within the meaning of article 2(1) of Council Regulation (EC) 258/97, the authorisation of the food or food ingredient for the purposes of that Council Regulation has been revoked; (d) false information material to the acceptance of the variety on to a National List was given to the National Authorities in relation to that acceptance; (e) the maintainer of the variety has failed to comply with a requirement of these Regulations in relation to maintenance of the variety; or (f) any fee prescribed under regulation 10 has not been paid as so prescribed,
the National Authorities may revoke the acceptance of the variety and, in respect of a failure by the maintainer of the variety to comply with a requirement of these Regulations in relation to maintenance of the variety, delete the reference to the name of that person as the maintainer of the variety.
(b) after the period specified in the notice, during which a person may apply to be a maintainer of the variety, has expired.
(8) Where the National Authorities make a determination under this regulation in relation to a variety or a maintainer of a variety, they shall inform the maintainer, and any other person whose name is in the record of the variety kept by the Secretary of State under regulation 15 below, of the determination and of the reasons for it.
(b) the date on which details of the application were published in the Gazette; (c) the name and address of the applicant; (d) the description of the characteristics of the plant variety provided by the applicant; (e) the proposed name of the variety as published in the Gazette; and (f) such other information as appears to the Secretary of State to be desirable.
(2) Subject to paragraph (3) below, in respect of each variety accepted on to a National List the Secretary of State shall keep a record of -
(b) the species, name and description of the variety and, so far as the National Authorities are aware, any other name by which the variety is known; (c) the date of acceptance of the variety on to the National List and a summary of all the facts on which the acceptance was based; (d) in respect of a genetically modified variety, the reference number under which the variety was accepted for marketing in accordance with Council Directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms; (e) in respect of a variety any material to be derived from which is intended for use as a food, or a food ingredient, within the meaning of article 1(2) of Council Regulation (EC) 258/97 concerning novel foods and novel food ingredients, the reference under which the material may be placed on the market under that Regulation; (f) the date on which the acceptance of the variety on to the National List is due to expire; (g) the name and address of any maintainer of the variety or a reference sufficient to enable their name and address to be ascertained; (h) each -
(ii) revocation of the acceptance of the variety under regulation 14; and (iii) deletion of the reference to the name of a person as the maintainer of the variety under regulation 14; and
(i) such other information as appears to the Secretary of State to be desirable.
(3) Where, for the purposes of a relevant decision under these Regulations in relation to a variety, examination of the components of the variety is necessary in order to study hybrids and synthetic varieties, the Secretary of State shall ensure, if the applicant concerned in respect of that determination so requests, that she excludes from the record kept in respect of the variety under paragraph (2) above and treats as confidential the results of the examination and the description of the components.
(b) if a request for oral representations is made within the period published for the purpose in the Gazette under regulation 3, to make oral representations about the proposed relevant decision to a person appointed by them,
or to do both, subject to the payment of any fee in respect of such representations payable under the fees Regulations.
(ii) the situation of any land or premises to be viewed in relation to the oral representations; and (iii) all other relevant circumstances;
(b) appoint a person to conduct the hearing of the oral representations; and
(ii) the Council on Tribunals or its Scottish Committee, for the purpose of enabling their representative in their capacity as such to attend the hearing.
(5) Any person entitled to make oral representations at a hearing in accordance with this regulation shall, not later than 7 days before the day appointed for the hearing, deliver to the National Authorities two copies of any documents which the person proposes to rely upon; and the National Authorities shall deliver a copy of these documents to each of the other persons who appear to them to be concerned in the matter.
(b) call witnesses; and (c) put questions directly to any witnesses called by or on behalf of any other person making oral representations at the hearing,
and may be represented for the purpose by a person of their choice.
(b) for the reference in regulation 9(3) of those Regulations to suspension of the operation of decisions pending the final determination of the appeal, in respect of any decision of the National Authorities the effect of which is to revoke the acceptance of a variety on grounds relating to human health, animal health or plant health, there shall be substituted a reference to the operation of the decision having effect in the period beginning on the date on which notice of the decision was given in accordance with these Regulations.
(4) Where -
(b) an appeal is brought against that decision; (c) by virtue of regulation 9 of the Plant Breeders' Rights Regulations 1998, as applied by paragraph (3) above, the effect of the decision is suspended pending the final determination of the appeal; and (d) the appeal is determined in favour of the appellant,
the Secretary of State shall publish a notice in the Gazette confirming the appeal has been successful and, accordingly, that the variety is still accepted on to the National List.
(b) without reasonable cause, fail to give to any person acting in the execution of these Regulations any assistance or information which that person may reasonably require of him for the purpose of carrying out his functions under these Regulations; or (c) furnish to any person acting in the execution of these Regulations any information which he knows to be false or misleading.
(2) Nothing in paragraph (1)(b) above shall be construed as requiring any person to answer any question or give any information if to do so might incriminate him.
(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both.
(2) Where a body corporate is guilty of an offence under these Regulations, and that offence is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to have been attributable to any neglect on the part of -
(b) any person who was purporting to act in any such capacity, he, as well as the body corporate, shall be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1) above, "director", in relation to a body corporate whose affairs are managed by its members, means a member of the body corporate.
(b) where he has previously appeared before a court in connection with the alleged offence, within one month of his first such appearance,
he has served on the prosecutor a notice in writing giving such information identifying or assisting in the identification of that other person as was then in his possession.
section 26 (use of samples in criminal proceedings); section 27 (tampering with samples); section 28 (institution of criminal proceedings), subject to the modification that it shall apply to proceedings in respect of any offence under these Regulations as it applies to the proceedings to which it refers; section 29(1) (application of Part II to seed potatoes); and section 30(2) (interpretation of Part II: contravention and failure of compliance).
(2) As respects Northern Ireland, the following provisions of the Seeds Act (Northern Ireland) 1965[35] shall apply for the purposes of these Regulations as they apply for the purposes of seeds Regulations having effect under that Act and, unless the context otherwise requires, any reference in them to seeds Regulations or to that Act shall be construed as a reference to these Regulations -
section 9 (use of samples in criminal proceedings); section 10 (tampering with samples); section 11 (institution of criminal proceedings), subject to the modification that it shall apply to proceedings in respect of any offence under these Regulations as it applies to the proceedings to which it refers; section 12(1) (application of the Act to seed potatoes); and section 14(2) (interpretation: contravention and failure of compliance).
Enforcement
(b) in relation to Scotland, by the Scottish Ministers; (c) in relation to Wales, by the National Assembly for Wales; and (d) in relation to Northern Ireland, by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Service of notices etc.
(b) in the case of an incorporated body, by delivering it to their secretary or clerk at their registered or principal office, or by sending it by post to him at that office; or (c) in the case of any other person, by leaving it, or sending it by post to him, at his usual or last known address.
(2) Where a notice or other document is to be given or served on the owner, proprietor, operator or occupier of any premises and it is not practicable after reasonable enquiry to ascertain the name and address of the person to or on whom it should be given or served, or the premises are unoccupied, the document may be given or served by addressing it to the person concerned by the description of "owner", "proprietor", "operator" or "occupier" of the premises (naming them) and -
(b) if there is no person on the premises to whom it can be delivered, by affixing it, or a copy of it, to some conspicuous part of the premises.
Revocations and savings and transitional provisions
(b) the following provisions of the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) (Fees) Regulations 1994 shall be revoked: sub-paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of regulation 3(1), paragraphs (2), (2A) and (4) of that regulation, regulation 4, Schedules 1, 2, 3 and 4 and paragraphs 1, 4, 5 and 6 of Schedule 5; and (c) the following provisions of the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) (Fees) Regulations 1994 shall be amended -
(2) Any application -
(b) referred to in regulation 5A of the 1982 Regulations (inserted by the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) (Amendment) Regulations 1998[37]), and treated as being lawfully entertained in accordance with regulation 5(1) of those Regulations, but not determined at the coming into force of these Regulations,
shall be treated as an application referred to in paragraph (1) of regulation 4 of these Regulations and accordingly shall be subject to the remaining provisions of that regulation (in respect of anything needing to be done at the coming into force of these Regulations in relation to the application by or on behalf of the applicant) and shall be determined in accordance with these Regulations.
(b) made in respect of an application referred to in regulation 5A of those Regulations and treated as having been lawfully entertained in accordance with regulation 5(1) of those Regulations; or (c) renewed under regulation 14 of those Regulations,
and having effect at the coming into force of these Regulations, shall have effect as an acceptance of the variety on to that List in accordance with the provisions of these Regulations.
(b) proposed and taken under those Regulations at the coming into force of these Regulations,
shall have effect as if they were oral or written representations made in accordance with regulation 16 of these Regulations.
(b) has been made to that Tribunal but not finally determined,
shall have effect respectively as an appeal which may be or has been made to the Tribunal under regulation 17 of these Regulations.
(ii) in regulation 5(1) for the words "no person shall market any seeds unless they are seeds of plant varieties which may, for the time being, be marketed in accordance with regulation 31 of the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982 unless they are marketed in seed lots or parts of seed lots and unless they are" there shall be substituted the words "no person shall market any seeds of a plant variety of a species specified in Part I of Schedule 1 to the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 2001 unless the variety is accepted on to a National List or the Common Catalogue, unless the seeds are marketed in seed lots or parts of seed lots and unless they are"; (iii) in regulation 5(3)(c) for the words "the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982" there shall be substituted the words "paragraph (1) above"; (iv) after paragraph (3) of regulation 5 there shall be added the following paragraph -
(b) in the Beet Seeds Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994 -
(ii) in regulation 5(1) for the words "a person shall not market any seeds unless they are seeds of plant varieties which may, for the time being, be marketed in accordance with regulation 31 of the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982 unless they are marketed in seed lots or parts of seed lots and unless they are" there shall be substituted the words "a person shall not market any seeds of a plant variety of a species specified in Part I of Schedule 1 to the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 2001 unless the variety is accepted on to a National List or the Common Catalogue, unless the seeds are marketed in seed lots or parts of seed lots and unless they are"; (iii) in regulation 5(3)(c) for the words "the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982" there shall be substituted the words "paragraph (1) above"; (iv) after paragraph (3) of regulation 5 there shall be added the following paragraph -
(3) In relation to cereal seeds -
(ii) in regulation 5(1) for the words "no person shall market any seeds unless they are seeds of plant varieties which may be marketed in accordance with regulation 31 of the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982 unless they are marketed in seed lots or parts of seed lots and unless they are" there shall be substituted the words "no person shall market any seeds of a plant variety of a species specified in Part I of Schedule 1 to the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 2001 unless the variety is accepted on to a National List or the Common Catalogue, unless the seeds are marketed in seed lots or parts of seed lots and unless they are"; (iii) in regulation 5(3)(c) for the words "the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982" there shall be substituted the words "paragraph (1) above"; (iv) after paragraph (3) of regulation 5 there shall be added the following paragraph -
(b) in the Cereal Seeds Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994 -
(ii) in regulation 5(1) for the words "a person shall not market any seeds unless they are seeds of plant varieties which may, for the time being, be marketed in accordance with regulation 31 of the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982 unless they are marketed in seed lots or parts of seed lots and unless they are" there shall be substituted the words "a person shall not market any seeds of a plant variety of a species specified in Part I of Schedule 1 to the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 2001 unless the variety is accepted on to a National List or the Common Catalogue, unless the seeds are marketed in seed lots or parts of seed lots and unless they are"; (iii) in regulation 5(3)(c) for the words "the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982" there shall be substituted the words "paragraph (1) above"; (iv) after paragraph (3) of regulation 5 there shall be added the following paragraph -
(4) In relation to fodder plant seeds -
(ii) in regulation 5(1)(b) for the words "seeds of plant varieties which may, for the time being, be marketed in accordance with regulation 31 of the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982 and which are" there shall be substituted the words "seeds of a plant variety of a species specified in Part I of Schedule 1 to the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 2001 accepted on to a National List or the Common Catalogue and which are"; (iii) in regulation 5(3)(c) for the words "the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982" there shall be substituted the words "paragraph (1)(b) above"; (iv) after paragraph (3) of regulation 5 there shall be added the following paragraph -
(b) in the Fodder Plant Seeds Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994 -
(ii) in regulation 5(1)(b) for the words "seeds of plant varieties which may, for the time being, be marketed in accordance with regulation 31 of the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982 and which are" there shall be substituted the words "seeds of a plant variety of a species specified in Part I of Schedule 1 to the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 2001 accepted on to a National List or the Common Catalogue and which are"; (iii) in regulation 5(3)(c) for the words "the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982" there shall be substituted the words "paragraph (1)(b) above"; (iv) after paragraph (3) of regulation 5 there shall be added the following paragraph -
(5) In relation to oil and fibre plant seeds -
(ii) in regulation 5(1)(b) for the words "seeds of plant varieties which may, for the time being, be marketed in accordance with regulation 31 of the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982 and which are" there shall be substituted the words "seeds of a plant variety of a species specified in Part I of Schedule 1 to the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 2001 accepted on to a National List or the Common Catalogue and which are"; (iii) in regulation 5(3)(c) for the words "the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982" there shall be substituted the words "paragraph (1)(b) above"; (iv) after paragraph (3) of regulation 5 there shall be added the following paragraph -
(b) in the Oil and Fibre Plant Seeds Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994 -
(ii) in regulation 5(1)(b) for the words "seeds of plant varieties which may, for the time being, be marketed in accordance with regulation 31 of the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982 and which are" there shall be substituted the words "seeds of a plant variety of a species specified in Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 2001 accepted on to a National List or the Common Catalogue and which are"; (iii) in regulation 5(3)(c) for the words "the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982" there shall be substituted the words "paragraph (1)(b) above"; (iv) after paragraph (3) of regulation 5 there shall be added the following paragraph -
(6) In relation to seed potatoes -
(b) in paragraph 3(b) of Schedule 1 to the Seed Potatoes (Scotland) Regulations 2000, for the words "the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982" there shall be substituted the words "the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 2001"; and (c) in paragraph 2(a) of Schedule 1 to the Seed Potatoes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, for the words "the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982" there shall be substituted the words "the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 2001".
(7) In relation to vegetable seeds -
(ii) in regulation 5(1) for the words "no person shall market any seeds unless they are seeds of plant varieties which may, for the time being, be marketed in accordance with regulation 31 of the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982, unless they are marketed in seed lots or parts of seed lots and unless they are" there shall be substituted the words "no person shall market any seeds of a plant variety of a species specified in Part I of Schedule 1 to the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 2001 unless the variety is accepted on to a National List or the Common Catalogue and no person shall market any seeds of a plant variety of a derogated species specified in paragraph 1 of Part II of Schedule 1 to those Regulations unless the variety is accepted on to the Common Catalogue; and no person shall market any seeds of a plant variety of a species specified in Part I of that Schedule or paragraph 1 of Part II of that Schedule unless the seeds are marketed in seed lots or parts of seed lots and unless they are"; (iii) in regulation 5(4)(c) for the words "the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982" there shall be substituted the words "paragraph (1) above"; (iv) after paragraph (4) of regulation 5 there shall be added the following paragraph -
(vi) in regulation 6(5), for the words "regulation 31 of the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982" there shall be substituted the words "regulation 5(1) above"; and
(b) in the Vegetable Seeds Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994 -
(ii) in regulation 5(1) for the words "a person shall not market any seeds unless they are seeds of plant varieties which may, for the time being, be marketed in accordance with regulation 31 of the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982 unless they are marketed in seed lots or parts of seed lots and unless they are" there shall be substituted the words "a person shall not market any seeds of a plant variety of a species specified in Part I of Schedule 1 to the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 2001 unless the variety is accepted on to a National List or the Common Catalogue and a person shall not market any seeds of a plant variety of a derogated species specified in paragraph 1 of Part II of Schedule 1 to those Regulations unless the variety is accepted on to the Common Catalogue; and a person shall not market any seeds of a plant variety of a species specified in Part I of that Schedule or paragraph 1 of Part II of that Schedule unless the seeds are marketed in seed lots or parts of seed lots and unless they are"; (iii) in regulation 5(4)(c) for the words "the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982" there shall be substituted the words "paragraph (1) above"; (iv) after paragraph (4) of regulation 5 there shall be added the following paragraph -
(vi) in regulation 6(5), for the words "regulation 31 of the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982" there shall be substituted the words "regulation 5(1) above".
Agricultural crop varieties 1. Plants conforming with the characteristics of cultivated plant varieties of the following species intended for agricultural production but not for ornamental use:
Vegetable varieties 2. Plants conforming with the characteristics of cultivated plant varieties of the following species intended for agricultural or horticultural production but not for ornamental use:
Derogation in respect of requirement to provide a national list 1. Plants conforming with the characteristics of cultivated plant varieties of the following species intended for agricultural or horticultural production but not for ornamental use: Agricultural crop species
Vegetable species
Derogation in respect of requirement to provide a national list or restrict marketing 2. Other plants conforming with the characteristics of cultivated plant varieties of the following species intended for agricultural or horticultural production but not for ornamental use: Agricultural crop species
Vegetable species
Distinctness 1. - (1) A plant variety shall be regarded as distinct if, whatever the origin, artificial or natural, of the initial variation from which it has resulted, it is clearly distinguishable in one or more important characteristics from any other variety known in the Community at the time when the application for acceptance of the variety is duly made. (2) The characteristics of a variety must be capable of precise recognition and precise definition. (3) Where a variety is known in the Community at the time when an application for acceptance of a variety is duly made, but is no longer known in the Community when that application is determined, for the purpose of determining distinctness as part of that application the variety no longer known in the Community shall be disregarded. Stability 2. A variety shall be regarded as stable if, after successive propagation or multiplications, or, where the applicant has defined a particular cycle of propagations or multiplications, at the end of each cycle, it remains true to the description of its essential characteristics. Sufficient uniformity 3. A plant variety shall be regarded as sufficiently uniform if, apart from a very few aberrations, the plants of which it is composed are, account being taken of the distinctive features of the reproductive system of the plants, similar or genetically identical as regards the characteristics, taken as a whole, considered by the National Authorities for the purpose of determining whether the variety is sufficiently uniform. Satisfactory value for cultivation and use 1. - (1) The value of a variety for cultivation or use shall be regarded as satisfactory if compared to other varieties accepted in a National List its qualities taken as a whole offer, at least as far as production in any given region is concerned, a clear improvement either for cultivation or as regards the uses which can be made of the crops or the products derived from the crops. (2) Where other superior characteristics are present individual inferior characteristics may be disregarded. Satisfactory value for cultivation and use of component varieties of varietal associations 2. - (1) Where a variety is intended solely for use as a component of a varietal association the value of the variety for cultivation or use shall be regarded as satisfactory if compared to other varieties accepted in a National List the qualities of the varietal association taken as a whole offer, at least as far as production in any given region is concerned, a clear improvement either for cultivation or as regards the uses which can be made of the crops or the products derived from the crops resulting from the varietal association. (2) Where other superior characteristics are present in the varietal association individual inferior characteristics in it may be disregarded. Part II of this Schedule does not apply to -
(b) varieties of grasses not intended for the production of fodder plants if the applicant declares that the seed of the variety is not intended for the production of fodder plants; (c) any plant variety whose seed is to be marketed in another member State which has already accepted it on to a list corresponding to a National List, having regard to its value for cultivation and use; or (d) any variety intended for use only as a component of a final plant variety.
(This note is not part of the Regulations) These Regulations, which extend to the whole of the United Kingdom, revoke and replace the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982, S.I. 1982/844 as amended. The Regulations give effect to Council Directives 70/457/EEC (OJ No. L225, 12.10.1970, p. 1) on the common catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species and those elements of Council Directive 70/458/EEC (OJ No. L225, 12.10.1970, p. 7) on the marketing of vegetable seed which require member States to establish national lists of vegetable varieties. These directives were last amended by Council Directive 98/95/EC (OJ No. L25, 1.2.1999, p. 1) in respect of the consolidation of the internal market, genetically modified plant varieties and plant genetic resources and Council Directive 98/96/EC (OJ No. L25, 1.2.1999, p. 27) as regards naming of plant varieties. The amending directives also amended directives in respect of the marketing of seeds. Certain requirements of Council Directive 98/95/EC have not been transposed in full in these Regulations where there is existing provision in the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c. 43). Part VI of that Act makes general provision for preventing damage to the environment from the release of genetically modified organisms. Relevant provisions include carrying out environmental risk assessments for genetically modified plant varieties, imposition of conditions appropriate for their cultivation and prohibition of their use where their cultivation could be harmful. Regulation 1 provides the title of the Regulations and the coming into force date of 1st December 2001. Regulation 2 defines expressions used in the Regulations and provides that expressions in the Regulations not so defined and which appear in Council Directives 70/457/EEC and 70/458/EEC have the same meaning in the Regulations as they have in those directives. Regulation 3 makes provision in relation to National Lists of plant varieties prepared and published in the Plant Varieties and Seeds Gazette. Regulation 4 provides for applications in relation to national lists, regulation 5 provides for acceptance of plant varieties and regulation 6 makes provision for the naming of plant varieties. The National Authorities must be satisfied of the matters referred to in regulation 5(3) for acceptance on to National Lists of plant varieties of the species specified in Schedule 1. These include matters relating to genetically modified organisms; distinctness, stability and sufficient uniformity described in Part I of Schedule 2; and, in respect of the species of plant varieties other than the species described in Part III of Schedule 2, value for cultivation and use as described in Part II of Schedule 2. Regulation 7 makes provision in relation to maintainers of plant varieties. Regulation 8 makes provision in relation to official measures and regulation 9 makes provision for arrangements for official measures. Regulation 10 makes provision for the charging of fees. National Authorities and persons with whom arrangements are made under regulation 9 may charge reasonable fees to cover the costs they reasonably incur in carrying out official measures. National Authorities may also charge persons concerned in matters connected with the Regulations reasonable fees to cover the costs the National Authorities reasonably incur in relation to the administration of official measures for the purposes of these Regulations; for example the administration and determination of applications for acceptance of plant varieties on to the National Lists. Regulation 11 makes provision for marketing prohibition notices. Regulation 12 makes provision for maintenance of plant varieties accepted on to national lists. Regulation 13 provides that acceptance of plant varieties is initially for a period of 10 years and provides the conditions for renewal of acceptance. Regulation 14 provides for revocation of acceptance of plant varieties and maintainers of plant varieties and regulation 15 makes provision for records. Regulation 16 makes provision for representations and hearings in respect of proposed relevant decisions and regulation 17 makes provision for appeals against relevant decisions, except those in respect of naming of plant varieties. Regulation 18 makes provision for obstruction and regulation 19 for offences and penalties. Regulation 20 makes provision for offences due to the fault of another person and the defence of due diligence, regulation 21 applies provisions of the Plant Varieties and Seeds Act 1964 and the Seeds Act (Northern Ireland) 1965 for the purposes of the Regulations, regulation 22 makes provision for enforcement and regulation 23 for service of notices etc. Regulation 24 revokes the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982, and the provisions of the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) (Fees) Regulations 1994 replaced by regulation 10 of these Regulations, with consequential amendments, savings and transitional provisions. Regulation 25 amends Seeds Marketing Regulations. A regulatory impact assessment has been prepared for these Regulations and placed in the library of each House of Parliament. Copies of the assessment can be obtained from the Plant Variety Rights Office and Seeds Division of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, White House Lane, Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB3 0LF. Notes: [1] S.I. 1972/1811; in the case of the National Assembly for Wales by S.I. 1999/2788.back [3] OJ No. L108, 5.5.2000, p. 3.back [4] OJ No. L225, 12.10.1970, p. 1. (English Special Edition Supplement Series 1 (66-70) p. 36); as last amended by Council Directive 98/96/EC (OJ No. L25, 1.2.1999, p. 27).back [5] S.I. 1994/676; amended by S.I. 1995/607, 1997/383, 1998/1022 and 1999/1090.back [6] 1964 c. 14; see section 38(1) for a definition of "the Ministers". Under the Transfer of Functions (Wales) (No. 1) Order 1978 (S.I. 1978/272), article 2(1) and Schedule 1, the functions of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under the Plant Varieties and Seeds Act 1964 were, so far as they are exercisable in relation to Wales, transferred to the Secretary of State; and under the National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/672), article 2(1) and Schedule 1, the functions of the Secretary of State transferred by the 1978 transfer order were transferred to the National Assembly for Wales. The functions of the Secretary of State for Scotland are, so far as they are exercisable within devolved competence, now exercisable by the Scottish Ministers by virtue of section 53(1) of the Scotland Act 1998 (c. 46).back [7] OJ No. L117, 8.5.90, p. 15; as last amended by Commission Decision 98/294/EC, OJ No. L131, 5.5.98.back [8] OJ No. 125, 11.7.66, p. 2297, OJ/SE 1965-66, p. 124.back [9] OJ No. L25, 1.2.1999, p. 27.back [10] OJ No. 125, 11.7.66, p. 2309, OJ/SE 1965-66, p. 143.back [11] OJ No. L18, 23.1.1999, p. 1.back [12] OJ No. 125, 11.7.66, p. 2298, OJ/SE 1965-66, p. 132.back [13] OJ No. L169, 10.7.69, p. 3, OJ/SE 1969 (II), p. 315.back [14] OJ No. 125, 11.7.66, p. 2302/66, OJ/SE 1965-66, p.154.back [15] OJ No. L297, 18.11.99, p. 39.back [16] OJ No. L225, 12.10.1970, p. 7, OJ/SE 1970 (III), p.674.back [17] S.I. 1993/2006, as amended by S.I. 1997/616, S.I. 1999/1861 and, as respects England, S.I. 2000/1791; and, as respects Scotland, S.S.I. 2000/246.back [18] S.R. 1994 No. 251 as amended by S.R. 1997 No. 240, S.R. 2000 No. 52 and S.R. 2001 No. 331.back [19] S.I. 1993/2005, as amended by S.I. 1995/1482, S.I. 1997/616, S.I. 1999/1860 and, as respects England, S.I. 1999/2196 and S.I. 2000/1793; and, as respects Scotland, S.S.I. 2000/248.back [20] S.R. 1994 No. 254, as amended by S.R. 1995 No. 366, S.R. 1997 No. 240, S.R. 2000 No. 53, S.R. 2000 No. 128 and S.R. 2001 No. 330.back [21] S.I. 1993/2009, as amended by S.I. 1993/2529, S.I. 1996/1453, S.I. 1997/616, S.I. 1999/1864 and, as respects England, S.I. 2000/1792; and as respects Scotland, S.S.I. 2000/247.back [22] S.R. 1994 No. 252, as amended by S.R. 1996 No. 311, S.R. 1997 No. 240, S.R. 2000 No. 54 and S.R. 2001 No. 329.back [23] S.I. 1993/2007, as amended by S.I. 1994/1423, S.I. 1996/1451, S.I. 1997/616, S.I. 1999/1862 and, as respects England, S.I. 2000/1789; and, as respects Scotland, S.S.I. 2000/249.back [24] S.R. 1994, No. 255, as amended by S.R. 1996 No. 312, S.R. 1997 No. 240, S.R. 2000 No. 55 and S.R. 2001 No. 328.back [25] S.I. 1991/2206, as amended by S.I. 1992/1031, S.I. 1993/1878, S.I. 1994/2592, S.I. 1997/1474 and, as respects England, S.I. 2000/1788; and, as respects Scotland, S.S.I. 2000/201.back [28] S.I. 1993/2008, as amended by S.I. 1996/1452 and 1997/616, S.I. 1999/1863 and, as respects England, S.I. 2000/1790; and, as respects Scotland, S.S.I. 2000/250.back [29] S.R. 1994 No. 250, as amended by S.R. 1996 No. 313, S.R. 1997 No. 240, S.R. 2000 No. 56 and S.R. 2001 No. 327.back [31] OJ No. L43, 14.2.1997, p. 1.back [32] OJ No. L322, 25.11.97, p. 39.back [33] OJ No. L322, 25.11.97, p. 39.back [36] S.I. 1982/844; amended by S.I. 1985/1529, S.I. 1989/1314, S.I. 1990/1353, S.I. 1992/1615 and S.I. 1998/2726.back
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