Introductory text

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Directive 66/402/EEC of 14 June 1966 on the marketing of cereal seed^f1, and in particular Article 17(1) thereof,

Whereas:

In the Netherlands the quantity of available seed of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) of the category ‘certified seed’ belonging to the varieties Baldus, Granny, KWS Aurum, Lavett, Minaret, Pasteur, Taifun, Thasos, Trappe, Tybalt and Zirrus which is suitable for the national environmental conditions and which satisfies the requirements of Directive 66/402/EEC related to field inspections is insufficient and is therefore not adequate to meet the needs of that Member State.

The demand for such seed cannot be satisfied by seed from other Member States or from third countries fulfilling all the requirements laid down in Directive 66/402/EEC.

Consequently, the Netherlands should be authorised to permit the marketing of seed of those varieties subject to less stringent requirements than apply to certified seed, for a period expiring on 30 April 2011 and up to a maximum quantity of 330 tonnes.

In addition, other Member States which are in a position to supply the Netherlands with seed of those varieties, irrespective of whether it was harvested in a Member State or in a third country, should be authorised to permit the marketing of such seed.

It is appropriate that the Netherlands act as a 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: