Decision (EU) 2018/1674 amending Decision 2003/17/EC as regards the equivalence of field inspections carried out on seed-producing crops and on the equivalence of seed produced in Brazil and Moldova

Summary:

On 14 November 2017 the European Commission presented a proposal for a Council Decision on the equivalence of field inspections carried out on seed-producing crops and of seed production in Brazil and Moldova. The Council of the European Union adopted the Decision on 23 October 2018.

Further information:

Decision 2003/17/EC grants equivalence to certain non-EU countries as regards field inspections and production of seed of certain species that are carried out in accordance with Directives 66/401/EEC, 66/402/ EEC, 2002/54/EC and 2002/57/EC. The national provisions governing seed harvested and controlled in these countries afford the same assurances on the seed’s characteristics and the arrangements for examining it, for ensuring seed identification, for marking and for control as the provisions applicable to seed harvested and controlled within the European Union. Since Brazil and Moldova are not among these non-EU countries, seed harvested there cannot be imported into the EU.

Brazil submitted a request to the Commission that its fodder plant and cereal seed be covered by Decision 2003/17/EC. Moldova asked the Commission for its cereal, oil and fibre plant and vegetable seed to be covered by the same Decision. In response to these requests, the Commission examined Brazil's and Moldova's legislation on the subject. It then audited the field inspections and seed certification systems for seed in those countries. It concluded that their requirements and systems are equivalent to the EU's and provide the same assurances.

It is therefore appropriate to recognise Brazilian seed as equivalent to fodder plant and cereal seed harvested, produced and controlled in the EU. Similarly, it is appropriate to recognise Moldovan seed as equivalent to seed from cereals, oil and fibre plants and vegetables that are harvested, produced and controlled in the EU.

Official

EUR-Lex: COM(2017)643: Proposal to amend Decision 2003/17/EC as regards the equivalence of field inspections carried out on seed-producing crops and on the equivalence of seed produced in Brazil and Moldova http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2017:643:FIN

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