SCOTTISH SEED POTATO CLASSIFICATION SCHEME - SASA

3 SEALING OF CONTAINERSAll seed potatoes (except for small retail quantities) must be sold in containers whichare closed by a "sealing device" and to which are attached official labels givingcertain required information including the crop identification number, variety, class,grade, size, net weight with the month and year of closing. A "sealing device" is adevice applied in such a way that, when the container is opened, the device will bebroken and so indicates to the buyer that the crop identity has been lost (seesection 16).The label and the "sealing device" may be the same thing when a label isincorporated into the machine stitching used to close the mouth of a bag. Whenmachine stitching is not used, labels must be associated with an official plastic strapseal or self-locking metal seal supplied with the labels requested.Where boxes are used for marketing seed potatoes, each box must be individuallylabelled and sealed. Every box must have a cover, for example hessian or smallmesh netting, which must be tied to the box with a single unbroken length of twine.This must then be sealed with a tie-hole label and metal seal in such a way that theseal must be broken or the twine cut to remove the cover.If other containers are to be used, the Inspector will have to be satisfied that themethod of closure used will comply with the labelling and sealing provisions in theRegulations. Those wishing to use such containers should discuss their proposedclosure methods with an Inspector before ordering labels.4 BAGS AND CONTAINERSBags used for the marketing of seed must be new. Packages or containers (otherthan bags) approved by an Inspector, including any chitting trays, boxes or crates,must also be new or must have been cleaned and disinfected to the satisfaction of anInspector if they have been used previously for any purpose.5 BULK LOADSIf a grower is proposing to transport in “Bulk loads”, the prior approval of the AreaOffice must be obtained. Approval will only be given if the Inspector is satisfied withthe arrangements for the dressing, loading, inspection and sealing of the stockconcerned. The end user of the seed will also have to provide written confirmationthat delivery in bulk is acceptable. However, if the seller’s commercialdocumentation clearly states that delivery will be made in bulk then it will not benecessary for an end user letter to be submitted, provided that the Area Office hasreceived confirmation from the seller, in writing, that such commercial documentationis used in all cases. ‘Commercial documentation’ refers to contracts of sale, pre-salecontracts and any other written confirmation, made available to the end user prior todelivery.Any seller who wishes to use his commercial documentation in place of an end user’sletter must apply, in writing, to one of the Area Offices for formal approval beforesubmitting a request for labels. When a seller is provided with this type of approval,all Area Offices will be informed so that labels may be issued. There will be nofurther requirement for either a copy of the documentation or an end user letter forany future applications for labels for seed lots moving in bulk. Spot checks will becarried out on applications made under these arrangements.4