Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the:

- 'Proposal for a Council Directive on the marketing of vegetable seed' (consolidated version),

- 'Proposal for a Council Directive on the marketing of cereal seed' (consolidated version), and

- 'Proposal for a Council Directive on the common catalogue of agricultural plant species' (consolidated version)

(96/C 153/14)

On 30 January 1996, the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Articles 43 and 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned proposals.

The Section for Agriculture and Fisheries, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 8 February 1996. The Rapporteur was Mr Bento Gonçalves.

At its 333rd Plenary Session (meeting of 28 February 1996), the Economic and Social Committee unanimously adopted the following Opinion.

1. Introduction

1.1. The Commission proposal aims to systematize the consolidation of the various legislative texts concerning the marketing of seed in the European Union, in response to the Community authorities' request for simplification and transparency of Community law.

Following this request, in April 1987, the Commission decided to proceed with the consolidation of legal acts after the tenth amendment at the latest, to make for clearer Community legislation which would be more readily understood by the user.

2. General remarks

2.1. The new consolidated Directives will consequently replace the various previous texts which have already been the subject of ESC Opinions. The content of the texts will remain unchanged. Amendments introduced during consolidation are merely a matter of form.

2.2. The consolidated Directive will provide a valuable basis for any legal amendments which might be necessary in the future.

3. Specific remarks

3.1. The first Commission proposal aims to systematize the consolidation of the legislative texts concerning the marketing of vegetable seed [95/0320(CNS)]. Seed production plays an important role in EU agriculture, so improving seed quality helps to increase Community vegetable-growing productivity, thanks to Member State implementation of common regulations which are as stringent as possible.

3.2. Proposal 95/0321(CNS) aims to systematize the consolidation of legal texts concerning the marketing of cereal seed. Satisfactory results in cereal cultivation depend largely on the use of suitable seed. Increased cereal growing productivity in the Community will be obtained by Member State implementation of common regulations, which will be as stringent as possible, thus ensuring top quality seed.

3.3. Proposal 95/0322(CNS) aims to use national catalogues to create a common catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species for the following: beetroot, forage plants, cereals, potato plants and oil and fibre plants, with a view to improving market clarity and logic.

3.4. The proposed Directive does not apply to varieties for which it has been proved that the seed or plant are meant for export to third countries.

4. Conclusions

4.1. The Committee endorses the European Commission proposal for:

- the Council Directive on the marketing of vegetable seed;

- the Council Directive on the marketing of cereal seed; and

- the Council Directive on the common catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species.

4.2. Moreover, the principle of consolidation satisfies a request from the Economic and Social Committee.

Done at Brussels, 28 February 1996.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Carlos FERRER