Fees for seed testing, seed certification and associated seed functions: consultation

Licensed Professional Operators (Seed Merchants, Seed Processors and or Seed Packers)

Once a company or individual licenced with the Certifying Authority as a seed merchant, seed processor and / or seed packer, Scottish Government must ensure that the seed sold, processed or packaged by them:

• 'is what it says it is, on the label' – certified seed of a registered variety, that meets standards listed in Schedule 4 of each of the Scottish marketing regulations;
• is correctly packaged, labelled and sealed and;
• has the appropriate documentation that forms an audit trial.

RPID staff must routinely visit registered premises where seed is being stored in a warehouse or being processed/packaged, to ensure compliance with the licencing and marketing regulations. Where the individual / company acts solely as a seed merchant, buying and selling, but is never in physical possession of the seed, only a check of records is required to satisfy the licencing conditions.

The Scottish register of Licensed Professional Operators can be found at: http://www.sasa.gov.uk/document-library/public-register-seeds-merchants-processors-packers