COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 11.12.1997 
COM(97) 686 final 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
amending Decision 95/514/EC on the equivalence of field inspections carried 
out in third countries on seed-producing crops and on the equivalence of 
seed produced in third countries 
(presented by the Commission) 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
Directives 66/400/EEC, 66/401/EEC, 66/402/EEC and 69/208/EEC on the 
marketing of beet seed, fodder plant seed, cereal seed and seed of oil and 
fibre plants respectively, provide for the Council to determine whether 
field inspections in third countries and seed harvested in third countries 
are equivalent to those in the Community. 
By Decision 95/514/EC the Council has determined for a limited period that 
field inspections carried out in certain third countries on seed-producing 
crops of certain species satisfies the conditions laid down in the 
Community legislation on the marketing of seed; by the same Decision 
95/514/EC the Council also determined that seed of certain species produced 
in the same third countries was equivalent to corresponding seed produced 
in the Community. This Decision covered twenty-one third countries and 
established the conditions under which seed of agricultural plant species 
might be imported into the Community. 
The Decision 95/514/EC will expire on 31 December 1997. 
In that Decision, reference to the OECD schemes for the varietal 
certification of seed moving in international trade was made as one of the 
bases for Community equivalence. In 1995 a system of alternative seed 
certification was included in these schemes as an experiment. However the 
results of this experiment have not yet been evaluated. In these 
circumstances, it appears desirable to ensure continuation of the 
equivalence, but to limit it, under a new Decision, to further two years, 
i.e. from 1 January 1998 to 31 December 1999. 
There are no subsidiarity implications given that the proposal aims at 
extending the period of validity of an existing measure to ensure further 
uniform applications throughout the Community. 
£ 
PROPOSAL FOR A 
COUNCIL DECISION 
amending Decision 95/514/EC on the equivalence of field inspections carried 
out in third countries on seed-producing crops and on the equivalence of 
seed produced in third countries 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, 
Having regard to Council Directive 66/400/EEC of 14 June 1966 on the 
marketing of beet seed , and in particular Article 16(1) (b) thereof, 
Having regard to Council Directive 66/401/EEC of 14 June 1966 on the 
marketing of fodder plant seed , and in particular Article 16(1) (b) 
thereof, 
Having regard to Council Directive 66/402/EEC of 14 June 1966 on the 
marketing of cereal seed , and in particular Article 16(1)(b) thereof, 
Having regard to Council Directive 69/208/EEC of 30 June 1969 on the 
marketing of seed of oil and fibre plants , and in particular 
Article 15(1)(b) thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Whereas, in Council Decision 95/514/EC it has been determined for a 
limited period that field inspections carried out in certain third 
OJ No 125, 11.07.1966, p. 2290/66, as last amended by Commission 
Directive 96/72/EC (OJ No L 304, 27.11.1996, p. 10). 
OJ No 125, 11.07.1966, p. 2298/66, as last amended by Commission 
Directive 96/72/EC (OJ No L 304, 27.11.1996, p. 10). 
OJ No 125, 11.07.1966, p. 2309/66, as last amended by Commission 
Directive 96/72/EC (OJ L 304, 27.11.1996, p. 10). 
OJ No L 169, 10.07.1969, p. 3, as last amended by Commission 
Directive 96/72/EC (OJ No L 304, 27.11.1996, p. 10). 
OJ No L 296, 09.12.1995, p. 34. Decision as last amended by 
Commission Decision 97/33/EC (OJ No L 13, 16.01.1997, p. 31). 
3 
countries on seed-producing crops of certain species satisfies the 
conditions laid down in Directives 66/400/EEC, 66/401/EEC, 66/402/EEC and 
69/208/EEC; whereas in Decision 95/514/EC it has also been determined that 
seed of certain species produced in certain third countries was equivalent 
to corresponding seed produced in the Community; 
Whereas Decision 95/514/EC will expire on 31 December 1997; whereas a new 
decision is therefore necessary; 
Whereas, in this Decision, reference to the OECD schemes for the varietal 
certification of seed moving in international trade was made as one of the 
bases for Community equivalence; 
Whereas in 1995 a system of alternative seed certification was included in 
these schemes as an experiment; 
Whereas, the results of this experiment have not yet been evaluated; 
Whereas, in these circumstances, it appears desirable to ensure 
continuation of the equivalence, but to limit it, under this Decision, to 
further two years; 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
Article 1 
In Article 6 of Decision 95/514/EC "31 December 1997" is replaced by 
"31 December 1999". 
Article 2 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 
Done at Brussels, For the Council 
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ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(97) 686 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 03 10 14 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-97-708-EN-C 
ISBN 92-78-29072-6 
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