# C_2017273EN.01000301.xml

| 18.8.2017 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 273/3 |
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18.8.2017

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 273/3

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COMMISSION DECISION

of 16 August 2017

amending Decision 2009/427/EC establishing the expert group for technical advice on organic production

(2017/C 273/03)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Whereas:

| (1) | By Decision 2009/427/EC (1) the Commission has set up the expert group for technical advice on organic production (‘the group’). |
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(1)

By Decision 2009/427/EC (1) the Commission has set up the expert group for technical advice on organic production (‘the group’).

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| (2) | Article 4(5) of Decision 2009/427/EC lays down that the members of the group are appointed for a 3-year renewable term of office. Experience with the group so far has shown that a period of 3 years is too short to enable the group to fully exert its tasks. Technical advice on organic production has an important role to play in the light of the evolution of the organic sector. The authorisation procedure, including technical advice for the use of agricultural practices and the application of substances, will need to be adapted to forthcoming legislative developments relating to the organic production. It is also necessary to ensure continuity in relation to the work of the group. Therefore, the term of mandate of the group set out in Decision 2009/427/EC should be extended to a 4-year term. |
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(2)

Article 4(5) of Decision 2009/427/EC lays down that the members of the group are appointed for a 3-year renewable term of office. Experience with the group so far has shown that a period of 3 years is too short to enable the group to fully exert its tasks. Technical advice on organic production has an important role to play in the light of the evolution of the organic sector. The authorisation procedure, including technical advice for the use of agricultural practices and the application of substances, will need to be adapted to forthcoming legislative developments relating to the organic production. It is also necessary to ensure continuity in relation to the work of the group. Therefore, the term of mandate of the group set out in Decision 2009/427/EC should be extended to a 4-year term.

| (3) | Decision 2009/427/EC should therefore be amended accordingly, |
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(3)

Decision 2009/427/EC should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

In Article 4 of Decision 2009/427/EC, paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:

‘5.   Members of the group are appointed for a 4-year renewable term of office and may not serve for more than three consecutive mandates. They shall remain in office until such time as they are replaced in accordance with paragraph 6 or their term of office ends.’

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.

Done at Brussels, 16 August 2017.

For the Commission

Phil HOGAN

Member of the Commission

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(1)  Commission Decision 2009/427/EC of 3 June 2009 establishing the expert group for technical advice on organic production (OJ L 139, 5.6.2009, p. 29).

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