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Council Directive 2002/55/EC of 13 June 2002 on the marketing of vegetable
seed recognises that the production of healthy, high-quality vegetables depends
to a large extent on the seed used for the cultivation of vegetable plants and
sets up a scheme to enhance the quality of Community vegetable produce. It
stipulates that vegetable seed of registered varieties may only be marketed if
it has been officially examined and certified (or in some cases checked as a
seed of a category not officially certified). In order to be so certified, seed
must pass the stringent requirements laid down in the Directive. In addition to
requirements for the quality of seed, the Directive also lays down provisions
for ensuring the identity via rules on packaging, sampling, sealing and
marking. It should be noted that several countries have been exempted from
applying the Directive in respect of certain vegetable species and that a
Community legislation has been in place since 1970 (former Council Directive
70/458/EEC; consolidated through Council Directive 2002/55/EC on the marketing
of vegetable seed). In recognition of the fact that vegetable planting
material, as well as seeds, may be used to propagate vegetables, Council
Directive 2008/72/EEC on the marketing of vegetable propagating material,
other than seed set up a scheme to establish harmonised conditions at Community
level to ensure that purchasers throughout the Community also receive vegetable
propagating and planting material which is healthy and of good quality. The
Directive stipulates that such material may only be marketed if it meets the
conditions set out in technical schedules. These concern quality and purity of
the crop, varietal characteristics, the propagation system applied, and in
order to ensure that identity, provisions relating to labelling, sealing,
packaging and documentation. Suppliers are responsible in the first instance
for ensuring that material meets the requirements of the Directive and
vegetable propagating and planting material may only be marketed by suppliers
accredited by the responsible official body of the Member State.
For vegetable seeds and propagating material other than seed to be marketed
throughout the Community, vegetable varieties must be listed in the Common
Catalogue. This is compiled on the basis of the National Catalogues of Member
States, which are drawn up in accordance with uniform rules so that varieties
are only accepted if they are distinct, stable and sufficiently uniform.
Both Council Directive 2002/55/EC on the marketing of vegetable seed and
Council Directive 2008/72/EEC on the marketing of vegetable propagating material
other than seed allow the marketing within the Community of material produced
in countries outside the Community provided that it affords the same assurances
as material produced within the Community, complying with the standards laid
down in the two Directives.
Where appropriate, the Commission is assisted by Member States in adopting
measures related to Council Directive 2008/72/EEC and Council Directive
2002/55/EC through the Standing Committee on Seeds and Propagating Material for
Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry.
 Legislation
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