COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMVIUNITIES 
C0M(91) 76 final 
Brussels, 12 March 1991 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
amending the seventh Decision, 857358/EBC, on the equivalence of field 
inspections carried out in third countries on seed producing crops 
and the seventh Decision, 857356/EEC, on the equivalence of 
seed produced in third countries 
(presented by the Commission) 
EXPLAMATQEg IEEE 
By Decision 85/355/EBC the Council determined that field inspections carried 
out in certain third countries on seed-producing crops of oertain species 
satisfy the conditions laid down in the Community legislation on the 
marketing of seed; by Decision 83/356/EBC the Council determined that seed of 
certain species produced in the same third countries is equivalent to 
corresponding seed produced in the Community. These Decisions cover twenty-
one third countries and establish the conditions under which seed of 
agricultural plant species may be imported into the Community. 
Both Decisions expire on 30 June 1995 for the vast majority of the countries, 
having been renewed in 1990 for a period of 5 years. In the case of Austria, 
however, additional information was needed before a full five year 
equvialence could be considered and the equivalence arrangements only 
extended to that country until 31st March 1991. 
In the light of additional information this proposal provides for an 
extension of the period of equivalence for Austria for all seeds, other than 
maize, until 30th June 1995. In the case of maize, further monitoring of the 
situation is still necessary and the proposal provides for a one year 
extension only, that is until 31st March 1992. 
The proposal would have little or no impact on small or medium-sized 
enterprises. 
- 2 -
COUNCIL DECISION 
Of 
amending the seventh Decision, 85/355/EBC, on the equivalence of field 
inspections carried out in third countries on seed producing crops 
and the seventh Decision, 85/356/EBC, on the equivalence of 
seed produced in third countries 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN OCMMDNTTIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, 
Having regard to Council Directive 66/400/EEC of 14 June 1966 on the 
marketing of beet seed^1) as last amended fcy Directive 90/654/EEC(2) and in 
particular Article 16(1)(a) and (b) thereof, 
Having regard to Council Directive 66/401/EEC of 14 June 1966 on the 
marketing of fodder plant seed(3), as last amended by Directive 
90/654/EEC(2) and in particular Article 16(l)(a) and (b) thereof, 
Having regard to Council Directive 66/402/EBC of 14 June 1966 on the 
marketing of cereal seedt4), as last amended by Directive 90/654/EBC^2) 
and in particular Article 16(1)(a) and (b) thereof, 
Having regard to Council Directive 69/208/EBC of 30 June 1969 on the 
marketing of seed of oil and fibre plants^5), as last amended by Directive 
90/654/EEC(2) and in particular Article 15(l)(a) and (b) thereof, 
(1) QTNO 125, 11.7.1966, p. 2290/66. 
(2) QJ No L 353, 17.12.1990, p. 48. 
(3) OJ NO 125, 11.7.1966, p. 2298/66. 
(4) OJNO 125, 11.7.1966, p. 2309/66. 
(5) OJ No L 169, 10.7.1969, p. 3. 
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Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Whereas, in its seventh Decision, 85/355/EEC(6), as last amended by Council 
Decision 90/402/EBC(?) the Council determined that field inspections carried 
out in certain third countries on seed-producing crops of certain species 
satisfy the conditions laid down in Directives 66/400/EBC, 66/401/EBC, 
66/402/EBC and 69/208/EBC; 
Whereas, in its seventh Decision, 85/356/EBC^8^, as last amended by Council 
Decision 90/402/EBcW the Council determined that seed of certain species 
produced in certain third countries is equivalent to corresponding seed 
harvested in the Community; 
Whereas, in the case of certain third countries, additional detailed 
information was requested and the equivalence granted In respect of those 
countries was limited to a period thought necessary to examine and assess 
that additional information; whereas that period expires in the case of 
Austria on 31 March 1991; 
Whereas, in the case of Austria, the examination and assessment of the 
information requested is, for the present, complete for all the species other 
than maize; whereas it is therefore appropriate as far as species other than 
maize are concerned, to extend the above-mentioned period until 30 June 1995, 
the date on which Decisions 85/355/EBC and 85/356/EBC expire in respect of 
the majority of third countries; 
Whereas in the case of Austria and as far as maize is concerned further 
Information is awaited; whereas it is therefore appropriate in this case, to 
grant a shorter extension of the abovementioned period, to allow time for 
this ±DfcujuBitixtt to te supplied aod aasossfid.; 
(6) OJ No L 195, 26.7.1985, p. 1. 
(7) OJ NO L 208, 7.8.1990, p. 37. 
(8) OJ NO L 195, 26.7.1985, p. 20. 
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HAS ADOPTS) OSES DECISION: 
Article l 
Article 3 of Decision 85/355/EBC is replaced by the following: 
'Article 3 
This Decision shall apply from 1 July 1990 to 31 March 1992 in the case of 
Austria for the species Zea maize (Maize), from 1 July 1990 to 30 June 1995 
in the case of Austria for all other species listed against that country in 
the table in Part I, point (2) of the Annex, from 1 July 1990 to 30 June 1992 
in the case of Australia for the species Medioago sativa (lucerne) and 
ïïellanthns annuus (sunflower), from 1 July 1990 to 30 June 1995 in the case 
of Australia for all other species listed against that country in the table 
in Part I, point (2) of the Annex and from 1 July 1990 to 30 June 1995 in the 
case of the other third countries listed in Fart 1 of the Annex. ' 
Article 2 
Article 5 of Decision 85/356/EBC is hereby amended as follows: 
'Article 5 
This Decision shall apply from 1 July 1990 to 31 March 1992 in the case of 
Austria for the species Zea maize (maize), from 1 duly 1990 to 30 June 1995 
in the case of Austria for all other species listed against that country in 
the table in Part 1, point (2) of the Annex, from 1 July 1990 to 30 June 1992 
in the case of Australia for the species Medioago sativa (luoeme) and 
Htelianthus annuus (sunflower), from 1 July 1990 to 30 June 1995 In the case 
of Australia for all other species listed against that country in the tsiûe 
in Part I, point (2) of the Annex and from 1 July 1990 to 30 June 109£ i^ ths 
case of the other third countries listed in Part 1 of the Annex. ' 
Article 3 
TMg Decision is addressed to the Member States. 
Done at Brussels, For the Council 
à 
Task Force PME 
COMPETITIVENESS AND EMPLOYMENT IMPACT STATEMENT 
I What is the main reason for introducing the measure? 
To extend the period of seed equivalence arrangements for Austria until 
31st March 1992 in respect of maize seed and until 30th June 1995 for 
all other seed. 
II Features of the business in question. In particular: 
a) Are there many SMEs? 
Not known 
b) Are they concentrated in regions v,TMv'h «TW 
I eligible for regional aid in the Member States? 
So far as is known, there is no particular concentration of SME's 
in any particular region 
II eligible under the ERDF? 
III What direct obligations does this measure impose on businesses? 
None 
IV What indirect obligations are local authorities likely to impose on 
businesses? 
None 
V Are there any special measures in respect of SMEs? Please specify. 
None 
VI What is the likely effect on: 
a) the oompetiveness of businesses? 
None 
b) employment? 
None 
VII Have both sides of industry been consulted? Please indicate their 
opinions. 
No 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(91) 76 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 
03 
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ISBN 92-77-700974 
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