The Scottish Government

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To organisations on the attached list

15 October 2007

Dear Sir/Madam

Seed Potatoes Fees Regulations - Amendments Required

I am writing to advise you about changes we propose to make to the Seed Potatoes (Fees) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 and the Seed Potatoes (Fees) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2006. These changes are limited to an increase in the fees for Nuclear Stock services together with the introduction of fees for crop and tuber inspections for Unlisted Varieties of seed potatoes for Test and Trial purposes and a fee to cover staff costs when visits for tuber inspections are cancelled at or on route to the place of inspection at short notice.

We propose no other amendments and the other seed potato fees will remain the same as those detailed in the Schedule to the Seed Potatoes (Fees) (Scotland) Regulations 2005.

The changes we propose are as follows:-

Nuclear Stock

Service 2006 2007

a) Initiation of new nuclear stock £159 £169

(6 microplants)

b) Provision of in vitro maintained

nuclear stock £46 £48

(6 microplants)

c) In vitro maintenance of nuclear stock £65 £69

(annual fee per variety)

These fees were last increased in 2006. At present the cost of services a) and c) are not fully recovered and the increases being proposed are to ensure that the current gap in cost recovery for these services does not widen further. The increases are, therefore, above the rate of inflation.

Unlisted Varieties for Test and Trial purposes

The fees for the new category of Unlisted Varieties of seed potatoes for Test and Trial purposes are proposed to be at the same level as that which currently apply to Approved Stock. The cost of crop inspections is being set at £25 per half hour or part thereof and the cost of official examination of such tubers, in respect of crops for which an application has been made, at £25 per half hour or part thereof which shall include the provision of official labels and seals. Your views are sought on this proposal.

Fees for Aborted Tuber Inspections

We would also welcome your comments on a proposal that has been made to introduce a fee to cover the costs incurred when tuber inspections are cancelled with inadequate reason at very short notice. The circumstances envisaged here are where an inspector is on the way to or has arrived at a premise and is unable to gain access to carry out the inspection. The rate proposed for this is £25 per half hour or part thereof.

We would welcome your views on all the changes we are proposing to make to the Seed Potatoes (Fees) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 and the Seed Potato (Fees) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2006 by close on 19 November 2007. Further information is contained in the attached Partial Regulatory Impact Assessment.

Yours faithfully

Mrs Caroline Boyd

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