Article 1Decision 2003/61/EC is amended as follows: Article 1(2)(c) is replaced...
Article 2This Decision is addressed to the Hellenic Republic, the Kingdom...

Commission Decision

of 26 November 2008

amending Decision 2003/61/EC authorising certain Member States to provide for temporary derogations from certain provisions of Council Directive 2000/29/EC in respect of seed potatoes originating in certain provinces of Canada

(notified under document number C(2008) 7317)

(Only the Greek, Spanish, Italian, Maltese and Portuguese texts are authentic)

(2008/891/EC)

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 Community1, and in particular Article 15(1) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

Pursuant to Directive 2000/29/EC, seed potatoes originating in Canada may not be introduced into the Community. However, that Directive permits derogations from that rule, provided there is no risk of spreading harmful organisms.

(2)
Commission Decision 2003/61/EC2, provides for a derogation for the importation of seed potatoes originating in certain provinces of Canada into Greece, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Malta and Portugal subject to specific conditions.
(3)

Portugal has asked for an extension of that derogation.

(4)

The situation justifying that derogation remains unchanged and the derogations should therefore continue to apply.

(5)

Decision 2003/61/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.

(6)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plant Health,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: