Commission Implementing Directive (EU) 2018/1027

of 19 July 2018

amending Council Directive 66/402/EEC as regards isolation distances for Sorghum spp.

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Directive 66/402/EEC of 14 June 1966 on the marketing of cereal seed1, and in particular Article 21a thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

The conditions for seed production provided for in Directive 66/402/EEC are based on the international standards established by the Seed Scheme of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

(2)

At the 2017 Annual Meeting of the OECD on Seed Schemes, the standard for isolation distances for the cultivation of Sorghum spp. was amended especially to take into account areas where the presence of S. halepense or S. sudanense is a particular cross-pollination issue.

(3)

Directive 66/402/EEC should therefore be amended accordingly.

(4)

The measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: