Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION authorising the Commission to allow Finland to grant aid for certain quantities of herbaceous seeds

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

Under Article 8 of Regulation (EEC) No 2358/71 Finland may, subject to authorisation by the Commission, grant aid for certain quantities of seeds.

On the basis of information sent to the Commission by Finland, the Commission forwarded to the Council the report required under Article 8 of Regulation (EEC) No 2358/71.

The information in the report shows that the national aid granted by Finland in the herbaceous seed sector since accession has not affected trade between the Member States. Consequently, the Commission should be authorised to permit Finland to grant aid for the production of herbaceous seeds until 31 December 2005 if the specific climatic conditions in that country so justify and with a view to allowing the Finnish sector to adjust to the rules of the common organisation of the market in seeds.

Varieties of herbaceous seeds needed for cultivation in Finland, adapted to the climatic conditions in that country and not propagated in the other Member States, are eligible for aid. For that reason, the Commission's authorisation should cover exclusively those varieties of herbaceous seeds which are grown only in Finland and listed in Finland's national catalogue of varieties.

This proposal does not entail any financial consequences for the Community.

Proposal for a

COUNCIL REGULATION

authorising the Commission to allow Finland to grant aid for certain quantities of herbaceous seeds

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2358/71 of 26 October 1971 on the common organisation of the market in seeds [1], as amended by the Act of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden and last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1405/1999 [2], and in particular Articles 3(4) and 8 thereof,

[1] OJ L 246, 5.11.1971, p. 1.

[2] OJ L 164, 30.6.1999, p. 17.

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission [3],

[3] OJ C..., , p. .

Whereas:

(1) Under Article 8 of Regulation (EEC) No 2358/71 Finland may, subject to authorisation by the Commission, grant aid for certain quantities of seeds.

(2) On the basis of information sent to the Commission by Finland, the Commission forwarded to the Council the report required under Article 8 of Regulation (EEC) No 2358/71.

(3) The information in the report shows that the national aid granted by Finland in the herbaceous seed sector since accession has not affected trade between the Member States. Consequently, the Commission should be authorised to permit Finland to grant aid for the production of herbaceous seeds until 31 December 2005 if the specific climatic conditions in that country so justify and with a view to allowing the Finnish sector to adjust to the rules of the common organisation of the market in seeds.

(4) Varieties of herbaceous seeds needed for cultivation in Finland, adapted to the climatic conditions in that country and not propagated in the other Member States, are eligible for aid. For that reason, the Commission's authorisation should cover exclusively those varieties of herbaceous seeds which are grown only in Finland and listed in Finland's national catalogue of varieties,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION

Article 1

The Commission is hereby authorised to allow Finland to grant national aid up to 31 December 2005 for certain quantities of herbaceous seeds if the special climatic conditions in that country so justify.

The Commission's authorisation shall cover only those varieties of herbaceous seeds grown in Finland and listed in Finland's national catalogue of varieties.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the seventh day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

It shall apply from 1 January 2000.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President