1.Trials, or, where appropriate, tests shall be carried out in the Member States on samples to check that vegetable propagating and planting material complies with the requirements and conditions of this Directive, including those relating to plant health. The Commission may organise inspections of the trials by representatives of the Member States and of the Commission.
2.Community comparative tests and trials may be carried out within the Community for the post-control of samples of vegetable propagating and planting material placed on the market under the provisions of this Directive whether mandatory or discretionary, including those relating to plant health. The comparative tests and trials may include the following:
vegetable propagating and planting material produced in third countries,
vegetable propagating and planting material suitable for organic farming,
vegetable propagating and planting material marketed in relation to measures aimed at preserving genetic diversity.
3.Those comparative tests and trials shall be used to harmonise the technical methods of examination of vegetable propagating and planting material and to check satisfaction of the conditions with which the material must comply.
4.In accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 21(2), the necessary arrangements shall be made for the comparative tests and trials to be carried out. The Commission shall inform the Committee referred to in Article 21(1) about the technical arrangements for holding those tests and trials and the results thereof. When plant health problems occur, the Commission shall notify the Standing Committee on Plant Health.
5.The Community may make a financial contribution to the performance of the comparative tests and trials provided for in paragraphs 2 and 3.
The financial contribution shall not exceed the annual appropriations decided by the budgetary authority.
6.The comparative tests and trials which may benefit from a Community financial contribution, and detailed rules for the provision of the financial contribution, shall be established in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 21(2).
7.The comparative tests and trials provided for in paragraphs 2 and 3 may be performed only by State authorities or legal persons acting under the responsibility of the State.