Citation, commencement and extent

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Seed (Fees) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 and come into force on 1st January 2012.

2. These Regulations extend to Scotland only.

Interpretation

3.-(1) In these Regulations-

"the 2006 Regulations" means the Seed (Registration, Licensing and Enforcement) (Scotland) Regulations 2006(2);

"the relevant person" means-

"the Seed Marketing Regulations" means-

(2) Other words and expressions used in these Regulations have the same meaning as they do in the Seed Marketing Regulations or, as the case may be, the 2006 Regulations.

Fees for matters set out in Schedule 1

4.-(1) Paragraph (2) applies to matters set out in Schedule 1 relating to the Seed Marketing Regulations.

(2) Where this paragraph applies-

(a)the relevant person must charge the appropriate fee for the matter set out in Schedule 1; and

(b)the fee must be paid to the relevant person within one month of demand.

Fees for matters set out in Schedule 2

5.-(1) Paragraph (2) applies to matters set out in Schedule 2 relating to the 2006 Regulations.

(2) Where this paragraph applies-

(a)the Scottish Ministers must charge the appropriate fee for the matter set out in Schedule 2; and

(b)the fee must be paid to the Scottish Ministers within the relevant timescale set out in Schedule 2.

Reduced or additional fees

6.-(1) Where an application in respect of a matter set out in Schedule 1 is withdrawn before arrangements have been made for the purposes of an official examination, the appropriate fee set out in paragraph A of Schedule 1 (initial fee) is-

(a)reduced to the sum of £2.75 per hectare or part thereof; and

(b)otherwise not due (and if already paid must be repaid).

(2) Where an application in respect of a matter set out in Schedule 1 is not made by the applicable date, a fee of £29.00 per crop must be charged by the relevant person in addition to the appropriate fee set out in paragraph A of Schedule 1, and the fee must be paid to the relevant person within one month of demand.

(3) Where in relation to an application in respect of a matter set out in Schedule 1-

(a)arrangements have been made for an official examination to be carried out by a licensed crop inspector; and

(b)the applicant subsequently requests that the examination be carried out instead by the Scottish Ministers,

a fee of £29.00 per crop must be charged by the Scottish Ministers in addition to the appropriate fee set out in paragraph B of Schedule 1, and the fee must be paid to the Scottish Ministers within one month of demand.

(4) In paragraph (2), "the applicable date" means the date for enabling arrangements to be made for an official examination of a crop grown to produce seed of a species to which the Seed Marketing Regulations apply.

Exemptions

7. The Scottish Ministers may exempt any person from compliance with any provision in these Regulations relating to the payment of fees, subject to any conditions the Scottish Ministers think appropriate.

Revocations

8. The Seeds (Fees) (Scotland) Regulations 2007(8) and regulation 24 of the Beet Seed (Scotland) (No. 2) Regulations 2010 are revoked.

Regulation 4(2)(a)

SCHEDULE 1FEES FOR MATTERS RELATING TO THE SEED MARKETING REGULATIONS

Regulation 5(2)(a)

SCHEDULE 2FEES FOR MATTERS RELATING TO THE 2006 REGULATIONS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations prescribe fees for matters relating to-

• the Vegetable Seeds Regulations 1993, the Oil And Fibre Plant Seed (Scotland) Regulations 2004, the Cereal Seed (Scotland) Regulations 2005, the Fodder Plant Seed (Scotland) Regulations 2005 and the Beet Seed (Scotland) (No. 2) Regulations 2010 (regulation 4 and Schedule 1); and

• the Seed (Registration, Licensing and Enforcement) (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (regulation 5 and Schedule 2).

Regulation 6 provides for the reduction and repayment of fees or for payment of additional fees in respect of matters specified in paragraph A or, as the case may be, paragraph B of Schedule 1, in certain circumstances.

Regulation 7 makes provision for the Scottish Ministers to exempt any person from compliance with any provision in these Regulations relating to payment of fees.

Regulation 8 revokes the Seeds (Fees) (Scotland) Regulations 2007 and regulation 24 of the Beet Seed (Scotland) (No. 2) Regulations 2010 which amended those Regulations.

In addition to the new fees which apply to the circumstances specified in regulation 6(2) and (3), the fees in Schedules 1 and 2 are changed as follows:

A Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment has been prepared and placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. A copy of it can be obtained from the Scottish Government Rural and Environment Directorate, Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh, EH11 3XD.