Live plants and floricultural products

The common organisation of the market in live plants and floricultural products stabilises the market and ensures the disposal of products by facilitating their marketing and laying down quantitative standards and detailed rules for trade with third countries.

ACT

Regulation (EEC) No 234/68 of the Council of 27 February 1968 on the establishment of a common organisation of the market in live trees and other plants, bulbs, roots and the like, cut flowers and ornamental foliage [See amending acts].

SUMMARY

As from 1 January 2008, the products covered by this Regulation are governed by the common organisation of agricultural markets.

Scope

The products concerned are live trees and other plants, bulbs, roots and the like, cut flowers and ornamental foliage.

Marketing and standards

Community measures encouraging action by trade or joint trade organisations may be taken to improve the quality and use made of products to promote better organisation of production and marketing, and to facilitate the recording of market price trends.

In order to provide orientation for producers and promote marketing, the Council lays down marketing standards. The Member States are responsible for applying them. These standards require that products for sale must be labelled with their origin and size grading.

Trade with third countries

Importation may be subject to the grant of an import licence by the Member States.

The levying of any customs duty or charge having equivalent effect and the application of any quantitative import restriction or measure having equivalent effect are prohibited in trade with third countries.

Protective measures may be taken if the Community market is liable to suffer disturbance by reason of imports or exports.

Other provisions

Except where the Regulation stipulates otherwise, the Treaty rules on state aid apply to the sector.

The Commission is assisted by a Management Committee (FR) for Live Plants, comprising Member States' representatives and chaired by a Commission representative.

RELATED ACTS

ExportsRegulation (EEC) No 1767/68 [Official Journal L 271, 7.11.1968].

System of minimum prices for exports of flowering corms, bulbs and tubers.

See consolidated version (pdf).

Regulation (EEC) No 537/70 [Official Journal L 67, 24.3.1970].

Authorisation of Member States to take measures derogating from certain requirements of the quality standards for exports of flowering corms, bulbs and tubers.

See consolidated version (pdf).

ImportsRegulation (EEC) No 3279/75 [Official Journal L 326, 18.12.1975]. Standardisation of the treatment applied by the individual Member States to imports from non‑member countries of live trees and other plants, bulbs, roots and the like, cut flowers and ornamental foliage.

Regulation (EC) No 2026/97 [Official Journal L 288, 21.10.1997].

Protection against subsidised imports from countries which are not members of the European Community.

See also

For further details, please consult the legislation relating to the common organisation of the market in floricultural products.

Last updated: 07.03.2008