95/513/EC: Council Decision of 29 November 1995 on the equivalence of seed potatoes produced in third countries

COUNCIL DECISION of 29 November 1995 on the equivalence of  seed potatoes produced in third countries (95/513/EC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN  UNION
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 66/403/EEC of 14 June 1966 on the marketing of seed potatoes   (1), and in particular Article 15  (1) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Whereas there are rules on the official control of seed potatoes in Switzerland;
Whereas the abovementioned rules provide that basic seed and certified seed potato may be  officially certified and their containers officially closed in accordance with the UNECE standard  for seed potatoes recommended by the Working Party on Standardization of Perishable Produce and  Quality Development of the Economic Commission for Europe of the United Nations;
Whereas an examination of these rules and the manner in which they are applied in Switzerland have  shown that the conditions governing seed potatoes harvested and controlled in this country afford  the same assurances as regards their characteristics and the arrangements for their inspection, for  ensuring identity, for marking and for control, as do the conditions applicable to seed potatoes  harvested and controlled within the Community;
Whereas Decision 81/956/EEC  (2), which established equivalence for seed potato produced in  Switzerland, expired on 30 June 1995; whereas a new Decision is therefore necessary;
Whereas this Decision does not prevent Community findings from being revoked if it becomes apparent  that the conditions on which such findings are based are no longer fulfilled; whereas, to this end,  further practical information on seed potatoes produced in the abovementioned countries should be  obtained by growing and checking samples of such seed within the framework of the Community  comparative tests;
Whereas this Decision does not affect the requirements which Member States establish under Council  Directive 77/93/EEC of 21 December 1976 on protective measures against the introduction into the  Member States of organisms harmful to plants or plant products  (3),