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GENERAL
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE OF SAKATA VEGETABLES EUROPE
S.A.S.
Application of terms and conditions: These terms and conditions of sale (“Terms”) cancel and replace all
previous sales conditions of Sakata Vegetables Europe S.A.S. (“Sakata”)
including terms and conditions published prior to 1st April
2010.
These
Terms shall exclusively apply to any sale of Sakata, to the exclusion of all
other terms and conditions (including any terms or conditions which purchaser
purports to apply under any purchase order, confirmation of order or similar
documents) unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing.
The
FIS/RUSPO conditions for seed sales are applicable insofar as they are not
conflicting with these Terms.
Nothing in these Terms shall be construed so as to require the
violation of any law, and wherever there is any conflict between any provision
of these Terms and any law, the law shall prevail, but in such event the
affected provision of these Terms shall be affected only to the extent necessary
to bring it within the applicable law.
In
addition, should a stipulation be declared null and void by a court or any other
competent jurisdiction, such a decision will affect in no way the validity of
the others stipulations.
No
waiver with respect to any breach or default or to any right or remedy as
indicated in these Terms, shall be deemed to constitute a continuing waiver of
any other breach or default or of any right or remedy, unless such waiver is
expressed in writing and signed by Sakata. Similarly, failure of Sakata to
exercise any right in accordance with these Terms shall not be deemed to
constitute a waiver of such right or rights in the future.
All seeds are offered and sold for the production of consumer crops.
It is prohibited to use the seeds or resultant crop plants for the production or
reproduction of propagating material. The purchaser is obliged to allow Sakata
or a third party that carries out inspections on behalf of Sakata direct access
to the business of the purchaser (including amongst others and in particular to
the greenhouses of its business) for inspections in case there is an assumption
of illegal production and/or reproduction of propagating material. The purchaser
shall upon request also allow access to his records and accounts that are
relevant to the aforementioned inspections. The purchaser shall impose the
aforementioned obligations to his own customers.
Orders: Placing an order with Sakata constitutes an offer to purchase seeds
and is subject to these Terms. An order is confirmed only when Sakata issues an
official confirmation or a pro-forma invoice and will only then be binding.
However, the sale contract will be presumed to be legally formed in
the absence of an official confirmation by the delivery of the
seeds.
All orders are subject to availability of the seeds, which is
dependent on crop and processing results. If there is no or reduced availability
of the seeds for any reason following receipt of the purchaser’s order, Sakata
shall be entitled either to cancel the order or to allocate the available seeds
at its discretion and in this last case the purchaser’s order shall be deemed to
be reduced to the quantity Sakata actually delivers and Sakata shall not be
liable to the purchaser in connection with such reduced supply nor in case of
order cancellation by Sakata.
The purchaser cannot assign the benefit of the order to a third party
without Sakata previous agreement.
Delivery: The seeds shall be delivered by Sakata to nominated delivery points
previously agreed in writing by the purchaser.
Any dates specified for the delivery of the seeds are approximate
only. If no dates are so specified delivery will be within a reasonable time in
conformity with the sowing or planting season. Time of delivery shall not be of
the essence of the contract. Subject to the other provisions of these Terms,
Sakata will not be liable for any loss (including loss of profit), costs,
damages, charges or expenses caused directly or indirectly by any delay in the
delivery of seeds (even if caused by Sakata’s negligence).
Sakata is entitled to deliver the seeds in instalments. Where the
seeds are delivered in instalments, failure by Sakata to deliver any one or more
of the instalments in accordance with these Terms or any claim by the purchaser
in respect of any one or more of the instalments shall not entitled the
purchaser to treat the contract as a whole as terminated.
Shipping instructions: The purchaser is requested to forward clear shipping and forwarding
instructions with his order designating the route which will be followed as far
as possible; otherwise Sakata’s best judgment will be used in selecting carriers
and routes.
Transfer of risks: Notwithstanding the retention of title clause hereafter mentioned,
the purchaser bears full liability for all direct and/or indirect risks (in
particular damage to or loss of the seeds) associated with the seeds at the time
the seeds are delivered to the delivery point agreed between the parties or
deemed to be delivered (whichever is earlier), unless otherwise agreed by the
parties.
Prices: All prices are stipulated in Euro currency exclusive of V.A.T as set
out in Sakata’s price lists and are inclusive of the cost of carriage to a
destination within metropolitan France PROVIDED HOWEVER that where the value of
the Contract is less than 150 €, Sakata may charge the purchaser for the full
cost of carriage.
Where the place of delivery required by the purchaser is outside
metropolitan France, Sakata may charge the purchaser for the full cost of
delivery to such place of delivery.
All prices are subject to change by Sakata without prior notice to
the purchaser in case of external factors impacting the prices, such as (but not
limited to) changes of market conditions, price increases of raw materials,
exchange rate movements…….
Minimum values/charges: Sakata will apply a minimum value of Euro 150.00 per
invoice.
Sakata uses as incoterm for all contract of sale concluded under the
present Terms and Conditions, the Ex Works incoterm - as defined by the ICC
Official Rules for the Interpretation of Trade Terms, except if otherwise
expressly agreed or defined by Sakata.
Documentation: Special documentation, special certificates, consular fees, ISTA
Analysis Certificates etc. are charged to the purchaser at cost
price.
Packages: All Sakata standard packages are described in the Sakata catalogue.
Any other package ordered which is not included in this document will be charged
with 10% extra costs and are subject to extra delay in
shipment.
Payment: All invoices must be paid in accordance with the terms of the said
invoice. In case of late payment, penalties will be charged, in accordance with
French legislation, at minimum three times the official French interest rate to
the amount owed inclusive of VAT for each day in which invoices remain unpaid as
of the due payment date until payment is in full made by the
purchaser.
Retention of title clause:
Sakata expressly retains ownership of the seeds until Sakata has
received in full the price invoiced to the purchaser. If any payment problem
arises, i.e. problem of partial or total non-payment of an invoice by the due
date, irrespective of whether or not this is associated with the appointment of
a provisional liquidator or with the legal liquidation of the purchaser, Sakata
reserves the option of requesting that the seeds delivered be returned,
regardless of their location, at the purchaser’s expense and risks, without
prior formal notice. The purchaser therefore undertakes not to grant to any
third party rights likely to impede the application of this clause. He also
undertakes to inform his own customers that the resold seeds are subject to a
retention title clause and that Sakata maintains the right to claim them in
whosoever’s possession they may be.
If any
payment problem arises, the purchaser loses the right to resell the seeds
delivered.
The
purchaser shall handle the seeds delivered so as to enable them to be identified
at all times as the property of Sakata and, following delivery, at its own
expense, insure them against all risks and infringements against intellectual
property rights related to the seeds delivered.
Trade
names and/or numbers are the property of Sakata at all times and can be used by
the purchaser only in connection with seed supplied by Sakata under these trade
names and/or numbers.
The application of the retention of title clause makes no difference
to the transfer of risks, these remaining the responsibility of the purchaser
from the moment the seeds are delivered.
Product Information: All information given in Sakata catalogues or otherwise provided by
Sakata, by any agent or representative on Sakata’s behalf, relating to seeds,
varieties, varietal characteristics or periods of maturiry or otherwise relating
to the performance of the seeds, is given for general guidance only. Purchasers
or prospective purchasers are advised that any information so given does not
constitute a representation by Sakata and should not be relied on as such,
neither does it constitute any warranty on Sakata’s part.
Any recommendation given by Sakata or by its representatives relating
to the use of the seeds in response to a specific enquiry by the purchaser or
otherwise is given in good faith but should not be relied upon unless confirmed
in writing by Sakata. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to satisfy
itself of the suitability of the seeds for use in local
conditions.
Quality Standards: All seeds are offered as having been tested to ensure they comply
with the E.U. seeds regulations and the minimum legal standards in force at the
time of delivery or deemed to be delivered (whichever is
earlier).
Sakata gives all reasonable attention to the production, harvesting
and shipping of seed which merits its own full confidence. However, Sakata gives
no warranty as to the description, quality or productiveness or any other matter
of the seeds delivered.
The
seeds Sakata are supplying are bred from parent components, which have not been
genetically modified. The methods used in the breeding, development and
production of these varieties are aimed at producing pure seed of the highest
quality, complying with all regulatory demands to avoid the adventitious
presence of genetically modified organisms. Seed production is carried out in
open fields in natural conditions in which there is free circulation of pollen.
It cannot be excluded that in seed multiplication areas the authorised
experimental growing of GM plants takes place. Although seed isolation distances
minimise the risk it is not possible to prevent the adventitious presence of GMO
and to guarantee that the seed lots comprising a delivery are completely free
from any traces derived from GM plants. All seed, whether grown by us or
purchased from outside our company, has been subjected to the appropriate
sampling and testing to determine that the seed complies with the relevant seed
legislation. Sakata gives no guarantee that the seed is GMO free and can accept
no liability arising from the adventitious presence of traces of GMO in non-GM
seed lots.
Seed treatment: Whether at the purchaser’s request any treatment, whether chemical or
otherwise, is applied to the seed, Sakata’s liability shall be limited to such
treatment being carried out in the correct manner and/or in accordance with
instructions given by the manufacturer of the chemical in question. Sakata
accepts no responsibility whatsoever for the effectiveness of such treatment or
loss (including loss of profit, data, income, business, revenue or goodwill,
costs, expenses or other claims), damage or injury of any kind which may result
there from.
Conditions of use and storage: The seeds are to be used within a maximum time period of 1 year from
the date of despatch from Sakata warehouse. Although Sakata takes great care to
pack seeds in appropriate packaging, seeds are a living product and the
germination and subsequent performance can be adversly affected by storage under
incorrect conditions. After delivery and prior to sowing it is the customers
responsibility to store the seeds in a dry, cool (but not freezing) location
where the seeds will be free from attack by pests or vermin. No claim or complaint shall be considered by Sakata if the seeds have
been used after the time period indicated above or have not been stored in
accordance with Sakata Terms.
Defects, Complaint terms: The purchaser shall be deemed to have examined the seeds on, or as
soon as possible after delivery to determine:
i)
whether the correct seeds have been delivered
ii)
whether the quantity of delivered seeds is in conformity to the
contract
iii)
whether the description of the delivered seeds is in conformity to
the agreed quality standards or, if no quality standards were agreed upon, to
usual standards.
The purchaser shall report in writing to Sakata any alleged defects
within 5 working days from delivery. The report shall describe the alleged
defect and shall make reference to lot number, delivery note and/or invoice
number of Sakata.
The purchaser shall report latent defects in writing to Sakata within
5 working days from discovering them. The report shall describe the latent
defect and shall make reference to lot number, delivery note and/or invoice
number of Sakata.
No claim or complaint shall be considered by Sakata if the report is
received after the expiry of the above indicated time periods or if the report
does not mention the requested information.
Return of seeds: The purchaser shall not be entitled to return the seeds except in
exceptional circumstances with the prior written consent of Sakata. However,
under no circumstance will Sakata consider acceptance of returned seeds when the
original packaging has been opened or tampered with, or if the conditions of
storage have not been fulfilled as indicated by Sakata.
Limitations of liability: Any seed not complying with the sales confirmation or any seed proved
defective, whether as to purity, germination or otherwise or any seed proved
having a latent defect will at Sakata’s option either be replaced by seed free
of charge or credited at Sakata’s discretion. The liability of Sakata is
exclusively limited to the purchase price of the seed. Sakata hereby expressly
excludes all liabilities for loss or damage which might arise in connection with
seed supplied except for damage resulting from any willful misconduct or gross
negligence of Sakata or its executive management. Any condition, statement or
warranty, statutory or otherwise, not expressly stated in these Terms are
excluded. Sakata accepts no liability whatsoever for any seed that has been
repacked, nor for any non fulfillment, late delivery, tort or other act of
negligence by Sakata, other than expressly stated in this
article.
Sakata is not liable for inappropriate use, storage, processing,
treatment or repacking of the seeds or any acts or omissions of the purchaser or
third parties that affect the seeds or their performance.
The purchaser shall transfer the aforementioned limitations of
liability to his own customers. If not, then the purchaser shall defend and hold
harmless Sakata from any claims, damages, loss or expense including, but not
limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees and any consequential damages arising in
connection with the use, or resale, of the seeds to its own
customers.
Force
Majeure: Sakata
shall not be responsible for delay in delivery of the seeds or any part thereof
occasioned by any Act of God, action by any Government, strike, lockout,
combination of workmen, riot or civil commotion, breakdown of machinery, power
failure, fire, failure of crop, fuel shortage, loss and/or detention at sea, or
any other contingency beyond his control. Should any of the seeds be rendered
unfit for delivery by reason of any of the above acts, the Contract so far as it
relates to those seeds shall be deemed to be discharged.
Insolvency:
1)If the purchaser to the
contract: a) Has a Receiver or Liquidator appointed of any of this property
or business undertaking: b) Announces that he is ceasing to trade (other
than for declared legitimate reasons such as retirement, whilst continuing to
honour all existing contracts); c) Fails to make a payment as due, suspends
payment and/or notifies any of his creditors that he is unable to meet debts or
that he is about to suspend payment of his debts; d) Convenes, calls or
holds a meeting of creditors or; e) Being an individual trader commits an
act of bankruptcy and/or is adjudicated bankrupt or makes any composition or
scheme of arrangement with his creditors; or f) Being a body corporate
convenes, calls or holds a meeting for the purpose of going into liquidation
(other than for the purpose of reconstruction or amalgamation) by the making of
an Order or the passing of a resolution for winding-up; or
g) Being a partnership if
any of the above events occurs with respect to the partnership or to any partner
therein then: - notwithstanding any previous arrangement with the other party
for deferred payments, the full or full remaining price for any goods delivered
by Sakata shall become immediately due to him; and Sakata shall have the right
without prejudice to any other rights and remedies available to him, to cancel
and/or suspend or to refuse to accept any further deliveries and/or to terminate
the contract at any time after becoming aware of any of the above circumstance
providing that; when exercising any of the above rights, the innocent party
informs the purchaser of his intention to exercise such right or rights in
writing within 28 days after the relevant occurrence. 2) Whenever any of
these rights are exercised by Sakata, Sakata will not be liable to pay any
compensation to the purchaser.
Applicable law and jurisdiction : The valdity, interpretation and performance of the present Terms as
well as the sales contracts which would not be specifically governed by these
Terms shall be governed by the laws of France (with express exclusion of the
conflict of laws rules). All
disputes shall be referred to the French jurisdiction.
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