THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Articles 43 and 100 thereof;

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission;

Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament;

Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee;

Whereas it is appropriate, for the reasons set out below, to amend certain provisions of the Council Directives of 14 June 1966, as last amended by the Directive of 30 March 1971, ( 1 ) on the marketing of beet seed, ( 2 ) on the marketing of fodder plant seed, ( 3 ) on the marketing of cereal seed ( 4 ) and on the marketing of seed potatoes, ( 5 ) the Council Directive of 30 June 1969 ( 6 ) on the marketing of seed of oil and fibre plants, as amended by the Directive of 30 March 1971, the Council Directive of 29 September 1970 ( 7 ) on the marketing of vegetable seed, as amended by the Directive of 30 March 1971, and the Council Directive of 29 September 1970 ( 8 ) on the common catalogue of varieties of agricultural species;

Whereas several of the abovementioned Directives provide that as from 1 July 1972, the equivalence of seeds and young plants harvested in third countries may no longer be determined by the Member States individually; whereas, since it has not been possible in all cases to complete the examinations relating to the Community determination of equivalence, the abovementioned time-limit should be extended in order to avoid disturbing present trade relations;

Whereas the Directives on the marketing of seeds and young plants approve only products originating in Member States and satisfying the requirements of those Directives or products originating in third countries and recognized as equivalent to Community products;

Whereas it must also be possible to market products originating in countries acceding to the Community but do not put those Directives into effect immediately on entry, whereas it is therefore necessary to make appropriate provisions;

HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

(a) the provisions of Article 1, with effect from 1 July 1972,

(b) the provisions of Article 2, not later than 1 January 1973.