Press Release: French import restrictions on plant protection products unacceptable, Commission says

In 2004, French authorities seized plant protection products imported from the Slovak Republic and withdrew their marketing authorisations, claiming that they did not comply with the requirements of French regulation. As the products in question had in fact been subject to adequate tests and controls, the European Commission on 7 July 2005 responded with a reasoned opinion, the second stage of infringement proceedings, which detailed the violation of the principle of free movement of goods and the non-respect of notification procedures constituted by the actions of the French authorities in this case.