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COMMISSION DECISION

of 4 April 1990

authorizing the Italian Republic to permit temporarily the marketing of rice seed not satisfying the requirements of Council Directive 66/402/EEC

(90/204/EEC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 66/402/EEC of 14 June 1966 on the marketing of cereal seed (1), as last amended by Commission Directive 89/2/EEC (2), and in particular Article 17 thereof,

Having regard to the request submitted by the Italian Republic,

Whereas in Italy the production of rice seed satisfying the requirements of Directive 66/402/EEC was insufficient in 1989 and therefore is not adequate to meet that country's needs;

Whereas it is not possible to cover this demand satisfactorily with seed from other Member States, or from third countries, satisfying all the requirements laid down in the said Directive;

Whereas Italy should therefore be authorized to permit for a period expiring on 31 May 1990, the marketing of seed of the abovementioned species subject to less stringent requirements;

Whereas, moreover, other Member States, which are able to supply Italy with such seed not satisfying the requirements of the Directive should be authorized to permit the marketing of such seed provided it is intended for Italy;

Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Seeds and Propagating Material for Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The Italian Republic is authorized to permit, for a period expiring on 31 May 1990, the marketing in its territory of a maximum of 1 000 tonnes of seed of rice (Oryza sativa L.) of the category 'certified seed of the first generation' or 'certified seed of the second generation', which does not satisfy the requirements laid down in Annex II to Directive 66/402/EEC with regard to the maximum number of red seeds, provided that the following requirements are satisfied:

(a) the number of red seeds of rice in a sample of 500 grams shall not exceed, in the case of certified seed of the first generation, six, or, in the case of certified seed of the second generation, eight;

(b) the official label shall bear the following endorsements:

- (in the case of certified seed of the first generation) 'six red seeds in 500 g sample' or (in the case of certified seed of the second generation) 'eight red seeds in 500 g sample',

- 'intended exclusively for Italy'.

Article 2

The other Member States are hereby authorized to permit, subject to the conditions laid down in Article 1, the marketing in their territory of a maximum of 1 000 tonnes of rice seed provided that it is intended exclusively for Italy. The official label shall bear the endorsements referred to in Article 1 (b).

Article 3

Member States shall notify the Commission before 31 July 1990 of the quantities of seed marketed in their territory pursuant to this Decision. The Commission shall inform the other Member States thereof.

Article 4

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 4 April 1990.

For the Commission

Ray MAC SHARRY

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ No 125, 11. 7. 1966, p. 2309/66.

(2) OJ No L 5, 7. 1. 1989, p. 31.