A4-0412/96

Proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs (COM(96)0266 - C4-0439/96 - 96/0159(CNS))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 2)

Recital 2a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas a time limit must be set beyond which applications submitted under the simplified procedure provided for in Article 17 which do not include all the information required under Article 4 should be deemed to have been withdrawn and may be re-submitted under the normal procedure provided for in Article 5;

(Amendment 3)

ARTICLE -1 (new)

Article 1(1), third subparagraph (Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92)

>Text following EP vote>

Article -1

The third subparagraph of Article 1(1) of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 is replaced by the following:

'Annexes I and II may be amended in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 15.'

(Amendment 5)

ARTICLE 1

Article 13(2), first subparagraph, introduction (Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92)

>Original text>

2. Notwithstanding points (a) and (b) of paragraph 1, Member States may maintain national measures authorizing the use of names registered under Article 17 for a period of not more than five years from the date of publication of registration, provided that:

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2. However, Member States may maintain national measures authorizing the use of the expressions referred to in paragraph 1(a) and (b) for a period of not more than seven years after the date of publication of this Regulation, provided that:

(Amendment 6)

ARTICLE 1

Article 13(2), second subparagraph (Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92)

>Original text>

However, this derogation may not lead to the marketing of products freely on the territory of a Member State where such names are prohibited.

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However, this derogation may not lead to the marketing of products freely on the territory of a Member State where the use of such names by operators who are not subject to the requirements of the corresponding product specification is prohibited.

(Amendment 7)

ARTICLE 1a (new)

Article 13(2a) (new) (Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92)

>Text following EP vote>

Article 1a

In Article 13 of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92, a new paragraph 2a is inserted as follows:

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'2a. In the event of proven difficulties arising in connection with a given product, the Commission may, at the request of the Member State concerned and in accordance with the procedure provided for in Article 15, extend the period laid down in paragraph 2 of this article.'

(Amendment 8)

ARTICLE 1b (new)

Article 17(3a) (new) (Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92)

>Text following EP vote>

Article 1b

In Article 17 of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92, a new paragraph 3a is inserted as follows:

'3a. In accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 15, the Commission shall set a time limit of not more than one year, beyond which applications submitted by the Member States in accordance with this article and in respect of which it has proved impossible to register the relevant geographical indications or denominations of origin owing to a lack of all the information required under Article 4 shall be deemed to have been withdrawn. Such applications may be re- submitted under the procedure laid down in Article 5.'

(Amendment 9)

ARTICLE 1c (new)

Annex II (Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92)

>Text following EP vote>

Article 1c

Annex II of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 is replaced by the following:

' ANNEX II

Agricultural products referred to in Article 1(1)

- Hay

- Essential oils

- Cork

- Cochineal.'

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs (COM(96)0266 - C4-0439/96 - 96/0159(CNS))

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(96)0266 - 96/0159(CNS) ((OJ C 241, 20.8.1996, p. 7.)),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 43 of the EC Treaty (C4-0439/96),

- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (A4-0412/96),

1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;

2. Calls on the Council to notify Parliament should it intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

3. Asks to be consulted again should the Council intend to make substantial modifications to the Commission proposal;

4. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.