*****

COMMISSION DECISION

of 22 March 1988

authorizing the French Republic to permit temporarily the marketing of durum wheat seed not satisfying the requirements of Council Directive 66/402/EEC

(88/246/EEC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 66/402/EEC of 14 June 1966 on the marketing of cereal seed (1), as last amended by Commission Directive 87/120/EEC (2), and in particular Article 17 thereof,

Having regard to the request submitted by the French Republic,

Whereas in France the production of seed of varieties of durum wheat satisfying the requirements of Directive 66/402/EEC has been insufficient in 1987 and therefore is not adequate to meet that country's needs;

Whereas it is not possible to cover this demand satisfactorily with seed from other Member States, or from third countries, satisfying all the requirements laid down in the said Directive;

Whereas the French Republic should therefore be authorized to permit for a period expiring on 30 April 1988, the marketing of seed of the abovementioned species subject to less stringent requirements;

Whereas, moreover, other Member States, which are able to supply France with such seed not satisfying the requirements of the Directive should be authorized to permit the marketing of such seed provided it is intended for France;

Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Seeds and Propagating Material for Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The French Republic is authorized to permit, for a period expiring on 30 April 1988, the marketing in its territory of a maximum of 5 000 tonnes of seed of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) of the category 'certified seed' which does not satisfy the requirements laid down in Annex II to Directive 66/402/EEC with regard to the minimum germination capacity, provided that the following requirements are satisfied:

(a) the germination capacity is at least 80 % of pure seed;

(b) the official label shall bear the following endorsements:

- 'minimum germination capacity 80 %',

- 'intended exclusively for France'.

Article 2

The other Member States are hereby authorized to permit, subject to the conditions laid down in Article 1, the marketing in their territory of a maximum of 5 000 tonnes of durum wheat seed provided that it is intended exclusively for France. The official label shall bear the endorsements referred to in Article 1 (b).

Article 3

Member States shall notify the Commission before 30 June 1988 of the quantities of seed marketed in their territory pursuant to this Decision. The Commission shall inform the other Member States thereof.

Article 4

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 22 March 1988.

For the Commission

Frans ANDRIESSEN

Vice-President

(1) OJ No 125, 11. 7. 1966, p. 2309/66.

(2) OJ No L 49, 18. 2. 1987, p. 39.