Commission Directive 2004/55/EC of 20 April 2004 amending Council Directive 66/401/EEC on the marketing of fodder plant seed (Text with EEA relevance)

Commission Directive 2004/55/EC
of 20 April 2004
amending Council Directive 66/401/EEC on the marketing of fodder plant seed
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 66/401/EEC of 14 June 1966 on the marketing of fodder plant seed(1), and in particular Article 2(1a) and 21a thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Directive 66/401/EEC contains a list of the genera and species of plants which are considered as fodder plants within the meaning of that Directive. That list includes hybrids resulting from the crossing of meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Hudson) with Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam).
(2) The scope of Directive 66/401/EEC should be extended to cover crossings of Festuca spp. with Lolium spp.
(3) The abovementioned directive, within the conditions to be satisfied by the seed, has established the minimum germination ( % of pure seed) of seed of field bean (Vicia faba L.).
(4) The minimum germination of seed of field beans (Vicia faba L.) currently achieved in the Community is lower than that required by Directive 66/401/EEC.
(5) Directive 66/401/EEC should therefore be amended accordingly.
(6) The measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Seeds and Propagating Material for Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry,