Meeting held on 20 July 2005
D/510686

Chairman: Mr Bernard Van Goethem

All the Member States were present, except Malta. Norway, Island and Bulgaria participated as observers.

1. Discussion and possible opinion on a draft Commission Decision concerning the provisional prohibition in Greece of the marketing of seeds of maize hybrids with the genetic modification MON 810 inscribed in the Common Catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species, pursuant to Directive 2002/53/EC (doc. SANCO/1727/2005)
   
   The Commission services presented the draft Commission Decision. On 7 April 2005 the Greek authorities asked the Commission to authorise the national ban they have taken on the basis of Article 18 of Directive 2002/53/EC for 2005 and 2006 as regards the marketing of seeds of seventeen maize hybrids with the genetic modification MON 810 inscribed in the Common Catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species. On the basis of the elements provided, it appears that none of the specific provisions of Article 18 of the said Directive are applicable and that an authorisation for a prohibition may not be granted. The draft Decision provides that Greece is not authorised to prohibit the marketing of the above mentioned seeds.
   
   Greece presented its request and a short discussion took place.
   
   The vote was taken and no favourable opinion was given: 169 votes in favour (11 Member States), 109 votes against (9 Member States) and 47 votes abstaining (4 Member States). One Member State was not represented (3 votes).
   
   By consequence, the Commission will submit the measure to the Council.
    
2. Discussion and possible opinion on a draft Commission Decision authorising the Republic of Poland to prohibit on its territory the use of sixteen genetically modified varieties of maize with genetic modification MON 810 inscribed in the Common Catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species and not authorising it as regards another genetically modified variety, pursuant to Directive 2002/53/EC (doc. SANCO/1730/2005)
   
   The draft Commission Decision was not presented to the Member States as in the meantime Poland has submitted an additional request for authorisation of prohibition to the Commission, extending the previous request to conventional maize varieties. Poland was given the opportunity to present its new request which concerns conventional maize varieties inscribed in the Common catalogue of agricultural plant species, having a maturity class above 350. Poland clarified that the old request remains and is complemented by this new one. The Commission will now examine this new request, if necessary revise its draft Decision and present appropriate measures to the Member States in a forthcoming Standing Committee.

Bernard Van Goethem
Acting Director

NB. The measures on which the Committee has given an opinion are subject to the appropriate procedures for final approval.

Origianl document in PDF format: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/rc/scsp/rap68_en.pdf