Seed Marketing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.I. No. 244 of 2016).

These Regulations, which extend to Northern Ireland only, prescribe requirements for the marketing of seed (including imported seed) for agricultural and horticultural within the EU. They implement Community legislation in this field. Seed (10 categories including breeder's seed) must comply with the requirements set out for certification, packaging, sealing and labelling (there are two types of label for seed, official labels and supplier’s labels). A licence is required to carry out certain operations such as marketing seed. The Regulations also concern record-keeping requirements and requires the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to license crop inspectors, seed samplers and seed testing stations to carry out functions under these Regulations. If a variety has been genetically modified, this must be stated on the label. The Department may only grant an authorisation in respect of seed of a genetically modified variety under paragraphs 9 to 12 if the marketing and release of the genetically modified material by the applicant have been authorised for cultivation under either— (a) Directive 2001/18/EC(a) of the European Parliament and of the Council (on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms); or (b) Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003(b) (on genetically modified food and feed).