1.   Imports into the Community of any of the products listed in Article 1 may be subject to the presentation of an import licence. The products for which import licences are required shall be determined in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 10(2).

2.   Import licences shall be issued by the Member States to any persons who so request, irrespective of their place of establishment in the Community.

3.   Licences shall be valid for imports carried out anywhere in the Community. Their issue shall be subject to the lodging of a security guaranteeing that the products are imported during the validity period of the licence. Except in cases of force majeure, the security shall be forfeited in whole or in part if the transaction is not carried out, or is carried out only partially, within that period.

1.   The general rules for the interpretation of the Combined Nomenclature and the detailed rules for its application shall apply to the tariff classification of products referred to in Article 1. The tariff nomenclature resulting from the application of this Regulation shall be included in the Common Customs Tariff.

2.   Save as otherwise provided for in this Regulation or in provisions adopted pursuant thereto, the following shall be prohibited in trade with third countries:

1.   If, by reason of imports or exports, the Community market in one or more of the products listed in Article 1 is affected by, or is threatened with, serious disturbance likely to jeopardise the achievement of the objectives set out in Article 33 of the Treaty, appropriate measures may be applied in trade with non-member countries of the World Trade Organisation until such disturbance or threat of it has ceased.

2.   If the situation referred to in paragraph 1 arises, the Commission shall, at the request of a Member State or on its own initiative, decide upon the necessary measures. The Member States shall be notified of such measures, which shall be immediately applicable. If the Commission receives a request from a Member State, it shall take a decision thereon within three working days following receipt of the request.

3.   The measures mentioned in paragraph 2 may be referred to the Council by any Member State within three working days of the day on which they are notified. The Council shall meet immediately. It may, acting by a qualified majority, amend or repeal the measures in question within one month of the day on which the measures are referred to it.

4.   Arrangements adopted under this Article shall take account of the obligations arising from agreements concluded in accordance with Article 300(2) of the Treaty.

1.   Save as otherwise provided in this Regulation, Articles 87, 88 and 89 of the Treaty shall apply to the production of, and trade in, the products listed in Article 1.

2.   However, Finland may, subject to authorisation by the Commission, grant aid respectively for certain quantities of seeds and for certain quantities of cereal seed produced solely in Finland, because of its specific climatic conditions.

Prior to 1 January 2006, the Commission shall transmit to the Council, on the basis of the information supplied in due time by Finland, a report on the results of the aid authorised, accompanied by the necessary proposals.

1.   The Commission shall be assisted by a Management Committee for Seeds (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Committee’).

2.   Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply.

The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at one month.

3.   The Committee shall adopt its Rules of Procedure.

1.   Regulations (EEC) No 2358/71 and (EEC) No 1674/72 are hereby repealed.

2.   References to Regulation (EEC) No 2358/71 shall be construed as references to this Regulation and shall be read in accordance with the correlation table in the Annex.