The European Parliament adopted by 491 votes to 159, with 47 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Decision 2003/17/EC as regards the equivalence of field inspections carried out in Ukraine on cereal seed-producing crops and on the equivalence of cereal seed produced in Ukraine.

The European Parliament adopted its position at first reading in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure without amending the Commission proposal.

The proposal aims to update Council Decision 2003/17/EC, which grants equivalence to certain non-EU countries in respect of field inspections carried out and seed production of certain species in accordance with Directives 66/401/EEC, 66/402/EEC, 2002/54/EC and 2002/57/EC. It is intended to add Ukraine to the list of countries for which the equivalence of field inspections carried out in respect of seed-producing crops of cereal species and the equivalence of produced seed has been recognised.

The proposal follows the request to have its cereal seed covered by Council Decision 2003/17/EC as equivalent cereal seed. Following this request, the Commission examined the relevant Ukrainian legislation and carried out an audit of field inspections and of the certification scheme for cereal seed in Ukraine. This examination led to overall positive results. The requirements and the system in place in Ukraine are equivalent to those of the EU and offer the same guarantees as the EU system.

A proposal to reject the Commission's proposal was rejected in plenary by 111 to 572, with 11 abstentions.

PURPOSE: to add Ukraine to the list of countries, for which equivalence of field inspections of seed-producing crops of cereal species and the equivalence of the produced seed has been recognised.

PROPOSED ACT: Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the European Parliament decides in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure on an equal footing with the Council.

BACKGROUND: Council Decision 2003/17/EC provides that under certain conditions field inspections carried out on certain seed-producing crops in the listed third countries are to be considered equivalent to field inspections carried out in accordance with Union law and that under certain conditions seed of certain species of cereal produced in those countries is to be considered equivalent to seed produced in accordance with Union law.

Ukraine has submitted a request to the Commission for equivalence as regards its system of field inspection of cereal seed producing crops and in respect of cereal seed produced and certified in Ukraine.

Following that request, the Commission examined the relevant Ukrainian legislation and carried out an audit of the field inspections and seed certification system for cereal seed in place in Ukraine. It was concluded that its requirements and system in place are equivalent to the ones of the Union and offer the same assurance as the Union’s system.

CONTENT: the proposal to amend Decision 2003/17/EC aims to grant equivalence as regards field inspections carried in respect of cereal seed in Ukraine and as regards cereal seed produced in Ukraine and officially certified by its authorities.

The proposal fully meets the objectives of the EU/Ukraine Association Agreement as it shall boost trade in seed which complies with EU rules.

According to the Commission, equivalence would therefore contribute to the maintenance of the continuous supply of high quality seed in the EU. Moreover, European seed companies seek new opportunities, which would be provided for by the EU equivalence. The proposal has no impact on compliance costs for operators.