First Commission Directive 78/386/EEC of 18 April 1978 amending the Annexes to Directive 66/401/EEC on the marketing of fodder plant seed
Consolidated TEXT: 31978L0386 — EN — 28.04.1982

FIRST COMMISSION DIRECTIVE

of 18 April 1978

amending the Annexes to Directive 66/401/EEC on the marketing of fodder plant seed

(78/386/EEC)



THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 66/401/EEC of 14 June 1966 on the marketing of fodder plant seed ( 1 ), as last amended by Directive 78/55/EEC ( 2 ), and in particular Article 21a thereof,

Whereas, in the light of the development of scientific and technical knowledge, Annexes I, II and III to the Directive should be amended for the set reasons out below;

Whereas, in order to improve the genetic value of seeds, provision should be made for varietal purity standards which the crop must satisfy in the case of certain spiecies;

Whereas in this respect, in the case of self-fertilized species and of apomictic uniclonal varieties of Poa spp., provision should be made for varietal purity standards which the seeds must satisfy;

Whereas provision should be made for conditions to be satisfied by the crop as regards the presence of harmful organisms which reduce the usefulness of the seed;

Whereas special standards should be set in respect of the maximum content of further undesiderable or noxious seeds as Agropyron repens, Avena ludoviciana, Avena sterilis, Melilotus spp., Sinapis arvensis, Raphanus raphanistrum or Rumex species other than Rumex acetosella, Rumex crispus and Rumex obtusifolius;

Whereas standards in respect of minimum germination capacity and of minimum analytical purity should be adapted in the light of the development of the seed quality normally achieved;

Whereas, in order to satisfy the conditions for official examination of seed carried out in accordance with current international methods, it is necessary to revise certain provisions;

Whereas the measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Seeds and Propagating Material for Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:



Article 1

Directive 66/401/EEC is hereby amended as follows:

1. Annex I shall read as follows:




‘ANNEX I

CONDITIONS TO BE SATISFIED BY THE CROP

1.

The previous cropping of the field shall not have been incompatible with the production of seeds of the species and variety of the crop, and the field shall be sufficiently free from such plants which are volunteers from previous cropping.

2.

The crop shall conform to the following standards as regards distances from neighbouring sources of pollen which may result in undesiderable foreign pollination:



Crop

Minimum distance

1

2

Brassica spp.:

—  for the production of basic seed

400 m

—  for the production of certified seed

200 m

Species or varieties other than Brassica spp., Pisum arvense, apomictic uni-clonal varieties of Poa spp.:

—  for the production of seed intended for multiplication, fields up to two hectares

200 m

—  for the production of seed intended for multiplication, fields over two hectares

100 m

—  for the production of seed intended for the production of fodder plants, fields up to two hectares

100 m

—  for the production of seed intended for the production of fodder plants, fields over two hectares

50 m

These distances can be disregarded if there is sufficient protection from any undesiderable foreign pollination.

3.

Plants of other species, the seeds of which are difficult to distinguish from the crop seeds in a laboratory test, shall be at a low level.

In particular, crops of lolium species shall conform to the following conditions: the number of plants of a lolium species other than the crop species shall not exceed:

 one per 50 m2 for the production of basic seed,

 one per 10 m2 for the production of certified seed.

4.

The crop shall have sufficient varietal identity and varietal purity. In particular, crops of the species or varieties other than Pisum arvense or apomictic uni-clonalvarieties of Poa spp. shall conform to the following standards: the number of plants of the crop species which are recognizable as obviously not being true to the variety shall not exceed:

 one per 30 m2 for the production of basic seed,

 one per 10 m2 for the production of certified seed.

5.

Harmful organisms which reduce the usefulness of the seed shall be at the lowest possible level.

6.

The satisfaction of the abovementioned standards or other conditions shall be examined in official field inspections.

These field inspections shall be carried out in accordance with the following conditions:

A. The condition and the stage of development of the crop shall permit an adequate examination.

B. There shall be at least one field inspection.

C. The size, the number and the distribution of the portions of the field to be inspected in order to examine the satisfaction of the provisions of this Annex shall be determined in accordance with appropriate methods.’

2. Annex II shall read as follows:




‘ANNEX II

CONDITIONS TO BE SATISFIED BY THE SEED

I.   CERTIFIED SEED

1.

The seed shall have sufficient varietal identity and purity. In particular, the seed of Pisum arvense and of apomictic uni-clonal varieties of Poa spp. shall conform to the following standards or other conditions: the minimum varietal purity shall be of 98%.

The minimum varietal purity shall be examined mainly in field inspections carried out in accordance with the conditions laid down in Annex I.

2.

The seed shall conform to the following standards or other conditions as regards germination, analytical purity and content of seeds of other plant species, including Lupin seeds of another colour and of bitter Lupin seeds:

A. Table:


B. Standards or other conditions applicable where reference is made to them in the table under Section I (2) (A) of this Annex:

(a) All fresh and healthy seeds which do not germinate after pre-treatment shall be regarded as seeds which have germinated.

(b) Up to the maximum quantity indicated, hard seed present shall be regarded as seed capable of germination.

(c) A maximum total of 0·8% by weight of seeds of other Poa species shall not be regarded as an impurity.

(d) A maximum of 1% by weight of seeds of Trifolium pratense shall not be regarded as an impurity.

(e) A maximum total of 0·5% by weight of seeds of Lupinus albus, Lupinus angustifolius, Lupinus luteus, Pisum arvense, Vicia faba spp., Vicia pannonica, Vicia sativa, Vicia villosa in an other relevant species shall not be regarded as an impurity.

(f) The prescribed maximum percentage by weight of seeds of a single species shall not apply to seeds of Poa spp.

(g) A maximum total of two seeds of Avena fatua, Avena ludoviciana, Avena sterilis in a sample of the prescribed weight shall not be regarded as an impurity where a second sample of the same weight is free from any seeds of these species.

(h) The presence of one seed of Avena fatua, Avena ludoviciana, Avena sterilis in a sample of the prescribed weight shall not be regarded as an impurity where a second sample of twice the prescribed weight is free from any seeds of these species.

(i) The determination of seeds of Avena fatua, Avena ludoviciana, Avena sterilis by number need not be carried out unless there is doubt whether the conditions laid down in column 12 have been satisfied.

(j) The determination of seeds of Cuscuta spp. by number need not be carried out unless there is doubt whether the conditions laid down in column 13 have been satisfied.

(k) The presence of one seed of Cuscuta spp. in a sample of the prescribed weight shall not be regarded as an impurity where a second sample of the same weight is free from any seeds of Cuscuta spp.

(l) The weight of the sample for the determination of seeds of Cuscuta spp. by number shall be twice the weight specified in column 4 of Annex III for the relevant species.

(m) The presence of one seed of Cuscuta spp. in a sample of the prescribed weight shall not be regarded as an impurity where a second sample of twice the prescribed weight is free from any seeds of Cuscuta spp.

(n) The determination of seeds of Rumex spp. other than Rumex acetosella by number need not be carried out unless there is doubt whether the conditions laid down in column 14 have been satisfied.

(o) The percentage by number of Lupin seeds of another colour shall not exceed:



—  in bitter Lupin,

2%,

—  in Lupins other than bitter Lupin,

1%.

(p) The percentage by number of bitter Lupin seeds in varieties other than bitter Lupin shall not exceed:



—  for certified seed of first generation, after basic seed,

3%,

—  for certified seed of subsequent generations, after basic seed,

5%.

3.

Harmful organisms which reduce the usefulness of the seed shall be at the lowest possible level.

II.   BASIC SEED

Subject to the provisions below, the conditions laid down in Section I of this Annex shall apply to basic seed:

1.

The seed of Pisum arvense and of apomictic uni-clonal varieties of Poa spp. shall conform to the following standards or other conditions: the minimum varietal purity shall be of 99·7%.

The minimum varietal purity shall be examined mainly in field inspections carried out in accordance with the conditions laid down in Annex I.

2.

The seed shall satisfy the following standards or other conditions:

A. Table:



Species

Maximum content of seed of other plant species

Other standards or conditions

Total

(% by weight)

Content by number in a sample of the weight specified in column 4 of Annex III

(total per column)

 

 

 

 

 

 

A single species

Rumex spp. other than Rumex acetosella

Agropyron repens

Alopecurus myosuroides

Melilotus spp.

 

 

 

 

 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

GRAMINEAE

Agrostis canina ssp. canina

0·3

20

 

 

1

1

1

 

 

(j)

Agrostis gigantea

0·3

20

 

 

1

1

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

Agrostis stolonifera

0·3

20

 

 

1

1

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

Agrostis tenuis

0·3

20

 

 

1

1

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

Alopecurus pratensis

0·3

20 (a)

 

 

5

5

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

Arrhenatherum elatius

0·3

20 (a)

 

 

5

5

5

 

 

 

 

 

(i)

(j)

 

Dactylis glomerata

0·3

20 (a)

 

 

5

5

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

Festuca arundinacea

0·3

20 (a)

 

 

5

5

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

Festuca ovina

0·3

20 (a)

 

 

5

5

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

Festuca pratensis

0·3

20 (a)

 

 

5

5

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

Festuca rubra

0·3

20 (a)

 

 

5

5

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

Lolium multiflorum

0·3

20 (a)

 

 

5

5

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

Lolium perenne

0·3

20 (a)

 

 

5

5

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

Lolium X hybridum

0·3

20 (a)

 

 

5

5

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

Phleum bertolonii

0·3

20

 

 

2

1

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

Phleum pratense

0·3

20

 

 

2

1

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

Poa annua

0·3

20

(b)

 

1

1

1

 

 

(f)

 

 

 

(j)

 

Poa nemoralis

0·3

20

(b)

 

1

1

1

 

 

(f)

 

 

 

(j)

 

Poa palustris

0·3

20

(b)

 

1

1

1

 

 

(f)

 

 

 

(j)

 

Poa pratensis

0·3

20

(b)

 

1

1

1

 

 

(f)

 

 

 

(j)

 

Poa trivialis

0·3

20

(b)

 

1

1

1

 

 

(f)

 

 

 

(j)

 

Trisetum flavescens

0·3

20

 

(c)

1

1

1

 

 

 

 

 

(i)

(j)

 

LEGUMINOSAE

Hedysarum coronarium

0·3

20

 

 

5

 

 

0

(e)

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

Lotus corniculatus

0·3

20

 

 

5

 

 

0

(e)

 

(g)

 

 

(j)

 

Lupinus albus

0·3

20

 

 

5

 

 

0 (d)

 

 

 

(h)

 

 

(k)

Lupinus angustifolius

0·3

20

 

 

5

 

 

0 (d)

 

 

 

(h)

 

 

(k)

Lupinus luteus

0·3

20

 

 

5

 

 

0 (d)

 

 

 

(h)

 

 

(k)

Medicago lupulina

0·3

20

 

 

5

 

 

0

(e)

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

Medicago sativa

0·3

20

 

 

5

 

 

0

(e)

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

Medicago varia

0·3

20

 

 

5

 

 

0

(e)

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

Onobrychis sativa

0·3

20

 

 

5

 

 

0 (d)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pisum arvense

0·3

20

 

 

5

 

 

0 (d)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trifolium alexandrinum

0·3

20

 

 

5

 

 

0

(e)

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

Trifolium hybridum

0·3

20

 

 

5

 

 

0

(e)

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

Trifolium incarnatum

0·3

20

 

 

5

 

 

0

(e)

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

Trifolium pratense

0·3

20

 

 

5

 

 

0

(e)

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

Trifolium repens

0·3

20

 

 

5

 

 

0

(e)

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

Trifolium resupinatum

0·3

20

 

 

5

 

 

0

(e)

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

Trigonella foenumgraecum

0·3

20

 

 

5

 

 

0 (d)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vicia faba ssp. var. equina

0·3

20

 

 

5

 

 

0 (d)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vicia faba var. minor

0·3

20

 

 

5

 

 

0 (d)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vicia pannonica

0·3

20

 

 

5

 

 

0 (d)

 

 

 

(h)

 

 

 

Vicia sativa

0·3

20

 

 

5

 

 

0 (d)

 

 

 

(h)

 

 

 

Vicia villosa

0·3

20

 

 

5

 

 

0 (d)

 

 

 

(h)

 

 

 

OTHER SPECIES

Brassica napus var. napobrassica

0·3

20

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

Brassica oleracea convar. acephala

0·3

20

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

Raphanus sativus ssp. oleifera

0·3

20

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B. Standard or other conditions applicable where reference is made to them in the table under Section II (2) (A) of this Annex:

(a) A maximum total of 80 seeds of Poa spp. shall not be regarded as an impurity.

(b) The condition laid down in column 3 is not applicable to the seeds of Poa spp. The maximum total content of seeds of Poa spp. other than the species to be examined shall not exceed one in a sample of 500 seeds.

(c) A maximum total of 20 seeds of Poa spp. shall not be regarded as an impurity.

(d) The determination of seeds of Melilotus spp. by number need not be carried out unless there is doubt whether the conditions laid down in column 7 have been satisfied.

(e) The presence of one seed of Melilotus spp. in a sample of the prescribed weight shall not be regarded as an impurity where a second sample of twice the prescribed weight is free from any seeds of Melilotus spp.

(f) The condition (c) laid down in Section I (2) of this Annex is not applicable.

(g) The condition (d) laid down in Section I (2) of this Annex is not applicable.

(h) The condition (e) laid down in Section I (2) of this Annex is not applicable.

(i) The condition (f) laid down in Section I (2) of this Annex is not applicable.

(j) The conditions (k) and (m) laid down in Section I (2) of this Annex are not applicable.

(k) The percentage by number of bitter Lupin seeds in varieties other than bitter Lupin shall not exceed 1%.

III.   COMMERCIAL SEED

Subject to the provisions below, the conditions laid down in Section I (2) and (3) of this Annex shall apply to commercial seed:

1.

The percentages by weight laid down in columns 5 and 6 of the table under Section I (2) (A) of this Annex are increased by 1%.

2.

In Poa annua a maximum total of 10% by weight of seeds of other Poa species shall not be regarded as an impurity.

3.

In Poa spp. other than Poa annua a maximum total of 3% by weight of seeds of other Poa species shall not be regarded as an impurity.

4.

In Hedisarum coronarium a maximum total of 1% by weight of seeds of Melilotus spp. shall not be regarded as an impurity.

5.

The condition (d) laid down in Section I (2) of this Annex for Lotus corniculatus is not applicable.

6.

In Lupin species:



(a)the minimum analytical purity shall be 97% by weight;

(b)the percentage by number of Lupin seeds of another colour shall not exceed:

—  in bitter Lupin,

4%,

—  in Lupins other than bitter Lupin,

2%;

(c)the percentage by number of bitter Lupin seeds in Lupin other than bitter Lupin shall not exceed

5%.

7.

In Vicia spp. a maximum total of 6 % by weight of seeds of Vicia pannonica, Vicia villiosa or related cultivated species in another relevant species shall be not regarded as an impurity.

8.

In Vicia pannonica, Vicia sativa, Vicia villosa the minimum analytical purity shall be 97% by the weight.’

3. Annex III shall read as follows:




‘ANNEX III

LOT AND SAMPLE WEIGHTS



Species

Maximum weight of a lot

(tonnes)

Minimum weight of a sample to be drawn from a lot

(grams)

Weight of the sample for the determinations by number provided for in columns 12 to 14 of Annex II (I) (2)(A) and columns 3 to 7 of Annex II (II) (2) (A)

(grams)

1

2

3

4

GRAMINEAE

Agrostis canina ssp. canina

10

50

5

Agrostis gigantea

10

50

5

Agrostis stolonifera

10

50

5

Agrostis tenuis

10

50

5

Alopecurus pratensis

10

100

30

Arrhenatherum elatius

10

200

80

Dactylis glomerata

10

100

30

Festuca arundinacea

10

100

50

Festuca ovina

10

100

30

Festuca pratensis

10

100

50

Festuca rubra

10

100

30

Lolium multiflorum

10

200

60

Lolium perenne

10

200

60

Lolium X hybridum

10

200

60

Phleum bertolonii

10

50

10

Phleum pratense

10

50

10

Poa annua

10

50

10

Poa nemoralis

10

50

5

Poa palustris

10

50

5

Poa pratensis

10

50

5

Poa trivialis

10

50

5

Trisetum flavescens

10

50

5

LEGUMINOSAE

Hedysarum coronarium

 

 

 

—  fruit

10

1 000

300

—  seed

10

400

120

Lotus corniculatus

10

200

30

Lupinus albus

20

1 000

1 000

Lupinus angustifolius

20

1 000

1 000

Lupinus luteus

20

1 000

1 000

Medicago lupulina

10

300

50

Medicago sativa

10

300

50

Medicago varia

10

300

50

Onobrychis sativa

 

 

 

—  fruit

10

600

600

—  seed

10

400

400

Pisum arvense

20

1 000

1 000

Trifolium alexandrinum

10

400

60

Trifolium hybridum

10

200

20

Trifolium incarnatum

10

500

80

Trifolium pratense

10

300

50

Trifolium repens

10

200

20

Trifolium resupinatum

10

200

20

Trigonella foenumgraecum

10

500

450

Vicia faba ssp. var. equina

20

1 000

1 000

Vicia faba var. minor

20

1 000

1 000

Vicia pannonica

20

1 000

1 000

Vicia sativa

20

1 000

1 000

Vicia villosa

20

1 000

1 000

OTHER SPECIES

Brassica napus var. napobrassica

10

200

100

Brassica oleracea convar. acephala

10

200

100

Raphanus sativus ssp. oleifera

10

300

300

Article 2

1.  Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations or administrative provisions necessary to comply with:

 the provisions of Article 1 (1) in respect of Annex I (3) and (4) on 1 January 1981;

 the provisions of Article 1 (2) in respect of Annex II (I) (1) and Annex II (II) (1)  on a date to be determined at a later stage;

 the other provisions of this Directive, not later than 1 July 1980.

2.  Member States shall ensure that fodder plant seed is subject to no marketing restrictions due to the different dates of implementation of this Directive, in accordance with the second indent of paragraph 1.

Article 3

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.



( 1 ) OJ No 125, 11. 7. 1966, p. 2298/66.

( 2 ) OJ No L 16, 20. 1. 1978, p. 23.