[pic] | COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES |

Brussels, 17.9.2009

COM(2009) 486 final2006/0258 (COD)

OPINION OF THE COMMISSION

pursuant to Article 251(2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty on the European Parliament's amendment to the Council's common position regarding the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning statistics on plant protection products, amending the proposal of the Commission pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty

2006/0258 (COD)

OPINION OF THE COMMISSION

pursuant to Article 251(2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty on the European Parliament's amendment to the Council's common position regarding the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning statistics on plant protection products, amending the proposal of the Commission pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty

1. INTRODUCTION

Article 251(2), third subparagraph, point (c), of the EC Treaty provides for the Commission to deliver an opinion on amendments proposed by the European Parliament on second reading. The Commission sets out its opinion below on the amendment proposed by Parliament.

2. Background

Date of transmission of the proposal to the EP and the Council (document COM(2006) 778 final — 2006/0258 (COD): | 11 December 2006 |

Date of the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee: | 11 July 2007 |

Date of the opinion of the European Parliament, first reading: | 12 March 2008 |

Date of adoption of the common position (by unanimity): | 20 November 2008 |

Date of the opinion of the European Parliament, second reading: | 24 April 2009 |

3. PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSAL

The proposed Regulation creates a legal framework and defines harmonised rules for the collection and dissemination of statistics on the sale and use of plant protection products. In particular, it defines rules for: data collection frequency (annually for sales – every 5 years for use); data collection methods, with considerable flexibility given to the Member States; the format and periodicity of reporting obligations, which can be specified in detail by the Commission through the comitology procedure. |

- This Regulation concerning statistics on plant protection products is part of a legislative package that includes the proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework for Community action to achieve a sustainable use of pesticides (COM(2006) 373 final) and the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market (COM(2006) 388 final), on which agreement was reached between the co-legislators in January 2009 (AGRI Council).

4. OPINION OF THE COMMISSION ON THE AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

The Commission accepts amendment 41.

At the same time, the Commission welcomes the invitation communicated to the Council by the Chairs of the political groups of the European Parliament to reconfirm the entire compromise as negotiated during the second reading stage between representatives of the European Parliament and the Council.

5. CONCLUSION

Pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty, the Commission amends its proposal as set out above.