COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 26.11.1996 
COM(%) 604 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 1996. 
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 12 months, i.e. from 1 January 1997 
to 31 December 1997. 
There are no subsidiarity implications given that the proposal 
aimes at extending the period of validity of an existing measure 
to ensure further uniform applications throughout the Coiï ïunity. 
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I-. 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 seed1, 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 seed2, 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 seed3, 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 plants4, and in particular 
Article 15(1)(b) thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
0J No 125, 11.07.1966, p. 2290/66. Directive as last amended by the 
1994 Act of Accession. 
0J No 125, 11.07.1966, p. 2298/66. Directive as last amended by 
Commission Directive 96/18/EC (OJ No L 76, 26.03.1996, p. 21). 
OJ No 125, 11.07.1966, p. 2309/66. Directive as last amended by 
Commission Directive 95/6/EC (OJ L 67, 25.03.1995, p. 30). 
OJ No L 169, 10.07.1969, p. 3. Directive as last amended by 
Commission Directive 96/18/EC (OJ No L 76, 26.03.1996, p. 21). 
d 
Whereas, in Council Decision 95/514/EC5 it has been 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 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 1996; whereas a new 
decision is therefore necessary; 
Whereas, in this Decision, reference to the 0ECD 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 12 months; 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
Article 1 
In Article 6 of Decision 95/514/EC "31 December 1996" is replaced by 
"31 December 1997". 
Article 2 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 
Done at Brussels, « For the Council 
OJ No L 296, 09.12.1995, p. 34. Decision as last amended by 
Commission Decision 96/217/EC (OJ No L 72, 21.03.1996, p. 37) 
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i ! ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(96) 604 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 03 11 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-96-596-EN-C 
ISBN 92-78-11704-8 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
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