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Uimhir 14 de 1936.
ACHT SÍOLTA TALMHAÍOCHTA, 1936.
Mínithe.
1.—San Acht so—
cialluíonn an abairt “an tAire” an tAire Talmhaíochta;
cialluíonn an focal “orduithe” orduithe le rialacháin ar n-a ndéanamh ag an Aire fén Acht so;
cialluíonn an focal “cigire” duine ar n-a cheapadh i scríbhinn ag an Aire chun bheith ina chigire chun crícheanna an Achta so;
nuair a húsáidtear an focal “saghas” maidir le síolta talmhaíochta no maidir le plandaí cialluíonn sé saghas ar n-a theorannú tré thagairt do rangú luibheolaíochta, no d'ainm no do chineál, no d'aon airdhe no cáilíocht, no tré aon tsórt ranguithe eile;
foluíonn an focal “glanadh” íodhnú, for-scríobadh, sciotadh agus próiseasaí eile den tsamhail sin.
Síolta talmhaíochta.
2.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire o am go ham, le hordú, na saghsanna síolta d'ordú is síolta talmhaíochta chun crícheanna an Achta so, agus féadfaidh o am go ham, le hordú, aon ordú den tsórt san do leasú no do cheiliúradh.
(2) San Acht so cialluíonn an abairt “síolta talmhaíochta” síolta is síolta talmhaíochta de thurus na huaire, chun crícheanna an Achta so, de bhuadh orduithe ar n-a dhéanamh ag an Aire fén alt so.
Comhacht chun iomportáil shíolta talmhaíochta dthoirmeasc.
3.—(1) Pé uair is ceart san dar leis an Aire féadfaidh, le hordú, a thoirmeasc gach saghas no aon tsaghsanna no saghas áirithe síolta talmhaíochta d'iomportáil isteach i Saorstát Éireann lá áirithe no dá éis (nách luatha ná dáta an orduithe) ach amháin fé réim agus do réir cheadúnais chuige sin ar n-a thabhairt amach ag an Aire fén Acht so.
(2) Pé uair agus faid a bheidh ordú, ar n-a dhéanamh ag an Aire fén bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so, i bhfeidhm ní bheidh sé dleathach (ach amháin i gcás dá bhforáltar a mhalairt leis an Acht so) do dhuine ar bith aon tsíolta talmhaíochta d'iomportáil isteach i Saorstát Éireann contrárdha don ordú san.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire tráth ar bith, le hordú, leasú no ceiliúradh do dhéanamh ar aon ordú bheidh déanta aige roimhe sin fén alt so, ar a n-áirmhítear ordú bheidh déanta fén bhfo-alt so.
(4) Gach duine iomportálfaidh aon tsíolta talmhaíochta contrárdha don alt so beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar caoga púnt do chur air.
(5) Léireofar alt 42 den Customs Consolidation Act, 1876, agus beidh éifeacht aige fé is dá ndeintí síolta talmhaíochta go mbeidh sé toirmeasctha leis an alt so de thurus na huaire iad d'iomportáil do chur le Clár na dToirmeasc agus na Srian maidir le hEarraí do Theacht Isteach atá san alt san.
Ceadúnaisí iomportála síolta.
4.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, más ceart san dar leis, ceadúnas (dá ngairmtear ceadúnas iomportála síolta san Acht so) do thabhairt amach do dhuine ar bith chun iomportáil do dhéanamh, fé réir pé coinníollacha is ceart dar leis an Aire agus a luadhfa sé sa cheadúnas san, ar chaindíocht áirithe de shaghas áirithe síolta talmhaíochta go mbeidh sé toirmeasctha fén Acht so de thurus na huaire iad d'iomportáil.
(2) Déarfaidh agus déanfaidh ceadúnas iomportála síolta a údarú don duine dá dtabharfar amach é na síolta talmhaíochta luadhfar sa cheadúnas san d'iomportáil do réir na dtéarmaí agus na gcoinníollacha luadhfar sa cheadúnas san, ach san fé réir gach diúité custum (más aon diúité é) d'íoc is inéilithe agus is iníoctha ar an iomportáil sin do dhéanamh.
Somplaí trádála d'iomportáil.
5.—Ní bheidh feidhm ag éinní atá san Acht so ná beidh in aon ordú bheidh déanta fén Acht so ná atá sna hAchtanna Tora Talmhaíochta (Arbhar), 1933 go 1935, maidir le sompla de shíolta talmhaíochta d'iomportáil, ná ní oibreoidh chun cosc do chur leis an gcéanna d'iomportáil, tríd an bpost, i gcás gan an sompla san do bheith thar púnt meáchainte agus dearbhú do bheith ag gabháil leis á rá gur mar shompla trádála atáthar á iomportáil agus nách fiú éinní é i gcúrsaí tráchtála.
Srian le gnó glantóireachta síolta talmhaíochta.
6.—(1) Ní bheidh gnó glantóireachta síolta talmhaíochta le n-a mbaineann an t-alt so ar siúl chun crícheanna tráchtála ag duine ar bith ach amháin fé cheadúnas agus do réir cheadúnais chuige sin a bheidh tugtha amach do fén Acht so.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire, pé uair is oiriúnach leis é, a dhearbhú le hordú go mbainfidh an t-alt so le haon tsaghas no saghsanna áirithe síolta talmhaíochta, agus féadfaidh tráth ar bith, le hordú, aon ordú den tsórt san do leasú no do cheiliúradh.
(3) Bainfidh an t-alt so le gach saghas (más aon tsaghas é) síolta talmhaíochta bheidh dearbhuithe de thurus na huaire le hordú bheidh déanta fén bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so do bheith ina shaghas síolta talmhaíochta le n-a mbaineann an t-alt so, agus déanfar tagairtí san alt so agus sa chéad alt ina dhiaidh seo do shíolta talmhaíochta le n-a mbaineann an t-alt so do léiriú dá réir sin.
(4) Gách duine ag á mbeidh aon ghnó ar siúl contrárdha don alt so beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar caoga púnt do chur air agus fíneáil bhreise ná raghaidh thar fiche púnt in aghaidh gach lae leanfar den chionta san.
(5) Ní tuigfear gur gnó glantóireachta síolta talmhaíochta do réir bhrí an Achta so na nithe seo leanas do dhéanamh, sé sin le rá:—
(a) únaer muilinn bhuailte do ghlanadh síolta do fuarthas tré bhualadh sa mhuileann san más le linn an bhuailte sin no díreach ina dhiaidh a déanfar an glanadh san, no
(b) feirmeoir do ghlanadh síolta ina áitreabh féin, is síolta d'fhás sé ar thalamh ina sheilbh féin, no
(c) feirmeoir do ghlanadh síolta ina áitreabh féin, is síolta bheidh sé ar aigne bona fide do chur ar thalamh ina sheilbh féin.
Ceadúnaisí glantóireachta síl.
7.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, más ceart san dar leis agus tar éis do dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Tionnscail agus Tráchtála, ceadúnas (dá ngairmtear ceadúnas glantóireachta síl san Acht so) do thabhairt amach do dhuine ar bith chun gnó glantóireachta síolta talmhaíochta le n-a mbaineann an t-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo no gnó glantóireachta aon tsaghas no saghais áirithe de sna síolta talmhaíochta san do bheith ar siúl aige in áitreabh áirithe chun crícheanna tráchtála, agus féadfaidh an tAire pé coinníollacha is ceart dar leis agus a luadhfa sé sa cheadúnas san do chur ag gabháil le haon cheadúnas den tsórt san.
(2) Déarfaidh agus déanfaidh ceadúnas glantóireachta síl a údarú don duine dá dtabharfar amach é gnó glantóireachta síolta talmhaíochta le n-a mbaineann an ceadúnas san do bheith ar siúl aige, chun crícheanna tráchtála, san áitreabh a luadhfar sa cheadúnas san agus fé théarmaí agus do réir théarmaí an cheadúnais sin.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire, tráth ar bith, ceadúnas glantóireachta síl do cheiliúradh, ach sara ndeinidh aon cheadúnas den tsórt san do cheiliúradh amhlaidh déanfaidh an tAire fógra seacht lá ar a laighead i scríbhinn do thabhairt do shealbhóir an cheadúnais sin á rá go bhfuil sé ar intinn an ceadúnas san do cheiliúradh amhlaidh agus breithneoidh sé aon chúiseanna phléidhfidh an sealbhóir sin leis laistigh den tseacht lá san.
(4) Féadfar fógra do réir an fho-ailt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so do sheirbheáil tré n-a sheachadadh do shealbhóir an cheadúnais sin no tré n-a chur tríd an bpost chun an tsealbhóra san in áit ar bith ina mbíonn gnó ar siúl aige fén gceadúnas san.
Toirmeasc ar shíolta ina mbeidh síolta fiadhaile díobhálaighe do dhíol, etc.
8.—(1) Ní bheidh sé dleathach do dhuine ar bith aon tsíolta talmhaíochta do dhíol ná do thairisgint ná do thaisbeáint chun a ndíolta ina mbeidh níos mó ná an percentáiste orduithe de shíolta aon fhiadhaile díobhálaighe orduithe.
(2) Gach duine dhéanfaidh aon tsíolta talmhaíochta do dhíol no do thairsgint no do thaisbeáint chun a ndíolta contrárdha don alt so beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar cúig púint fhichead do chur air.
Forálacha i dtaobh síolta a díolfar ina mion-choda i bpacáistí.
9.—(1) Ní bheidh sé dleathach do dhuine ar bith aon tsíolta talmhaíochta do dhíol ná do thairisgint ná do thaisbeáint chun a ndíolta ina mion-choda i gclúdach, i gcartán, i mbosca, ná i gcoimeadán eile bheidh dúnta le séala, bioth, gliú, no ar shlí eile den tsamhail sin ná i mála (ná beidh níos mó ná seacht bpúint meáchainte de shíolta ann) go mbeidh a bhéal dúnta tré bheith fuaighte, ceangailte, no séaluithe, maran rud é go mbeidh marcálta go soiléir ar an gcoimeadán no ar an mála san (pe'ca aca é), comhgarach don ráiteas a bheidh air ag tabhairt ainme agus tuairisce na síolta bheidh istigh ann, ráiteas á rá cadé an bhliain do pacáladh an coimeadán no an mála san agus fós go mbeidh marcálta go soiléir ar an gcoimeadán no ar an mála san na mion-innste orduithe i dtaobh na nithe seo leanas no i dtaobh pé cinn acu bheidh orduithe, sé sin le rá, an chuideachta, an cumann, an duine, no an trádálaí eile do phacáil an coimeadán san, agus an áit inar pacáladh é, agus an cineál agus an sórt síolta tá ann.
(2) Beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas mar mhaolú ar fhorálacha an fho-ailt sin roimhe seo den alt so, sé sin le rá:—
(a) má bhíonn an bhliain ina ndearnadh aon mhála den tsórt san a luaidhtear sa bhfo-alt san do phacáil luaidhte go soiléir ar shéala ag dúnadh béil an mhála san, ansan, an ráiteas is gá do réir an fho-ailt sin do bheith ar an mála san i dtaobh na bliana inar pacáladh an mála san féadfa sé bheith i bhfuirm ráitis sa chéill gur pacáladh an mála san an bhliain a bheidh luaidhte ar an séala san;
(b) féadfar mion-innste deifriúla agus nithe deifriúla d'ordú chun crícheanna an fho-ailt sin alos saghsanna deifriúla (ar n-a míniú tré thagairt do pé nithe (ar a n-áirmhítear an praghas mion-díola) is ceart dar leis an Aire) coimeadán no málaí.
(3) Ní bheidh feidhm ag an gcéad fho-alt den alt so maidir le síolta talmhaíochta do dhíol ina mion-choda má dheineann an díoltóir, am an díola san agus chun críche na díola san, na síolta san do thógaint as mór-sholáthar a bheidh ina sheilbh agus iad do phacáil i gcoimeadán no i mála den tsórt san a luaidhtear sa bhfo-alt san.
(4) Gach duine dhíolfaidh aon tsíolta talmhaíochta contrárdha don alt so beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar deich bpúint do chur air, másé an chéad chionta den tsórt san aige é agus, másé an dara cionta no aon chionta ina dhiaidh sin den tsórt san aige é, fíneáil ná raghaidh thar cúig púint fhichead.
Billíní alos síolta talmhaíochta.
10.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, pé uair is ceart san dar leis, a cheangal, le hordú, go mbeidh i ngach billín agus i ngach scríbhinn eile den tsórt san maidir le haon tsaghsanna no saghas áirithe (ar n-a míniú i pé slí is ceart dar leis an Aire) síolta talmhaíochta pé mion-innste luadhfar san ordú san maidir le hainm no cineál na síolta talmhaíochta le n-a mbainfidh an billín no an scríbhinn eile sin.
(2) Pé uair agus faid a bheidh ordú ar n-a dhéanamh ag an Aire fén alt so i bhfeidhm beidh gach duine bhéarfaidh no chuirfidh amach, maidir le haon tsíolta talmhaíochta le n-a mbainfidh an t-ordú san, aon bhillín no scríbhinn eile den tsórt san agus gan na mion-innste go léir ann maidir leis na síolta san a héilítear leis an ordú san do bheith sa mbillín no sa scríbhinn eile sin, beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar fiche púnt do chur air.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire tráth ar bith, le hordú, leasú no ceiliúradh do dhéanamh ar aon ordú bheidh déanta aige roimhe sin fén alt so, ar a n-áirmhítear ordú bheidh déanta fén bhfo-alt so.
Srian le plandaí do leanúint d'fhás i gcásanna áirithe.
11.—(1) Pé uair is dóich leis an Aire gur deallrathach, dá leigtí d'aon tsaghas áirithe plandaí leanúint d'fhás in aon líomatáiste áirithe go dtí go mbeidís i staid a ngnáth-bhláthachta, go gcuirfeadh san isteach ar ghlan-chineálacha síolta talmhaíochta do tháirgeadh sa líomatáiste sin féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, a thoirmeasc go leigfí don chineál áirithe sin plandaí leanúint d'fhás sa líomatáiste sin go dtí go mbeidís i staid a ngnáth-bhláthachta.
(2) Pé uair agus faid a bheidh ordú ar n-a dhéanamh ag an Aire fén bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so i bhfeidhm ní bheidh sé dleathach do dhuine ar bith a leigint d'aon phlanda den tsaghas le n-a mbaineann an t-ordú san leanúint d'fhás sa líomatáiste le n-a mbaineann an t-ordú san go dtí go mbeidh sé i staid a ghnáthbhláthachta.
(3) Gach duine leigfidh do phlanda leanúint d'fhás contrárdha don alt so beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar cúig púint fhichead do chur air, másé an chéad chionta den tsórt san aige é agus, másé an dara cionta no aon chionta ina dhiaidh sin den tsórt san aige é, fíneáil ná raghaidh thar caoga púnt agus fós, i gcás ar bith, na plandaí uile do gheallbhruideadh gur mar gheall ortha do rinneadh an cionta san.
(4) Féadfaidh an tAire tráth ar bith le hordú, leasú no ceiliúradh do dhéanamh ar aon ordú bheidh déanta aige roimhe sin fén alt so, ar a n-áirmhítear ordú bheidh déanta fén bhfo-alt so.
Fás plandaí do rialáil i gcásanna áirithe.
12.—(1) Pé uair is dóich leis an Aire gur deallrathach, dá bhfástaí aon tsaghas áirithe plandaí in aon líomatáiste áirithe, go gcuirfeadh san isteach ar ghlan-chineálacha de shíolta talmhaíochta d'aon tsaghas áirithe do tháirgeadh sa líomatáiste sin féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, a thoirmeasc aon phlandaí den tsaghas san d'fhás sa líomatáiste sin.
(2) Pé uair agus faid a bheidh ordú ar n-a dhéanamh ag an Aire fén bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so i bhfeidhm, beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas sa líomatáiste le n-a mbainfidh an t-ordú san, sé sin le rá:—
(a) ní bheidh sé dleathach do dhuine ar bith aon phlandaí d'fhás sa líomatáiste sin, a toirmeasctar leis an ordú san d'fhás sa líomatáiste sin, ná leigint d'aon phlandaí den tsórt san fás ar aon talamh a bheidh i seilbh an duine sin sa líomatáiste sin;
(b) gach duine fhásfaidh aon phlandaí contrárdha don fho-alt so no leigfidh, contrárdha don fho-alt so, d'aon phlandaí fás beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén bhfo-alt so, agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar cúig púint fhichead do chur air, másé an chéad chionta den tsórt san aige é agus, másé an dara cionta no aon chionta ina dhiaidh sin den tsórt san aige é, fíneáil ná raghaidh thar caoga púnt;
(c) féadfaidh oifigeach don Aire, tráth ar bith, dul isteach ar aon talamh sa líomatáiste sin ar a mbeidh plandaí d'aon tsórt ag fás agus iniúchadh do dhéanamh san áit sin ar na plandaí uile bheidh ag fás ar an talamh san;
(d) pé uair a bheidh aon phlandaí, go dtoirmeasctar leis an ordú san iad d'fhás sa líomatáiste sin, ag fás ar aon talamh sa líomatáiste sin déanfaidh an duine bheidh i seilbh an tailimh sin, ar n-a iarraidh sin air i scríbhinn d'oifigeach don Aire, gach planda den tsórt san do stathadh agus do dhíthiú laistigh de pé am a bheidh luaidhte chuige sin ag an oifigeach san san iarratas san;
(e) má thárlann do dhuine ar bith, ar a gceangaltar leis an mír dheiridh sin roimhe seo den fho-alt so aon phlandaí do stathadh agus do dhíthiú, go dteipfidh air san do dhéanamh laistigh den am a luaidhtear sa mhír sin, beidh sé dleathach d'oifigeach don Aire, agus pé congantóirí agus feithiclí is dóich leis an oifigeach san is gá ina theanta, dul isteach ar an talamh ar a mbeidh na plandaí sin ag fás agus gach planda den tsórt san do stathadh agus do dhíthiú san áit sin no do thógaint chun siúil as, agus beidh sé dleathach don Aire an tsuim a dheimhneoidh an tAire is méid na gcostaisí agus na gcaiteachaisí fé n-a ndeachthas maidir leis an dul isteach, leis an stathadh, agus leis an díthiú no an tógaint chun siúil sin do bhaint den duine sin mar fhiacha síbhialta in aon Chúirt dlighinse inniúla.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire tráth ar bith, le hordú, leasú no ceiliúradh do dhéanamh ar aon ordú bheidh déanta aige roimhe sin fén alt so, ar a n-áirmhítear ordú bheidh déanta fén bhfo-alt so.
Comhachta chun iniúchadh do dhéanamh agus somplaí do thógaint.
13.—(1) Féadfaidh cigire ar bith, gach tráth réasúnta, dul isteach in aon tsiopa, stór, no áitreabh eile (ar a n-áirmhítear both, stalla, cart, barra, no áit no feithicil eile ar mhargadh no ar aonach) ina mbeidh síolta talmhaíochta á ndíol no á dtairisgint no á dtaisbeáint no á gcoimeád chun a ndíolta, agus féadfaidh, san áit sin, síolta talmhaíochta do chuardach agus scrúdú do dhéanamh ar na síolta talmhaíochta uile no ar aon tsíolta talmhaíochta do gheobhaidh an cigire sin san áitreabh san agus somplaí dhíobh do thógaint agus féadfaidh, i gcás aon tsíolta talmhaíochta den tsórt san a bheidh á ndíol no á dtairisgint no á dtaisbeáint no á gcoimeád amhlaidh chun a ndíolta i bpacáistí bheidh dúnta le séala, bioth, gliú, no ar shlí eile den tsórt san no i málaí ná beidh níos mó ná meáchaint seacht bpúnt síl ionta agus go mbeidh a mbéil dúnta tré bheith fuaighte no ceangailte no séalaithe, aon tsompla den tsórt san do thógaint tré cheann amháin no níos mó de sna pacáistí no de sna málaí sin do thógaint gan iad d'oscailt.
(2) Pé uair a bheartóidh cigire sompla de shíolta talmhaíochta do thógaint fén alt so in aon áitreabh déanfaidh, má iarrann an duine bheidh i gcúram an áitreibh sin san air, a údarás mar an gcigire sin do thasbeáint roimh an sompla san do thógaint.
(3) Féadfaidh cigire raghaidh isteach in aon áitreabh fén alt so ainm agus seoladh an duine o n-a bhfuarthas aon tsíolta talmhaíochta do gheobhaidh an cigire sin san áitreabh san d'éileamh ar an duine bheidh i gcúram an áitreibh sin agus, ar an éileamh san do dhéanamh amhlaidh, beidh sé de dhualgas ar an duine sin a bheidh i gcúram amhlaidh an ainm agus an seoladh a héileofar amhlaidh do thabhairt i scríbhinn don chigire sin.
(4) Féadfaidh an tAire a chur fé ndeár aon tsompla de shíolta talmhaíochta thógfaidh cigire fén alt so do thástáil maidir le glaine, péacadh, saoirse o ghalar agus le nithe eile, agus féadfaidh a chur fé ndeár go bhfoillseofar, i pé slí is oiriúnach leis, toradh na tástála san, agus ainmneacha agus seolta an duine gur ina áitreabh a tógadh an sompla san amhlaidh, agus an duine gur uaidh adubhairt an duine bhí i gcúram an áitreibh sin do fuarthas na síolta talmhaíochta do bhí sa tsompla san, no ainm agus seoladh duine amháin de sna daoine sin.
(5) Gach duine—
(a) a bhacfaidh no choiscfidh cigire agus é ag feidhmiú aon chomhachta dá mbronntar leis an alt so, no
(b) ar a dteipfidh no dhiúltóidh aon ainm no seoladh is eol do no go mbeidh fáil aige air agus éileoidh cigire air go dleathach fén alt so do thabhairt i scríbhinn don chigire sin, no, ar an éileamh san do dhéanamh air, a bhéarfaidh uaidh amhlaidh ainm no seoladh bheidh, go bhfios do, bréagach no mí-threorach in aon phone táchtach,
beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfear fíneáil ná raghaidh thar deich bpúint do chur air.
Rialacháin.
14.—Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, rialacháin do dhéanamh chun éinní no aon ruda d'ordú dá dtagartar san Acht so mar ní no mar rud atá orduithe no le hordú.
Costaisí.
15.—Sa mhéid go gceadóidh an tAire Airgid é is amach as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas a híocfar gach costas fé n-a raghaidh an tAire chun an Achta so do chur i bhfeidhm.
Athghairm.
16.—Deintear leis seo ailt 5 agus 6 den Weeds and Agricultural Seeds (Ireland) Act, 1909, agus iomlán an Seeds Act, 1920, d'athghairm.
Gearr-theideal.
17.—Féadfar an tAcht Síolta Talmhaíochta, 1936, do ghairm den Acht so.
Number 14 of 1936.
AGRICULTURAL SEEDS ACT, 1936.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section | |
Prohibition of sale, etc., of seeds containing injurious weed seeds. | |
Restrictions on the continuance of growth of plants in certain cases. | |
Number 14 of 1936.
AGRICULTURAL SEEDS ACT, 1936.
Definitions.
1.—In this Act—
the expression “the Minister” means the Minister for Agriculture;
the word “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Minister under this Act;
the word “inspector” means a person appointed in writing by the Minister to be an inspector for the purposes of this Act;
the word “class” when used in relation to agricultural seeds or in relation to plants means a class delimited by reference to botanical classification, or to name or variety, or to any characteristic or quality, or by any other mode of classification;
the word “cleaning” includes purifying, scarifying, clipping, and other similar processes.
Agricultural seeds.
2.—(1) The Minister may from time to time by order prescribe the classes of seeds which shall be agricultural seeds for the purposes of this Act, and may from time to time by order amend or revoke any such order.
(2) In this Act the expression “agricultural seeds” means seeds which are, by virtue of an order made by the Minister under this section, for the time being agricultural seeds for the purposes of this Act.
Power to prohibit importation of agricultural seeds.
3.—(1) The Minister may, whenever he so thinks proper, by order prohibit the importation into Saorstát Eireann on or after a specified date (not being earlier than the date of the order) of all or any particular classes or class of agricultural seeds save under and in accordance with a licence in that behalf issued by the Minister under this Act.
(2) Whenever and so long as an order made by the Minister under the foregoing sub-section of this section is in force it shall not be lawful (save as is otherwise provided by this Act) for any person to import into Saorstát Eireann any agricultural seeds in contravention of such order.
(3) The Minister may at any time by order amend or revoke any order previously made by him under this section, including an order made under this sub-section.
(4) Every person who imports any agricultural seeds in contravention of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.
(5) Section 42 of the Customs Consolidation Act, 1876, shall be construed and have effect as if agricultural seeds the importation of which is for the time being prohibited by this section were added to the Table of Prohibitions and Restrictions Inwards in that section.
Seeds importation licences.
4.—(1) The Minister may, if he so thinks proper, issue to any person a licence (in this Act referred to as a seeds importation licence) to import, subject to such conditions as the Minister shall think proper and shall specify in such licence, a specified quantity of a specified class of agricultural seeds the importation of which is for the time being prohibited by this Act.
(2) A seeds importation licence shall be expressed and shall operate to authorise the person to whom it is issued to import, in accordance with the terms and conditions stated in such licence, the agricultural seeds specified in such licence, but subject to the payment of every (if any) duty of customs chargeable and payable on such importation.
Importation of trade samples.
5.—Nothing contained in this Act or any order made under this Act or in the Agricultural Produce (Cereals) Acts, 1933 to 1935, shall apply to or operate to prevent the importation by post of a sample of agricultural seeds where such sample does not exceed one pound in weight, and is accompanied by a declaration that it is imported solely as a trade sample and is of no commercial value.
Restriction on business of cleaning agricultural seeds.
6.—(1) No person shall carry on, otherwise than under and in accordance with a licence in that behalf issued to him under this Act, the business of cleaning for commercial purposes agricultural seeds to which this section applies.
(2) The Minister may, whenever he so thinks fit, by order declare that this section shall apply to any particular class or classes of agricultural seeds, and may at any time by order amend or revoke any such order.
(3) This section shall apply to every (if any) class of agricultural seeds which is for the time being declared by an order made under the next preceding sub-section of this section to be a class of agricultural seeds to which this section applies, and references in this section and the next following section to agricultural seeds to which this section applies shall be construed accordingly.
(4) Every person who carries on any business in contravention of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds together with a further fine not exceeding twenty pounds for every day during which such offence is continued.
(5) The following transactions shall not be deemed to be the carrying on of the business of cleaning agricultural seeds within the meaning of this Act, that is to say:—
(a) the cleaning, by the owner of a threshing mill, of seeds obtained by threshing in such mill where such cleaning is done at the time of or immediately after such threshing, or
(b) the cleaning, by a farmer on his own premises, of seeds produced by him on land in his own occupation, or
(c) the cleaning by a farmer on his own premises of seeds bona-fide intended to be sown by him on land in his own occupation.
Seed cleaning licences.
7.—(1) The Minister may, if he so thinks proper, after consultation with the Minister for Industry and Commerce, issue to any person a licence (in this Act referred to as a seed cleaning licence) to carry on in specified premises the business of cleaning agricultural seeds to which the next preceding section applies or any particular classes or class of such agricultural seeds, for commercial purposes, and the Minister may attach to any such licence such conditions as he shall think proper and shall specify in such licence.
(2) A seed cleaning licence shall be expressed and shall operate to authorise the person to whom it is issued to carry on, in the premises specified in such licence and under and in accordance with the terms of such licence, the business of cleaning for commercial purposes agricultural seeds to which such licence relates.
(3) The Minister may at any time revoke a seed cleaning licence, but before so revoking any such licence, the Minister shall give not less than seven days' notice in writing of his intention so to revoke such licence to the holder thereof and shall consider any representations made to him by such holder within such seven days.
(4) A notice in pursuance of the next preceding sub-section of this section may be served by delivering it to the holder of such licence or by sending it by post to such holder at any place at which he carries on business under such licence.
Prohibition of sale, etc., of seeds containing injurious weed seeds.
8.—(1) It shall not be lawful for any person to sell or offer or expose for sale any agricultural seeds which contain more than the prescribed percentage of the seeds of any prescribed injurious weeds.
(2) Every person who shall sell or offer or expose for sale any agricultural seeds in contravention of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding twenty-five pounds.
Provisions in respect of seeds sold retail in packets.
9.—(1) It shall not be lawful for any person to sell or offer or expose for sale any agricultural seeds by retail in an envelope, carton, box, or other container which is closed by seal, gum, glue, or other similar means or in a bag (containing not more than seven pounds weight of seeds) the mouth of which is closed by being sewn, tied, or sealed, unless there is clearly marked on such container or bag (as the case may be), in close proximity to the statement thereon of the name or description of the seeds contained therein, a statement of the year in which such container or bag was packed and there is also clearly marked on such container or bag the prescribed particulars of the following things or such of them as shall be prescribed, that is to say, the company, society, individual, or other trader by whom and the place at which such container was packed and the nature and variety of the seeds contained therein.
(2) The following provisions shall have effect by way of qualification of the provisions of the foregoing sub-section of this section, that is to say:—
(a) if the year in which any such bag as is mentioned in the said sub-section was packed is clearly stated on a seal securing the mouth of such bag, the statement required by the said sub-section to be on such bag of the year in which such bag was packed may be in the form of a statement to the effect that such bag was packed in the year stated on such seal;
(b) different particulars and different things may be prescribed for the purposes of the said sub-section in respect of different classes (defined by reference to such matters (including the retail price) as the Minister shall think proper) of containers or of bags.
(3) The first sub-section of this section shall not apply to the sale of agricultural seeds by retail where such seeds are, at the time and for the purpose of such sale, taken from a bulk supply in the possession of the vendor and packed by him in such container or bag as is mentioned in the said sub-section.
(4) Every person who sells any agricultural seeds in contravention of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof, in the case of a first such offence, to a fine not exceeding ten pounds and, in the case of a second or any subsequent such offence, to a fine not exceeding twenty-five pounds.
Invoices in respect of agricultural seeds.
10.—(1) The Minister may, whenever he so thinks proper, by order require that all invoices and other like documents in respect of any specified classes or class (defined in such manner as the Minister shall think proper) of agricultural seeds shall contain such particulars as shall be specified in such order in regard to the name or variety of the agricultural seeds to which such invoice or other document relates.
(2) Whenever and so long as an order made by the Minister under this section is in force, every person who issues or sends, in relation to any agricultural seeds to which such order applies, any invoice or other like document which does not contain all the particulars in regard to such seeds which are required by such order to be contained in such invoice or other document shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds.
(3) The Minister may at any time by order amend or revoke any order previously made by him under this section, including an order made under this sub-section.
Restrictions on the continuance of growth of plants in certain cases.
11.—(1) Whenever the Minister is of opinion that permitting the growth of any particular class of plants in any particular area to continue to the stage of normal inflorescence would be likely to interfere with the production in that area of pure strains of agricultural seeds, the Minister may by order prohibit the growth of that particular class of plants being permitted in such area to continue to the stage of normal inflorescence.
(2) Whenever and so long as an order made by the Minister under the foregoing sub-section of this section is in force, it shall not be lawful for any person to permit, in the area to which such order applies, the growth of any plant of the class to which such order applies to continue to the stage of normal inflorescence.
(3) Every person who shall permit the growth of a plant to continue in contravention of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof, in the case of a first such offence, to a fine not exceeding twenty-five pounds and, in the case of a second or any subsequent such offence, to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds, together with, in any case, forfeiture of all plants in respect of which such offence was committed.
(4) The Minister may at any time by order amend or revoke any order previously made by him under this section, including an order made under this sub-section.
Control of the growing of plants in certain case.
12.—(1) Whenever the Minister is of opinion that the growing in any particular area of any particular class of plants would be likely to interfere with the production in that area of pure strains of agricultural seeds of any particular class, the Minister may by order prohibit the growing in the said area of any plants of the said class.
(2) Whenever and so long as an order made by the Minister under the foregoing sub-section of this section is in force, the following provisions shall have effect in the area to which such order applies, that is to say:—
(a) It shall not be lawful for any person to grow in the said area any plants the growing of which in the said area is prohibited by such order or to permit any such plants to grow on any land in the occupation of such person in the said area;
(b) every person who shall grow any plants in contravention of this sub-section or shall, in contravention of this sub-section, permit any plants to grow shall be guilty of an offence under this sub-section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof, in the case of a first such offence, to a fine not exceeding twenty-five pounds and, in the case of a second or any subsequent such offence, to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds;
(c) an officer of the Minister may at any time enter any land in the said area on which plants of any description are growing and there inspect all plants growing on such land;
(d) whenever any plants, the growing of which in the said area is prohibited by the said order are growing on any land in the said area, the person in occupation of such land shall, on being required in writing by an officer of the Minister so to do, pull up and destroy all such plants within such time as shall be specified in that behalf by such officer in such requisition;
(e) if any person who is required by the next preceding paragraph of this sub-section to pull up and destroy any plants fails so to do within the time mentioned in the said paragraph, it shall be lawful for an officer of the Minister, with such assistants and vehicles as such officer considers necessary, to enter on the land on which such plants are growing and there pull up and destroy or remove all such plants, and it shall be lawful for the Minister to recover from such person as a civil debt in any Court of competent jurisdiction the sum which is certified by the Minister to be the amount of the costs and expenses incurred in such entry, pulling up, and destruction or removal.
(3) The Minister may at any time by order amend or revoke any order previously made by him under this section, including an order made under this sub-section.
Powers of inspection and taking samples.
13.—(1) Any inspector may at all reasonable times enter any shop, store, or other premises (including a booth, stall, cart, barrow, or other place or vehicle in a market or fair) in which agricultural seeds are sold or are offered, exposed, or kept for sale, and may there search for, examine, and take samples of all or any agricultural seeds found by such inspector in such premises, and may, in the case of any such agricultural seeds which are so sold or offered, exposed, or kept for sale in packets closed by seal, gum, glue, or other similar means or in bags, containing not more than seven pounds weight of seeds, the mouths of which are closed by being sewn, tied, or sealed, take any such sample by taking one or more such packets or bags unopened.
(2) Whenever an inspector proposes to take under this section in any premises a sample of agricultural seeds he shall, if so required by the person in charge of such premises, produce his authority as such inspector before taking such sample.
(3) An inspector entering any premises under this section may demand of the person in charge of such premises the name and address of the person from whom any agricultural seeds found by such inspector in such premises were obtained and, on such demand being so made, it shall be the duty of the said person so in charge to furnish to such inspector in writing the name and address so demanded.
(4) The Minister may cause any sample of agricultural seeds taken by an inspector under this section to be tested for purity, germination, freedom from disease, and other matters, and may cause to be published, in such manner as he thinks fit, the result of such test and the names and addresses of both the person in whose premises such sample was so taken and the person from whom the agricultural seeds comprised in such sample were stated by the person in charge of such premises to have been obtained, or the name and address of one of those persons only.
(5) Every person who shall—
(a) obstruct or impede an inspector in the exercise of any of the powers conferred by this section, or
(b) fail or refuse to furnish in writing to an inspector any name or address within his knowledge or procurement which is lawfully demanded of him by such inspector under this section, or so furnish on such demand a name or an address which is to his knowledge false or misleading in any material respect.
shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding ten pounds.
Regulations.
14.—The Minister may by order make regulations for the purpose of prescribing any matter or thing which is referred to in this Act as prescribed or to be prescribed.
Expenses.
15.—All expenses incurred by the Minister in carrying this Act into execution shall, to such extent as shall be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
Repeals.
16.—Sections 5 and 6 of the Weeds and Agricultural Seeds (Ireland) Act, 1909, and the whole of the Seeds Act, 1920, are hereby repealed.
Short title.
17.—This Act may be cited as the Agricultural Seeds Act, 1936.