Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 66/402/EEC of 14 June 1966 on the marketing of cereal seed^f1, and in particular Article 17 thereof,

Whereas:

In Austria the quantity of available seed of winter varieties of durum wheat (Triticum durum) suitable for the national climatic conditions and which satisfies the germination capacity requirements of Directive 66/402/EEC is insufficient and is therefore not adequate to meet the needs of the Member State.

It is not possible to meet the demand for seed of that species satisfactorily with seed from other Member States or from third countries, which satisfies all the requirements laid down in Directive 66/402/EEC.

Accordingly, Austria should be authorised to permit the marketing of seed of that species subject to less stringent requirements for a period expiring on 15 November 2005.

In addition, other Member States irrespective of whether the seed was harvested in a Member State or in a third country covered by Council Decision 2003/17/EC of 16 December 2002 on the equivalence of field inspections carried out in third countries on seed-producing crops and the equivalence of seed produced in third countries^f2 which are in a position to supply Austria with seed of that species, should be authorised to permit the marketing of such seed.

It is appropriate that Austria act as coordinator in order to ensure that the total amount of seed authorised pursuant to this Decision does not exceed the maximum quantity covered by this Decision.

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: