THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 2000/29/EC of 8 May 2000 on protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community(1), and in particular points (c) and (d) of the second paragraph of Article 14 thereof,
After consulting the Member States concerned,
Whereas:
(1) Directive 2000/29/EC provides for certain measures against the introduction into the Member States from other Member States or third countries of organisms which are harmful to plants or plant products. It also provides for certain zones to be designed as protection zones.
(2) Due to a clerical error in the 2003 Act of Accession, the list of counties in Sweden recognised as a protected zone in respect of Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say was incorrect and needs to be rectified.
(3) From information supplied by Denmark, that Member State should no longer be recognised as a protected zone in respect of Beet necrotic yellow vein virus as it appears that that harmful organism is now established in Denmark.
(4) From information supplied by the United Kingdom, it appears that Dendroctonus micans Kugelan is now established in some parts of the United Kingdom. Accordingly, the protected zone in respect of Dendroctonus micans Kugelan should be restricted to Northern Ireland. In addition, the protected zone in respect of that organism should also be restricted to the Isle of Man and Jersey.
(5) From information supplied by Estonia, it appears that Erwinia amylovora (Burr.) Winsl. et al. is not present in that Member State. Estonia may therefore be recognised as a protected zone for that organism.
(6) From information supplied by Italy and from additional information collected by the Food and Veterinary Office during a mission in Italy in May 2004, it appears that Citrus tristeza virus is now established in that Member State. Italy should therefore no longer be recognised as a protected zone in respect of Citrus tristeza virus.
(7) From the Swiss legislation on plant protection, it appears that the Canton of Ticino is no longer recognised as a protected zone for Erwinia amylovora (Burr.) Winsl. et al. in Switzerland. The rules on imports to the Community should be adjusted to remove special treatment given to plants originating in Ticino.
(8) Due to a clerical error in the preparation of Commission Directive 2004/31/EC(2), the special requirements for the introduction and movement of Vitis plants in Cyprus as laid down in point 21.1 of Part B of Annex IV to Directive 2000/29/EC were erroneously deleted. Accordingly, that Annex should be amended.
(9) In order to enhance the phytosanitary protection of the Community seeds of Medicago sativa L. and the Community certified seeds of Helianthus annuus L., Lycopersicon lycopersicum (L.) Karsten ex Farw. and Phaseolus L., those seeds need to be accompanied by a plant passport when moving, other than locally, within the Community.
(10) The relevant Annexes to Directive 2000/29/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.
(11) The measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plant Health,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
OJ L 169, 10.7.2000, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Commission Directive 2004/102/EC (OJ L 309, 6.10.2004, p. 9).