Article 17
1
Member States shall ensure that seed potatoes which are placed on the market under the provisions of this Directive, whether mandatory or discretionary, are not subject to any marketing restrictions as regards their characteristics, examination requirements, marking and sealing other than those laid down in this or any other Directive.
2
The Commission, acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 25(2), shall, in respect of the marketing of seed potatoes in all or part of the territory of one or more Member States, authorise more stringent measures than those provided for in Annexes I and II to be taken against harmful organisms which do not exist in those regions or which appear particularly harmful to crops in those regions. Where there is imminent danger of the introduction or spread of such harmful organisms, and until such time as the Commission has given a final ruling on the matter, such measures may be taken by the Member State concerned as soon as its request has been submitted.