The regulations for Leeks of the varieties (cultivars) of Allium porrum L., are as follows:
Quality standards
| (1) |
Subject to the regulations for Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lowest Class Leeks in subregulation 3 and the permissible deviations in subregulation 5, leeks shall ; |
| (a) |
be intact: Provided that the roots and ends of the leaves may be cut; |
| (c) |
be clean and free from foreign matter, including soil; |
| (d) |
be free from Arthropoda infestation; |
| (e) |
be free from insect damage or damage caused by other organisms; |
| (f) |
be free from blemishes; |
| (g) |
be free from injuries; |
| (h) |
be free from bruises; |
| (i) |
be free from abnormal external moisture; |
| (j) |
be free from foreign odours; |
| (k) |
not be running to seed; |
| (I) |
be free from cold damage; |
| (m) |
be free from sun-scorch; |
| (n) |
be free from any other factors that affect or may affect the quality of the leeks detrimentally; |
| (o) |
be fresh and show no sign of withering; |
| (p) |
be sound and attractive in appearance and have normal characteristics of the cultivar; and |
| (q) |
be developed and of such condition as to enable them to withstand transport and handling. |
| (r) |
In the case of miniature leeks, free from filament and woodiness; |
| (2) |
The leaves of the leeks shall, if cut, be cut off neatly and the roots, if cut, shall be cut off without damaging the base of the leek. |
| (a) |
Leeks classified as Class 1 leeks shall be white to greenish white for at least one third of the total length or half of the sheathed part. |
| (b) |
Leeks classified as Class 2 and Class 3 Leeks ; |
| (i) |
shall be white to greenish white for at least a quarter of the total length or one third of the sheathed part; |
| (ii) |
may have a tender flowering stem, provided that it is enclosed within the sheathed part; and |
| (iii) |
may have slight bruising damage caused by thrips and slight traces of rust on the leaves only. |
| (c) |
In the case of Lowest Class leeks - unspecified. |
Packing and sorting requirements
| (a) |
The minimum diameter for all Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 leeks measured above the swelling of the neck, is 8 mm for early leeks and 10 mm for other leeks. |
| (b) |
The diameter of the largest Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 leeks in the same packaging shall not be more than twice the diameter of the smallest leek. |
| (c) |
In the case of miniature leeks— |
| (i) |
the minimum diameter is 8 mm; and |
| (ii) |
the maximum diameter is 22 mm. |
Permissible deviations with regard to quality standards
| (a) |
Class 1 leeks may deviate from the quality standards for Class 1 with 5% by mass: Provided that the deviating leeks ; |
| (i) |
at least comply with the quality standards for Class 2; and |
| (ii) |
do not exceed the following individual limits: |
| - |
Arthropoda infestation: Limit as set out in regulation 4(4)(c): Part 1. |
| (b) |
Class 2 and Class 3 leeks may deviate from the quality standards for Class 2 and Class 3 with 15% and 25% respectively by mass: Provided that the deviating Leeks— |
| (i) |
do not exceed the following individual limits: |
| - |
decay: 4% and 6% respectively; |
| - |
injuries: 8% and 10% respectively; |
| - |
Arthropoda infestation: Limit as set out in regulation 4(4)(c): Part 1. |
| (c) |
In the case of Lowest Class- decay shall not exceed 20% by mass or number. |
Permissible deviations with regard to packing and sorting requirements
| (6) |
Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 leeks, may deviate from the packing and sorting requirements, set out in subregulation 4, with 10%, 15% and 25% respectively by number. |
Marking requirements
| (7) |
Subject to the provisions of regulation 10(1): Part I, each container in which Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lowest Class leeks are packed shall be marked with— |
| (a) |
the number of bundles if leeks are packed in bundles; |
| (b) |
the expression "early leeks", where appropriate; and |
| (c) |
the expression "mini leeks" or "baby leeks" or other appropriate term for miniature produce, where appropriate: Provided that where several types of miniature produce are mixed in the same packages, all products shall be mentioned. |
Older Persons Act, 2006
