Seed produced in third countries: examinations under official supervision and equivalence

2004/0086(CNS)

PURPOSE: harmonizing controls of seeds originating in third countries

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Directive 2004/117/EC amending Directives 66/401/EEC, 2002/54/EC, 2002/55/EC and 2002/57/EC

CONTENT: The scope of EU seed ‘equivalence’ for seed harvested in third countries is currently restricted to certain categories of seed and new rules are seeking to extend the equivalency regime to all kind of seeds meeting the characteristics and the examination requirements laid down in the various Community Directives on the marketing of seeds.

An experiment aimed at assessing whether seed sampling and seed testing, under official supervision, may constitute improved alternatives to official seed certification took place between 1998 and 2003. Several Member States participated in this and results indicate that under certain conditions, there could be a simplification of the procedures relating to official seed certification without any significant decline in quality. This Directive amends Directives related to the marketing of fodder plant seed (66/401/EEC), cereal seed (66/402/EEC), beet seed (2002/54/EC), vegetable seed (2002/55/EC) and seed pf oil and fibre plants (2002/57/EC).

DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE: 25/01/2005.

DATE OF IMPLEMENTATION: 01/10/2005.