title: 1999/6/EC: Commission Decision of 14 December 1998 relating to a proceeding under Article 85 of the EC Treaty (IV/35.280 - Sicasov) (notified under document number C(1998) 3452) (Only the French text is authentic)

eurovoc_concepts:
agricultural cooperative
agro-industry
marketing
patent law
plant propagation
trade licence

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text: 8. 1. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 4/27 II (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 14 December 1998 relating to a proceeding under Article 85 of the EC Treaty (IV/35. 280 — Sicasov) (notified under document number C(1998) 3452) (Only the French text is authentic) (1999/6/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Whereas: Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Regulation No 17 of 6 February 1962, First Regulation implementing Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty (1), as last amended by the Act of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden, and in particular Articles 2, 4 and 8 thereof, (a) Sicasov I. THE FACTS A. THE UNDERTAKINGS Having regard to the request for negative clearance and the notification submitted on 26 October 1994 by Sicasov (Soci(cid:130)t(cid:130) coop(cid:130)rative d’int(cid:130)r(cid:136)t collectif agricole anonyme a capital variable) Paris, France in respect of standard licensing agreements for the production and sale of seeds, Having regard to the summary of that notification, published (2) pursuant to Article 19(3) of Regulation No 17, Having consulted the Advisory Committee on Restrictive Practices and Dominant Positions, (1) OJ 13, 21. 2. 1962, p. 204/62. (2) OJ C 95, 19. 4. 1995, p. 8. (1) Sicasov groups together the breeders of plant vari- eties protected in France. No member of Sicasov may hold more than 10 % of the share capital or 10 % of the voting rights. Sicasov’s objects are as follows: — to take over, under an exclusive or non- exclusive licence, the plant varieties entrusted to it by its members, and all incorporeal rights relating to agriculture and the agri-foodstuffs industry, — to make new or improved plant material avail- able, under the best technical and economic conditions, to farmers and the agri-foodstuffs industry, — to grant licences or allowing breeders’ plant varieties to be produced, multi- plied and marketed under its supervision, sub-licences L 4/28 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 8. 1. 1999 — to ensure that varieties are maintained (that is, to attend to the protection of technical material of generation preceding intended for sale to the end user) and take the necessary steps to avoid a shortage, generations the — to arrange for joint research to be carried out into the new genetic material, — to encourage plant breeding and to promote and attend to the dissemination of plant material. (2) In particular, Sicasov’s role is to manage plant vari- eties entrusted to it by breeders (or their assignees). Accordingly, breeders their assignees) may (or either: (a) give Sicasov the right to grant non-exclusive multiplication and sales licences; or (b) give Sicasov an exclusive production and sales concession allowing Sicasov to grant non- exclusive multiplication and sales sub-licences. (6) The agreements between breeders and Sicasov are outside the scope of this Decision. Managing breeders’ plant varieties entails in partic- ular concluding seed-production and sales contracts with multipliers under which Sicasov receives fees to the breeders after which it then transfers deducting its administration costs. these It contracts, which have been notified, which are the subject of this Decision (see points 37 to 42). is Until 1993 the management of plant varieties in France was entrusted to Sicasov and to the Caisse de gestion des v(cid:130)g(cid:130)tales, hereinafter referred to as ‘CGLV'. licences On 1 January 1994 Sicasov took over CGLV in a full merger and is now the only company in France which manages breeders’ rights; former Sicasov and CGLV members are now all members of Sicasov. Sicasov manages, on behalf of numerous French and foreign plant breeders, about 2 600 varieties belonging to about 50 genera. Practically every plant variety that can be produced under contract is produced via Sicasov. The management group concludes a total of about 9 500 licensing contracts each year with about 6 000 French and 2 500 foreign firms. (3) (4) (b) Plant breeders (5) Plant breeders are entities, whether private or public, that conduct research aimed at creating new plant varieties able to meet the criteria giving en- titlement to plant variety rights. in the first instance, of Plant breeders consist, family firms, which have a long-standing tradition of plant-breeding and vary considerably in size, and of a number of agricultural cooperatives. Secondly, there are large firms which, in recent years, have activities become involved in plant-breeding (particularly, undertakings which were already present in the chemicals sector). Finally, mention should also be made of public bodies carrying out agricultural research (such as the Institut national des recherches agronomiques, hereinafter ‘INRA', schools of agronomy and universities), both in France and elsewhere. Each plant breeder has a ‘portfolio' of several vari- eties, one or more of which can be very competitive indeed. New varieties can be multiplied by the breeders themselves but, since the latter are very often unable to keep pace with demand, they entrust multiplication to a multiplying firm (see point 7) in order to obtain sufficient quantities of seeds which will be sold to farmers for their annual sowings. Being a plant breeder entails certain rights and obligations, which will be examined at points 11 to 36. (c) Multipliers (7) (8) Seed production is carried out by multipliers, known also as seed producers (hereinafter referred to as ‘multipliers'). They must hold a permit to carry on the business, and before they can produce certified seed they must undergo inspection by administrative bodies established for that purpose (see point 32). For multiplication of a new variety they must apply to Sicasov for a licence in respect of that variety. There are currently about 6 000 multipliers in France. Multipliers frequently have access to a network of farmers who are given seeds for multiplication. The seed produced is then purchased by the multiplier, who undertakes certification and sale. The relation- ship between multiplier and multiplying farmer is governed by a standard contract drawn up by the Service officiel de contr(cid:147)le (hereinafter ‘SOC') and approved by the Ministry of Agriculture. 8. 1. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 4/29 (9) These multiplying farmers must not be confused with farmers who use seed for the purpose of sowing rather than for obtaining additional seed, and who are thus comparable with end-users. B. THE PRODUCTS (10) The products relevant to this Decision are seeds and seedlings belonging to the following species or fodder plants, high- groups of species: cereals, protein products, maize, sorghum, vegetables, oil and fibre plants, and potatoes. For the purposes of this case, seed and seedlings will be jointly referred to as ‘seed'. C. THE PROTECTION AFFORDED BY PLANT- BREEDING LAW (a) Community provisions (11) Most Member States have schemes which give legal protection to plant varieties. These schemes have not, however, been harmonised at Community level and continue to be governed by national laws. (b) French provisions (14) In France the guiding principles for legal protec- tion of new plant varieties are those of the Inter- national Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (‘the UPOV Convention'), signed in Paris on 2 December 1961. Law No 70-489 of 11 June 1970 provides that any new, uniform and stable plant variety may be the subject of a ‘new variety certificate' (certificat d’ob- tention v(cid:130)g(cid:130)tale), which confers on its holder the exclusive right to produce, to bring into France, to sell or offer for sale any material for the reproduc- tion or vegetative propagation of the variety in question. (15) The Law states that the exclusive right is to last 20 years from the date of issue of the certificate, or 25 years if the species takes a long time to form its reproductive material. Decree No 71-75 of 9 September 1971 lists the species for which the right lasts, variously, for 20 or 25 years. (16) On the subject of ownership and transfer of new plant rights, the Law refers to the rules generally applicable to patents. New plant rights (both prop- erty and usufruct) can therefore be transferred as freely as those of patent holders. On 27 July 1994, in the light of that situation, the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 2100/94 on Community plant-variety rights (3), as amended by Regulation (EC) No 2506/95 (4). The system is without prejudice to the right of Member States to grant national property rights for plant varieties (subject to a ban on cumulative protection). Since 1 April 1995 it has been possible to file applications for Community plant-variety rights. D. THE REGULATION OF SEED PRODUCTION AND MARKETING (17) In France, seed production, inspection and certi- fication are covered by detailed rules which corre- spond to the requirements laid down by the Community. (12) In order to be eligible for Community plant-variety rights, varieties must be distinct, uniform, stable and new. Holders have exclusive rights in respect (a) production or reproduction of the following: (multiplication); (b) conditioning for the purpose of propagation; (c) offering for sale; (d) selling or other marketing; (e) exporting from the Community; (f) importing into the Community; (g) stocking for any of the purposes referred to in (a) to (f). (18) (13) Community plant-variety rights last 25 years (30 years in the case of vines and trees). (3) OJ L 227, 1. 9. 1994, p. 1. (4) OJ L 258, 28. 10. 1995, p. 3. (a) Community provisions supervision of the Several Community directives provide for the production and detailed marketing of seed within the Community in order to ensure their free movement. The directives are aimed at making the cultivation of the various plant species more productive by requiring that, when choosing varieties that may be marketed, Member States apply rules that are uniform and as strict as possible. Accordingly, the directives estab- the lish a unified certification scheme for L 4/30 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 8. 1. 1999 its purpose being to guarantee, by Community, means of official monitoring, the identity and purity of varieties. It covers both sales on domestic markets and trade between the Member States. Seed cannot be marketed unless it has been officially examined and certified by agency a public belonging to one of the Member States. (19) Directives have thus far been adopted for the marketing of seed of the majority of plant species: cereals, beet, fodder plants, potatoes, oil and fibre plants, etc. In addition, Council Directive 70/457/EEC (5), as last amended by the Act of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden, introduced a common cata- logue of varieties of agricultural plant species. (20) The directives lay down, for each plant species, the conditions which seeds must satisfy in order to be marketed. In particular, they specify the minimum conditions of varietal purity and uniformity and the conditions under which they are to be grown. Moreover, Community rules have been introduced regarding packing, sampling, sealing and marking. (i) Basic and certified seed (21) On the basis of existing international terminology, the Community directives on seed marketing draw a distinction between ‘basic seed' and ‘certified seed'. (22) ‘Basic seed' is seed which: — has been produced under the responsibility of the breeder according to well-defined practices for the maintenance of the variety, (24) — is intended for the production of certified seed, — satisfies the conditions laid down by the directive as regards cultivation, uniformity and varietal purity, machinery. In this connection, however, it should be emphasised that from a legal point of view there is nothing to prevent a breeder from using basic seed for sowing or from selling it to farmers so that they can use it for sowing (or from allowing licence holders to do so). Such an occurrence will be extremely rare, however, given that basic seed is fairly valuable and that its use for sowing would therefore prove uneconomic. (23) ‘Certified seed' is seed which: — is of direct descent from basic seed, — is intended for purposes other than the produc- tion of seed (that is to say, intended for direct or indirect sale to farmers for sowing), — satisfies the conditions laid down by the Directive as regards cultivation, uniformity and varietal purity, — has been found by official examination to satisfy the abovementioned conditions. Certified seed cannot lawfully be used to produce seed of a later generation. Seed produced from certified seed cannot itself be certified and cannot, therefore, be marketed. Consequently, certified seed must be used only for sowing or for sale (direct or via cooperatives or the trade) to farmers, who in turn will use it for sowing. Certified seed is thus often referred to as ‘commercial seed' or ‘seed in free circulation' and is to some extent compar- able to a finished industrial product covered by a patent. The situation is, however, more complex in the case of certain species (such as oats, barley, rice, wheat and spelt) where, under Community direct- ives, both first-generation and second-generation certified seed are allowed. Community directives give the following definitions: — has been found by official examination to (a) ‘first-generation certified seed' is seed which: satisfy the abovementioned conditions. Thus basic seed is not seed intended for sale (whether direct or via cooperatives or the trade) to farmers, but seed intended solely for producing additional seed of a later generation. It can, as it were, be compared to intermediate industrial (5) OJ L 225, 12. 10. 1970, p. 1. — has been produced direct from basic seed, — is intended either for the production of for second-generation certified seed or purposes other than seed production (that is, for direct or indirect sale to farmers for sowing), 8. 1. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 4/31 — satisfies the conditions laid down by the directive as regards cultivation, uniformity and varietal purity, — has been found by official examination to satisfy the abovementioned conditions; (b) ‘second generation certified seed' is seed which: — has been produced direct from first genera- tion certified seed, — is intended for purposes other than seed production (that is, for direct or indirect sale to farmers for sowing), — satisfies the conditions laid down by the Directive, — has been found by official examination to satisfy the abovementioned conditions. are individual species for which some Member States authorise only the first generation whereas others authorise both first and second (and possibly later) generations. (27) Certified seed originating in a Member State providing for only one generation could thus be exported to Member States that allow two (or more) generations and be multiplied in one of those Member States. Such seed is often referred to in the trade as ‘technical seed'. However, this name does not appear in Community instruments but is used in practice to designate a specific group of seeds which could be referred to as follows: certified seed of a commercial nature only (that for producing other seed in the Member State of (to origin) which can be used as ‘basic seed' produce new certified seed) in the country of des- tination. is, not Certain directives allow even third-generation certi- fied seed. (ii) Common catalogue of varieties (25) Thus, first-generation certified seed can be used for two purposes, either: (a) production of other certi- fied seed; or (b) sowing. The first purpose is iden- tical to that served by the basic seed referred to at point 22 (thereby making first-generation certified seed comparable to intermediate machinery). The second purpose, however, is to provide commercial seed for crop production (by virtue of which the seed can be compared to a finished industrial product). It is above all for the breeder (or his licence holder) to decide for what purpose first- generation certified seed is to be used. However, a third party who has lawfully obtained such seed to (and who is authorised by national bodies operate as a multiplier) could also produce second- generation seed and have it certified by public bodies. (26) ensure Regarding the distinctions made in points 21 to 25 it should be pointed out that while the Community directives free movement within the Community of basic and certified seed which satis- fies their conditions, they do not oblige Member States to make provision in their legislation for two separate generations (first and second) of certified seed. Thus, even in cases where a number of generations are allowed, some Member States make provision for only one generation. As a result, there (28) Directive 70/457/EEC called for the drawing-up of a common catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species on the basis of the Member States’ national catalogues. Each Member State draws up one or more catalogues of the varieties officially approved for certification and marketing on its territory. (29) Seed of a variety which is accepted in the national catalogue may no longer be subject to any marketing restriction in other Member States: — with effect from 31 December of the second year following that in which the said varieties are entered in the national catalogue, or — when all the Member States have manifested to the Standing Committee on Seeds and Propa- gating Material their intention not to restrict the marketing of seeds of the variety entered in the said national catalogue. The Commission publishes in the Official Journal of the European Communities (under the title ‘Common catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species') a list of all varieties the seed of which are not subject to any marketing restriction. L 4/32 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 8. 1. 1999 (30) those provisions, seed of varieties By virtue of entered in the common catalogue may move freely between all Member States of the Community, even where the variety concerned is not recognised in the Member State of destination. On the other hand, in order to produce certified seed outside the Member State of first certification, the variety in question must be entered in the the Member State where national catalogue of production is the In other words, Community directive allows seed to be marketed, but not produced, throughout the Community. to begin. (b) French provisions (31) The general technical rules on seed production and marketing in France are to a large extent drawn from Community directives. In order to safeguard product quality these rules require very rigorous enforcement, thus imposing a substantial adminis- trative burden on the public authorities. The central role falls to SOC, which is an arm of the French Ministry of Agriculture and which is managed by the Groupement national interprofes- sionnel des semences (GNIS). (32) Certification is the outcome of a control procedure enabling the Service officiel de contr(cid:147)le to be sure that seed submitted to it meets minimum genetic or varietal purity requirements. Seeds can be certified only on the premises of multipliers, who must have been approved for the purpose beforehand. Certification is evidenced by attaching certificates, official labels or in some cases seals issued by the SOC to the packaging of certified seed. Approval for testing is granted by decision of the Minister for Agriculture, following a proposal from the SOC, for one or more species and, for each species, for one or several categories. (33) France’s general following categories of seeds: technical rules provide for the (a) Stock material The initial material (strains, clones or multipli- thanks to which the variety’s cation stock) maintenance can be resumed or continued each year. (b) Pre-basic seed) seed (generations predating basic Seed of a generation occurring between the stock material and basic seed. (c) Basic seed Seed produced according to accepted practices for the maintenance of the variety and normally intended for production of certified seed. (d) Certified seed Seed of direct descent from the multiplication of basic seed or, in some cases, at the breeder’s request and with the approval of the SOC, from pre-basic seed. Certified seed may be sub- divided into first-generation certified seed (R1) and second-generation certified seed (R2). the purposes of For the seed described at (a), (b) and (c) above will be collectively referred to as ‘basic seed' and that described at (d) will be referred to as ‘certified seed'. this Decision, (34) The stock material, pre-basic seed and basic seed are produced under the breeder, who is in charge of the production of his varieties. the responsibility of Special technical rules specify the conditions under which stock material, pre-basic seed, basic seed and certified seed are to be produced. In France most of the specific technical rules provide for only one generation of certified seed. (35) The situation is different in other Member States, where two or more generations of certified seed may be allowed (see point 26). French certified seed can, in such cases, be exported there and undergo multiplication (‘technical seed') — a procedure which would not be allowed in France. 8. 1. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 4/33 (36) Accordingly, certified seed can, under French rules, be ‘reclassified'. This consists in repacking first- generation seeds by changing the certificate or label, with the result it will no longer be that possible to use the seeds to produce other seeds in the Member State of destination. E. THE NOTIFIED AGREEMENTS (37) The notified agreements are standard contracts whereby Sicasov organises the production and sale of seed protected by plant variety rights which breeders have entrusted to its management. There are two types of agreement. (a) Where Sicasov acts as the breeder’s agent (see point 2(a)), it concludes an agreement with the multiplier known as a contrat de licence de production et de vente de mat(cid:130)riel de reproduc- tion ou de multiplication vegetative de vari(cid:130)t(cid:130) v(cid:130)g(cid:130)tale. (b) Where Sicasov acts as the breeder’s concessio- naire (see point 2(b)), it concludes an agreement with the multiplier known as a contrat de sous- concession de production et de vente de mat(cid:130)riel de reproduction ou de multiplication vegetative de vari(cid:130)t(cid:130) v(cid:130)g(cid:130)tale. (38) On the basis of the notified agreements, Sicasov grants the licence holder a non-exclusive licence to reproduce and sell a given plant variety (first para- graph of Article 1). The licence is personal and the rights arising therefrom cannot be transmitted, either in whole or in part (second paragraph of Article 1). Except with the prior agreement of Sicasov, the licence holder may not allow seed production to be carried out by a third party (third paragraph of Article 1). The notified agreements concern groups of species, which are thus subdivided: — cereals, — fodder plants and high-protein products, — maize/sorghum, vegetables, oil and fibre plants, — potatoes. (39) The notified agreements provide that the produc- tion and marketing of seed are subject to the following requirements: (a) the production and reproduction licence for the variety is granted solely for the production and sale of seed within French territory or within another specified territory (Article 2(A)) (6); (b) the licence holder may neither export nor import basic seed without express approval from Sicasov (first paragraph of Article 2(C)); (c) a licence holder selling basic seed must obtain a commitment from the purchaser that the seed will not be exported either direct or indirectly (second paragraph of Article 2(C)); (d) the licence holder may not export certified seed direct (or through an undertaking belonging to the same group or subject to the same export prohibition) if the variety has been entered in the common catalogue for less than four years (Article 2(D)); (e) the licence holder may not export certified seed of the first generation to Member States that authorise two or more generations or export certified seed of the second generation to Member States that authorise three or more generations. The licence holder undertakes to impose this obligation on all his purchasers (first paragraph of Article 2(E)). However, the breeder undertakes to give his agreement on the reclassification of seed to the national certi- fication authorities as a matter of course, provided that the exporter informs him of his intention and that the certification authorities inform him (or his assignee) of the quantities of seed reclassified and the country of destination (second paragraph of Article 2(E)). Such system- atic authorisation is to be granted only for vari- eties entered in the common catalogue for more than four years (third paragraph of Article 2(E)); (6) Where the variety is protected by a French breeding certifi- cate, the right of production covers all French territory. By contrast, where the variety is protected by a Community breeding right, the right of production is granted in respect of the whole of the Community. The licence holder is therefore entitled to produce and sell seed freely in all the Member States. The clauses relating to the import and export restric- tions provided for by Article 2 of the contract will apply only where the variety in question is protected under Community plant-breeding law (except where non-member countries are concerned). L 4/34 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 8. 1. 1999 (f) the licence holder may not export certified seed to Member States which do not grant legal protection for new plant varieties. The licence holder undertakes to impose this obligation on all his purchasers (first paragraph of Article 2(E)); (g) the licence holder may not export certified seed to States which are not members of the Community or members of the Union interna- tionale pour la protection des obtentions v(cid:130)g(cid:130)- tales (UPOV). The licence holder undertakes to impose this obligation on all his purchasers (first paragraph of Article 2(E)). The management group may subject the licence holder to any check it feels is necessary in order to ensure that the operations for which it is respon- sible are being properly carried out; it may also require the licence holder to submit to it each year a statement of sales or certifications, broken down by species. In exchange for the rights granted to him, the licence holder undertakes to pay the management group a membership fee and an amount based on the quantities sold or certified in the autumn or in question is payable by spring. The amount licensed multipliers when they entrust to their multiplying farmers seeds under licence produced or packed by them. If the subject of the agreement is an annual species the licence is granted only for the harvest resulting from the planting that follows its signing. In the case of a perennial species, the licence is granted for the number of harvests resulting from the planting that follows the signing of the agreement and is specified therein. (40) (41) (42) II. LEGAL ASSESSMENT A. ARTICLE 85(1) (43) Article 85(1) of the Treaty prohibits as incompat- ible with the common market all agreements between undertakings, decisions by associations of undertakings and concerted practices which may affect trade between Member States and which have as their object or effect the prevention, restriction or distortion of competition within the common market. (45) (46) The licence holders are also undertakings since they carry on an economic activity (the production and marketing of seeds). From the product standpoint, the notified agree- ments relate to a very large number of different reference markets. Each plant species constitutes a different market and, within a given species, groups of varieties can very often be identified that are to be regarded as separate markets. From the geographic standpoint, the abovemen- tioned markets correspond to the territories of the Member States. It should first be borne in mind that the production and marketing of seeds is governed by national rules (as far as France is concerned, see points 31 to 36), although such national rules must comply with the applicable Community directives. Secondly, should be stressed that seed distribution structures are organ- ised chiefly along national lines. However, the fact that the reference markets are national markets does not detract from the existence of import and export flows, some of which are on a large scale. it (47) The notified agreements are ‘agreements between undertakings' within the meaning of Article 85 of the Treaty. It is therefore necessary to examine whether the clauses provided for by the said agree- ments restrict competition and affect trade between Member States. (a) General (48) However, before assessing whether the clauses of the notified agreements are compatible with Article 85(1) of the Treaty, it is advisable to examine the scope of the plant-variety rights in order to define which clauses of the notified agreements arise from the existence of those rights. (49) In this connection, reference should be made both to Regulation (EC) No 2100/94 and to the UPOV Convention, which has been ratified by most Member States. Together, they give the breeder the right to subject to his prior authorisation all acts relating to the production, reproduction, conditioning, putting up for sale, marketing, export, import and stocking of seeds of the protected variety. (44) Sicasov is an ‘undertaking' within the meaning of Article 85 of the Treaty since it carries on an economic activity consisting in the management and supervision of plant breeders’ rights in France. It therefore follows that any act relating to the production of basic or certified seeds falls within the breeder’s exclusive rights and is accordingly covered by plant-variety rights. 8. 1. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 4/35 (50) Consequently, the breeder is entitled to control the destination of all seeds in respect of which an act of production is still legally possible in the light of the public provisions applicable (see points 21 to 27 and 31 to 36). This means that Article 85(1) will not apply to agreements aimed solely at protecting the breeder’s right in regard to seeds which, on the basis of the public rules applicable, can lawfully be used to produce other seeds. Thus, for instance, an from agreement prohibiting the licence holder selling or exporting seeds which do not belong to the last generation that may lawfully be reproduced and which have been made available to him solely for the purpose of multiplication is not covered by Article 85(1) of the Treaty (7). The above points also apply to ‘technical' seeds (see point 27). It must be accepted that, in the absence of any Community harmonisation in this field, a breeder may insert whatever contractual clauses are needed to protect his rights. In order to do so, the breeder may stipulate contractual clauses enabling him to subject to his authorisation and control any seed-production act irrespective of the generation concerned (first generation, second generation, etc. ). Such clauses will, however, be approved only if they are essential to protecting the breeder’s rights and are compatible with the Community rules on competition. Scrutiny of reveal whether those requirements are fully satisfied. the case will (51) By contrast, the breeder’s right of control ceases to apply only after he produces (or authorises the production of) seeds which, by virtue of the public provisions applicable, can no longer be lawfully reproduced and after he puts them (or authorises them to be put) into circulation. The seeds may no longer be used to produce other seeds; they may only be sold (direct or via an intermediary) to farmers for the production of consumption goods. The seeds must in such cases be regarded as goods that are comparable to finished industrial products. (7) See Case 27/87 Erauw-Jacquery v. La Hesbignonne [1988] ECR, p. 1919, at paragraphs 9 and 10 of the judgment. Ac- ‘the breeder must be entitled to restrict cording to the Court, propagation to the growers which he has selected as licensees. To that extent, the provision prohibiting the licensee from selling and exporting basic seed falls outside the prohibition contained in Article 85(1)'. Any agreement aimed at restricting the production or marketing of the seeds can be scrutinised in the light of Article 85 of the Treaty. While it is true that the abovementioned seeds are the subject of numerous checks by the public authorities (see points 31 to 36), the legal position of a breeder does not differ from that of a holder of a patent or trade mark on a product subject to control by the public authorities (such as a pharma- ceutical product). There are therefore no grounds for regarding seeds protected by plant-variety rights as having specific characteristics which require them to be treated differently from products protected by other industrial property rights. This does not affect the need to take the specific nature of seeds into consideration for the purposes of applying the competition rules (8). (b) Clauses not covered by Article 85(1) (52) The granting by Sicasov of a non-exclusive right to in multiply seeds covered by the agreements France or on a territory which is the subject of the plant variety rights (which means, in the case of the Community plant-breeding right, the Community as a whole) does not restrict to grant licences to all multipliers submitting an applica- tion, providing that those multipliers fulfil French legal requirements in terms of seed certification. In this respect, Sicasov’s policy has been to grant licences without difficulties to applicants in respect of the selected varieties. its right Moreover, the breeder is still free to sell the seeds covered by the contract in France or elsewhere. He may do so direct or via a distributor. Such a clause must restricting competition within the meaning of Article 85(1). seen as not therefore be (53) The obligation on the licence holder not (except with Sicasov’s approval) to entrust basic seeds to a third party with a view to producing certified seeds is one of the options arising from the existence of plant variety rights. In this connection, it should be emphasised that producing basic seeds entails major costs and may carry with it appreciable risks. (8) See Case 258/78 Nungesser v. Commission [1982] ECR, p. 2015. L 4/36 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 8. 1. 1999 (56) (57) the Moreover, basic seeds are produced under responsibility of the breeder. The latter must there- fore be allowed to protect himself against any tech- nical mishandling of those seeds. To that end, he must be allowed to restrict the multiplication of basic seed to the growers which Sicasov has selected as licence holders (9). This means that the breeder has the right to restrict the movement of basic seed. Accordingly, the obligation on the licence holder not to entrust basic seed to third parties is compatible with Article 85(1) of the Treaty. The obligation on the licence holder not to export basic seed must also be regarded as the expression of the exercise of one of the rights open to the breeder. The latter (or, as in this case, his assignee) must be recognised as having the right to restrict the destination of basic seed in order to avoid any wrongful handling of the varieties. To that end, he must have the right to prohibit the licence holders he has chosen (or, as in this case, the licence holders his assignee has chosen) from selling and exporting the basic seed (10). Clearly, therefore, a breeder who bears the economic and legal risks involved in the production of seeds must be able to control sale abroad. It may accordingly be felt that the pro- hibition on the export of basic seed is not covered by the prohibition under Article 85(1) of the Treaty. their destination, including their The obligation on the licence holder to pass on to the buyer the obligation not to export basic seed must also be regarded as an expression of the rights accruing to the breeder. In that case too, the breeder must be able to control the destination of the basic seed in order to avoid any technical mishandling of the varieties concerned. Such wrongful handling could occur not only when a licence holder exports direct but also when he sells (with Sicasov’s approval) to a third party who then exports the basic seed. The breeder must therefore be in a position to control the final destination of the basic seed. It may therefore be felt that the obligation on the part of the licence holder to obtain an undertaking from his buyer that the basic seed will not be exported is not covered by the prohibition under Article 85(1). The obligation on the licence holder not to export first- or second-generation certified seed if the said seed does not belong to the lowest level of protec- tion afforded by the country of destination (‘tech- nical seed') and has not been reclassified before- hand is aimed at ensuring that the breeder is able to control reproduction acts over which he has exclusive rights. In Member States where several generations first-generation seed imported into France might be used as basic seed in order to obtain other seed (the same would apply to second-generation seed in the case of Member States that allow three generations or more). Repro- duction acts could be carried out therefore by multipliers who have not been selected by the breeder and are outside his control (11). allowed, are Similar considerations may be arrived at as regards the prohibition on imports of basic seeds. Plant- protection rights allow the holder to prohibit third parties from importing protected seed. Those rights may be regarded as having expired only when the breeder has put the seeds into free circulation or has given his consent to that end. In the case of basic seed, the breeder arranges for its production and distribution on the basis of a network of multi- pliers who cannot freely dispose of the seed. It is therefore permissible for the breeder to underpin that system by means of a prohibition on each licence holder from importing basic seed. That clause should accordingly not be regarded as being covered by Article 85(1) of the Treaty. It should be emphasised that reclassification lowers neither the intrinsic value nor the commercial value of the seed. The sole effect of reclassification is to make seed non-reproducible (from the legal point of view). Account must be taken of the fact that it would be almost impossible for the holder to use contractual means alone to prevent reproduc- tion acts from taking place without his agreement in a Member State that allows several generations. In those Member States, reproduction acts towards subsequent generations are quite legal and the national authorities are under no obligation what- soever to ask the breeder for his authorisation or to communicate to him seed certifications of genera- tions occurring after the first. (54) (55) (9) See footnote 7; at paragraph 10 of the judgment. (10) See footnote 7; at paragraph 10 of the judgment. (11) See footnote 7; at paragraph 10 of the judgment. 8. 1. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 4/37 Admittedly, the authorisation to reclassify is not granted by the breeder until four years after entry in the common catalogue; meanwhile, licence holders will therefore be unable to export direct to of certain Member Community harmonisation, it must be concluded that such a measure is justified and does not restrict competition. In the absence States. (60) (61) (62) (58) (59) Accordingly, an obligation on the licence holder to reclassify first-generation seeds (or, where applic- able, second-generation seeds) prior to exporting them to Member States that allow two or more other generations does not restrict competition within the meaning of Article 85(1) of the Treaty. The obligation on the licence holder to pass on the prohibition on exports of the abovementioned seed is aimed at preventing an adverse effect, through one or more third-party buyers, on the breeders’ rights in the Member State of destination which would have the consequences described in point 57. Such an obligation must therefore be regarded as compatible with Article 85(1) of the Treaty. The obligation on the licence holder not to export certified seeds to Member States that do not afford any legal protection to new plant varieties is aimed at preventing third parties from carrying out, without the breeder’s authorisation, reproduction acts in order to obtain later generations of those seeds. In those Member States, anyone may repro- duce seeds until the last generation allowed under national legislation in accordance with Community directives. The only possibility the breeder has of exercising control over such acts is to restrict the marketing of seeds. Breeders’ rights do not cease to apply in the case of seeds that do not belong to self-reproducing plant species. Self-reproduction is a phenomenon producing a situation different from that obtaining in the field of patents. After being put onto the market (by the holder or with his consent), a patented industrial product can no longer be used to produce large numbers of similar products (regardless of whether or not there is any protection under patent law). On the other hand, prohibiting exports of seeds to Member States that do not recognise any legal protection for the species concerned is tantamount to prohibiting the licence holder from transmitting to third parties in a Member State that does not grant protection in respect of the patent any inter- mediate machinery used to manufacture a product in the Member State of protected by a patent origin. This prohibition should not be regarded as restricting competition. In the light of the above, an obligation on the licence holder not to export seeds to Member States that do not grant any legal protection to the variety in question is not to be regarded as restricting competition under Article 85. The obligation on the licence holder to pass on to any buyer the obligation referred to in paragraph 59 is also aimed at preventing reproduction acts from taking place outside the breeder’s control. That obligation is not, therefore, covered by the prohibition set out in Article 85(1) of the Treaty. that are not Member States of to export certified seeds to The obligation not countries the Community or members of UPOV is in keeping with the same objectives as are described above (see points 57 to 60). (c) The clause covered by Article 85(1) (or from registration of The obligation on licence holders not to export certified seeds from France direct through undertakings belonging to the same group, or through other licence holders) for a period of four years the variety in the common catalogue prevents licence holders not only from conducting an active sales policy outside France but also from meeting unsolicited demand from customers in other Member States. It follows that the licence holder may not supply customers established in Member States other than France, even if the sale of the seed takes place on French territory. It should be emphasised, moreover, that the said obligation also applies where the sale is made through a broker (who acts on behalf and for the account of the customer outside France). The obligation in question therefore prevents any direct exporting and leaves only the possibility of effecting indirect exports (that is, via a third-party undertaking established in France). is clear therefore that It the said obligation is designed to eliminate licence holders as direct to undertakings established in sellers of Member States other than France. Thus, undertak- ings outside France can only buy seeds through intermediaries established on French territory. In seeds L 4/38 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 8. 1. 1999 general, such purchases are more difficult and less advantageous than those made direct from licence holders. Consequently, the clause in question reduces the degree of competition in the other Member States, since the breeder (or the under- taking which the latter has authorised to produce and/or sell) is faced only with sales to third parties who bought the seed covered by the agreement in France (from licence holders in the management group or from the breeder himself) and subse- quently exported them to the State in question. (or his assignees) (63) Accordingly, the obligation mentioned in point 62 is designed to restrict competition within the meaning of Article 85(1) of the Treaty, at least in the case of exports to States which do not give the to prevent breeder imports from other Member States. To this extent, the said obligation enables the breeder to achieve a result which he would not be able to attain by relying exclusively on possible rules relating to plant-breeding rights, adopted by the Member States into which the seeds are imported. the right (64) The obligation mentioned in point 62 is likely to eliminate a flow of trade in seeds from France to the other Member States, which might otherwise have expanded. It must therefore be regarded as the affecting trade between Member States of Community. Article 2 of Regulation No 26 apply to the notified agreements. (67) It should be pointed out first of all that the notified form an integral part of a agreements do not national market organisation for seeds. Such a national organisation exists neither in France nor in any other Member State, since the sector is governed by the provisions of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2358/71 of 26 October 1971 on the common organisation of the market in seeds (14), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 192/98 (15). (68) It should be examined subsequently whether the notified agreements are necessary for the attain- ment of the objectives set out in Article 39 of the Treaty. It should be emphasised in this respect that, since it is a derogation to the general rule of Article 85(1) of the Treaty which is involved, the said exception is to be interpreted restrictively (16). In addition, the Community courts have consis- tently held that the exception in question only applies if an agreement promotes the attainment of all the objectives of Article 39 of the Treaty (17). Lastly, it must be concluded that agreements which are not included among the means provided by the Regulation on the common organisation for the attainment of the objectives set out in Article 39 of the Treaty are not necessary within the meaning of Article 2(1) of Regulation No 26/62. The common organisation of markets in seeds does not provide for the conclusion of licensing agreements. B. ARTICLE 2 OF REGULATION No 26 (69) Accordingly, an exception under Article 2 of Regu- lation No 26 must be ruled out in this case and, by the same token, Article 85(1) of the Treaty is applicable. (65) Article 2 of Council Regulation No 26 applying certain rules of competition to production of and trade in agricultural products (12), as amended by Regulation No 49 (13), provides that Article 85(1) of the Treaty is not to apply to such of the agree- ments, decisions and practices which concern the production or sale of agricultural products as form an integral part of a national market organisation or are necessary for attainment of the objectives set out in Article 39 of the Treaty. (70) C. ARTICLE 85(3) The provisions of Article 85(1) can, by virtue of Article 85(3), be declared inapplicable in the case of any agreement or category of agreements between undertakings which contributes to improving the production or to distribution of promoting technical or economic progress, while allowing consumers a fair share of the resulting benefit, and which does not: goods or (66) Seeds are listed in Annex II to the Treaty and are therefore products. Consideration should therefore be given to whether the two exceptions provided for by the first sentence of agricultural (12) OJ 30, 20. 4. 1962, p. 993/62. (13) OJ 53, 1. 7. 1962, p. 1571/62. (14) OJ L 246, 5. 11. 1971, p. 1. (15) OJ L 20, 27. 1. 1998, p. 16. (16) See Case C-399/93 Oude Luttikhuis [1995] ECR I, p. 4515, at paragraph 23 et seq. of the judgment and Joined Cases T-70/ 92 and T-71/92 Florimex [1997] ECR II, p. 693, at paragraph 152 of the judgment. (17) See Case 71/74 Frubo [1975] ECR 563, paragraphs 22 to 27 of the judgment, Oude Luttikhuis, see footnote 16, at para- graph 25 and Florimex, see footnote 16, at paragraph 153. 8. 1. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 4/39 (a) impose on the undertakings concerned restric- tions which are not indispensable to the attain- ment of those objectives; (b) afford such undertakings eliminating substantial part of the products in question. competition in respect the possibility of a of (71) The Commission may apply Article 85(3) either by means of an individual decision or by means of a regulation. (72) Commission Regulation (EC) No 240/96 (18) may technology relating to plant breeders’ be applied to certain categories of transfer agreements rights (point (h) of Article 8(1)). Regulation (EC) No 240/96 cannot, however, be applied to the notified agreements since the prohi- bition on exporting certified seeds does not corre- the obligations mentioned in spond to any of in particular, the Article 1(1) of the Regulation: notified agreements do not grant territories to licensees (see points 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 of Article 1(1)) or reserve certain territories for the licensor (see point 3 of Article 1(1)). (73) Although Regulation (EC) No 240/96 is not applic- able as such, it can nevertheless provide criteria that may be used, in the context of this individual Decision, in assessing the prohibition on exporting certified seeds. Consequently, with a view to assessing whether the prohibition on exporting certified seeds satisfies the tests of Article 85(3) of the Treaty, account must be taken of the following considerations. (74) The prohibition on exporting certified seeds contri- butes to improving production and distribution, and to promoting technical and economic progress. First, it facilitates the dissemination of new varieties in Member States other than France by encour- aging undertakings in those Member States to accept the risks involved in producing and/or marketing new varieties selected by the French breeders. Those firms will be more inclined to undertake the dissemination of new varieties if they can be certain that they will not have to contend with direct exports from France during the launch period. It is therefore appropriate to conclude that, during this period, French breeders should have (18) OJ L 31, 9. 2. 1996, p. 2. to protect licence holders and their the right distributors (in Member States other than France) against direct competition from French licence holders by imposing on the latter contractual clauses prohibiting them from exporting certified seeds. Licence holders and distributors in Member States other than France, who will normally have a better knowledge of the respective markets than the French breeders, will be able to market seeds belonging to new varieties in optimum conditions and provide users with regular and adequate supplies. the export prohibition improves Secondly, the organisation of the production and distribution of seeds in France by encouraging French licence holders to concentrate their efforts on French ter- ritory with a view to providing user farmers with regular and adequate supplies. It should also be stressed that Regulation (EC) No 240/96 exempts obligations on licensees to refrain from both active sales (Article 1(1), point 5) and passive sales (Article 1(1), point 6) since it considers such prohibitions generally contribute to that improving the production of goods and to promoting technical progress. (75) User farmers, be they in France or in other Member States, will be allowed a fair share of the benefit resulting from the improved supply of seeds referred to in point 74. The protection afforded by the prohibition on exports encourages firms in Member States other than France to conclude production or distribution agreements with French breeders and thereby introduces farmers in those Member States to new varieties that will improve their harvests. French farmers will also benefit from regular and plentiful supplies, since French licence holders will have to concentrate their efforts above all on the French market. In order to preserve these beneficial effects, however, parallel exports from French territory must at all times be free. This requirement is met in the case in point since there is no clause in the notified agreements prohibiting licence holders from selling to users and dealers established in French territory, who could then export to other Member States. L 4/40 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 8. 1. 1999 The foregoing considerations are compatible with that Regulation (EC) No 240/96, which states export prohibitions as referred to in Article 1, as a rule allow consumers a resulting from the share of fair improvement in the supply of goods on the market. imposed on licensees, the benefit (76) (77) The prohibition on direct exports of seeds is essen- tial for ensuring the dissemination of new varieties in Member States other than France and, therefore, for achieving the objective of promoting technical and economic progress for the benefit of users situ- ated in those Member States. In particular, it does not seem that a protection period of four years, calculated from the entry in the common cata- logue, is excessive compared with the aim of promoting the knowledge and dissemination of a new variety on a market. In this respect, it should be noted that Regulation (EC) No 240/96 allows prohibitions on passive exports for a period of five years, calculated from the date on which the product in question is first placed on the market. As regards the date on which the export prohibi- tion is to begin, it should be borne in mind that, on the whole (that is to say, in cases other than that of parallel entry in the national catalogue of the Member State of destination), a variety may not move freely in the Community until it is entered in the common catalogue. It is therefore advisable to choose the time of such entry as the starting point of the protection period. The obligation on the licence holder not to export seeds direct does not enable breeders to eliminate competition. First of all, new varieties of seeds are mostly in competition with existing varieties which are well known to farmers and which therefore constitute an alternative source of supply. Secondly, parallel imports from France are still unrestricted, with the result that any customers established in other Member States will, albeit indirectly, have access to French varieties, even during the launch phase. (78) (79) D. ARTICLES 6 AND 8 OF REGULATION No 17 The Commission is required, under Article 6 of Regulation No 17, to indicate the date on which an exemption decision begins to take effect. By virtue of Article 8(1) of Regulation No 17 exemption is to be granted for a specific period. In view of technical developments in the field of seeds and the situation on the market concerned, it would be reasonable to provide for a 10-year exemption, to begin on 26 October 1994, being the date of notification of the agreements, economic HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 Pursuant to Article 85(3) of the EC Treaty, Article 85(1) is hereby declared inapplicable to the standard agreements of Sicasov (Soci(cid:130)t(cid:130) coop(cid:130)rative d’int(cid:130)r(cid:136)t collectif agricole anonyme (cid:133) capital variable) covering the production and sale of seeds. Article 2 The exemption shall apply from 26 October 1994 to 26 October 2004. Article 3 This Decision is addressed to: Sicasov (Soci(cid:130)t(cid:130) coop(cid:130)rative d’int(cid:130)r(cid:136)t collectif agricole anonyme (cid:133) capital variable) 7, rue Coq-H(cid:130)ron, F-75001 Paris. Done at Brussels, 14 December 1998. For the Commission Karel VAN MIERT Member of the Commission


title: Règlement (CE) nº 2715/98 de la Commission du 14 décembre 1998 concernant l'arrêt de la pêche de la sole commune par les navires battant pavillon de la Belgique

eurovoc_concepts:
Belgium
catch quota
fishing regulations
fishing vessel
sea fish
ship's flag

text: L 342/8 FR Journal officiel des Communaut(cid:130)s europ(cid:130)ennes 17. 12. 98 R(cid:221)GLEMENT (CE) No 2715/98 DE LA COMMISSION du 14 d(cid:130)cembre 1998 concernant l’arr(cid:136)t de la p(cid:136)che de la sole commune par les navires battant pavillon de la Belgique LA COMMISSION DES COMMUNAUT(cid:144)S EUROP(cid:144)ENNES, vu le trait(cid:130) instituant la Communaut(cid:130) europ(cid:130)enne, vu le r(cid:138)glement (CEE) no 2847/93 du Conseil du 12 octobre 1993 instituant un r(cid:130)gime de contr(cid:147)le applicable (cid:133) la politique commune de la p(cid:136)che (1), modifi(cid:130) en (CE) no 2635/97 (2), et dernier lieu par le r(cid:138)glement notamment son article 21, paragraphe 3, consid(cid:130)rant que le r(cid:138)glement (CE) no 45/98 du Conseil du 19 d(cid:130)cembre 1997 fixant, pour certains stocks et groupes de stocks de poissons, les totaux admissibles des captures pour 1998 et certaines conditions dans lesquelles ils peuvent (cid:136)tre p(cid:136)ch(cid:130)s (3), modifi(cid:130) en dernier lieu par le r(cid:138)glement (CE) no 2386/98 (4), pr(cid:130)voit des quotas de soles communes pour 1998; consid(cid:130)rant que, afin d’assurer le respect des dispositions relatives aux limitations quantitatives des captures d’un stock soumis (cid:133) quota, il est n(cid:130)cessaire que la Commission fixe la date (cid:133) laquelle les captures effectu(cid:130)es par les navires battant pavillon d’un (cid:144)tat membre sont r(cid:130)put(cid:130)es avoir (cid:130)puis(cid:130) le quota attribu(cid:130); consid(cid:130)rant que, selon les informations communiqu(cid:130)es (cid:133) la Commission, les captures de soles communes dans les eaux de la division CIEM VII a par des navires battant pavillon de la Belgique ou enregistr(cid:130)s en Belgique ont atteint le quota attribu(cid:130) pour 1998; que la Belgique a interdit la p(cid:136)che de ce stock (cid:133) partir du 29 novembre 1998; qu’il convient d(cid:138)s lors de retenir cette date, A ARR(cid:219)T(cid:144) LE PR(cid:144)SENT R(cid:221)GLEMENT: Article premier Les captures de soles communes dans les eaux de la division CIEM VII a effectu(cid:130)es par les navires battant pavillon de la Belgique ou enregistr(cid:130)s en Belgique sont r(cid:130)put(cid:130)es avoir (cid:130)puis(cid:130) le quota attribu(cid:130) (cid:133) la Belgique pour 1998. La p(cid:136)che de la sole commune dans les eaux de la division CIEM VII a effectu(cid:130)e par des navires battant pavillon de la Belgique ou enregistr(cid:130)s en Belgique est interdite, ainsi que la conservation (cid:133) bord, le transbordement et le d(cid:130)bar- quement de ce stock captur(cid:130) par ces navires apr(cid:138)s la date d’application de ce r(cid:138)glement. Article 2 Le pr(cid:130)sent r(cid:138)glement entre en vigueur le jour suivant celui de sa publication au Journal officiel des Commu- naut(cid:130)s europ(cid:130)ennes. Il est applicable (cid:133) partir du 29 novembre 1998. Le pr(cid:130)sent r(cid:138)glement est obligatoire dans tous ses (cid:130)l(cid:130)ments et directement applicable dans tout (cid:144)tat membre. Fait (cid:133) Bruxelles, le 14 d(cid:130)cembre 1998. Par la Commission Emma BONINO Membre de la Commission (1) JO L 261 du 20. 10. 1993, p. 1. (2) JO L 356 du 31. 12. 1997, p. 14. (3) JO L 12 du 19. 1. 1998, p. 1. (4) JO L 297 du 6. 11. 1998, p. 2


title: Id-Deċiżjoni tal-Kunsill ta’ l-14 ta’ Diċembru 1998 dwar sistema Komunitarja ta’ drittijiet li jridu jitħallsu fis-settur ta’ l-għalf ta’ l-annimali

eurovoc_concepts:
animal nutrition
overheads
tax
tax harmonisation
wage cost

text: 03/Vol. 24 MT Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali ta' l-Unjoni Ewropea 211 31998D0728 22. 12. 1998 IL-ĠURNAL UFFIĊJALI TAL-KOMUNITAJIET EWROPEJ L 346/51 ID-DEĊIŻJONI TAL-KUNSILL ta’ l-14 ta’ Diċembru 1998 dwar sistema Komunitarja ta’ drittijiet li jridu jitħallsu fis-settur ta’ l-għalf ta’ l-annimali (98/728/KE) IL-KUNSILL TA’ L-UNJONI EWROPEA, li kkunsidra t-Trattat Wara Ewropej, li jistabbilixxi l-Komunitajiet Wara li kkunsidra d-Direttiva tal-Kunsill 70/524/KEE tat-23 ta’ Novembru 1970 dwar addittivi fl-għalf ta’ l-annimali, u b’ mod partikolari l-Artikolu 6(2) tagħha (1), Wara li kkunsidra d-Direttiva tal-Kunsill 95/69/KE tat-22 ta’ Diċembru 1995 li tistipula l-kundizzjonijiet u l-arranġamenti għall-approvazzjoni u għar-reġistrazzjoni ta’ ċerti stabbilimenti u intermedjarji li joperaw fis-settur ta’ l-għalf ta’ l-annimali u li temenda d-Direttivi 70/524/KEE, 74/63/KEE, 79/373/KEE u 82/471/KEE, u b’mod partikolari l-Artikolu 14 tagħha (2), Wara li kkunsidra l-proposta tal-Kummissjoni (3), Billi għandu jkun hemm dispożizzjonijiet fuq livell Komunitarju sabiex jiġu imposti drittijiet li jridu jitħallsu għal ċerti servizzi fl-Istati membri kollha; jridu jitħallsu għandhom jiġu imposti biss Billi d-drittijiet li għall-eżamijiet ta’ dokumenti ta’ addittivi speċifiċi; billi l-gruppi ta’ addittivi rilevanti għandhom jiġu elenkati; Billi d-drittijiet li jridu jitħallsu imposti għandhom ikopru biss l-paga attwali, l-assistenza soċjali u l-ispejjeż amministrattivi ta’ l-organu li jwettaq is-servizzi; billi huwa xieraq li ssir lista eżawrjenti ta’ l-ispejjeż li jridu jiġu kunsidrati għall-kalkolu ta’ l- imsemmija drittijiet li jridu jitħallsu; l-Istati Membri għandhom jingħataw l-opportunità li Billi jridu jitħallsu jiffissaw somom b’ rata fissa għal drittijiet sabiex ma jkollhomx għalfejn jipprovdu evidenza ta’ l-ispejjeż li attwalment ikunu ntefqu f’kull każ individwali; li l-Istati Membri għandhom jgħinu lill-Kummissjoni, billi Billi jipprovdu l-informazzjoni meħtieġa, sabiex din temenda l- Anness meta jidhrilha li dan ikun xieraq; billi dawn l-emendi għandhom isiru permezz tal-proċedura stipulata minn din id- Deċiżjoni sabiex tinħoloq kooperazzjoni mill-viċin bejn l-Istati Membri u l-Kummissjoni fi ħdan il-Kumitat Permanenti dwar Għalf ta’ l-annimali, ADOTTA DIN ID-DEĊIŻJONI: L-Artikolu 1 L-Istati Membri jassiguraw li tiġi jintefqu mill-Istat Membru li imposta miżata għall- 1. jaġixxi bħala relatur ispejjeż li tad- Direttiva 70/524/KEE għall- skond l-Artikoli 4 u 6(1) eżami ta’ l-inkartamenti għal addittivi elenkati fl-Anness A ta’ din id-Deċiżjoni. L-Istati Membri għandhom jassiguraw li tiġi 2. imposta jiġu approvati ċerti miżata għall-ispejjeż li jintefqu waqt stabbilimenti u intermedjarji skond l-Artikolu 5 tad-Direttiva 95/69/KE. li (1) ĠU L 270, ta’ l-14. 12. 1970, p. 1. Id-Direttiva kif emendata l-aħħar mid-Direttiva 98/92/KE (ĠU L 346, tat-22. 12. 98, p. 49). (2) ĠU L 332, tat-30. 12. 1995, p. 15. Id-Direttiva kif emendata l-aħħar mid-Direttiva 98/92/KE (ĠU L 346, tat-22. 12. 98, p. 49). (3) ĠU C 155, ta’ l-20. 5. 1998, p. 29. li jridu jitħallsu 3. Waqt msemmija fil-paragrafi 1 u 2, għandhom jiġu meqjusa biss l- ispejjeż speċifikati fl-Anness B. jiġu kalkulati d-drittijiet li 212 MT Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali ta' l-Unjoni Ewropea 03/Vol. 24 L-Artikolu 2 L-Annessi jistgħu jiġu emendati skond il-proċedura stipulata fl- Artikolu 5. L-Artikolu 3 Ir-rifużjoni diretta jew indiretta minn Stati Membri tad-drittijiet jridu jitħallsu skond it-tifsira ta’ din id-Deċiżjoni għandha li tkun projbita. Madankollu, l-applikazzjoni ta’ ammonti b’rata fissa minn Stat Membru waqt l-evalwazzjoni ta’ każijiet individwali m’għand- hiex titqies bħala rifużjoni indiretta. L-Artikolu 4 L-Istati Membri għandhom iħejju rapporti dwar 1. l- implimentazzjoni tar- regoli ta’ din id-Deċiżjoni, li jispeċifikaw: — il-livell ta’ drittijiet li jridu jitħallsu jew ta’ ammonti b’ rata fissa imposti f’kull każ skond l-Artikolu 1(1) jew (2); — il-metodu għall-kalkolu tad-drittijiet li jridu jitħallsu relatat mal-fatturi elenkati fl-Anness B. L-Istati Membri għandhom jittrasmettu r-rapporti tagħhom lill- Kummissjoni sa mhux iktar tard mill-14 ta’ Diċembru 2000. Fuq il-bażi tar-rapporti meħtieġa skond il-paragrafu 1, il- 2. Kummissjoni għandha tissottometti lill-Kunsill sa mhux iktar tard mill-14 ta’ Diċembru 2002 rapport ġenerali sommarju dwar l-implimentazzjoni ta’ din id-Deċiżjoni u, jekk applikabbli, proposti għal armonizzazzjoni ulterjuri tas-sistemi ta’ drittijiet li jridu jitħallsu fis-settur ta’ l-għalf ta’ l-annimali. L-Artikolu 5 Kull meta trid tiġi segwita l-proċedura stipulata f’ dan l- 1. il-Kummissjoni għandha tiġi assistita mill-Kumitat Artikolu, Permanenti għall-Għalf ta’ l-annimali, minn hawn ’l quddiem imsejjaħ “il-Kumitat”. Ir-rappreżentant tal-Kummissjoni għandu jissottometti lill- 2. Kumitat abbozz tal-miżuri li jridu jittieħdu. Il-Kumitat għandu jagħti l-opinjoni tiegħu fuq l-abbozz fil-limitu taż-żmien li l- jista’ jistabbilixxi skond l-urġenza tal-materja. L- president opinjoni għandha tiġi mwassla mill-maġġoranza stipulata fl- Artikolu 148(2) tat-Trattat fil-każ ta’ deċiżjonijiet li l-Kunsill huwa meħtieġ jadotta fuq proposta mill-Kummissjoni. Il-voti fi ħdan il-Kumitat tar-rappreżentanti l-Istati Membri ta’ għandhom jingħataw il-piż kif stabbilit Il- f’dak l-Artikolu. president ma jistax jivvota. 3. (a) Il-Kummissjoni għandha tadotta il-miżuri previsti dawn ikunu jaqblu ma’ l-opinjoni tal-Kumitat. jekk jew jekk ma tingħata ebda opinjoni, (b) Jekk il-miżuri previsti ma jkunux jaqblu ma’ l-opinjoni tal-Kumitat, il- Kummissjoni għandha, mingħajr dewmien, tissottometti lill-Kunsill proposta li tirrigwarda l-miżuri li għandhom jittieħdu. Il-Kunsill għandu jaġixxi b’maġġoranza kwalifi- kata. ir-riferenza lill-Kunsill, Jekk, malli jiskadi l-perijodu ta’ tliet xhur mid-data ta’ meta tkun saret il-Kunsill ma jkunx għadu aġixxa, il-Kummissjoni għandha tadotta l- miżuri proposti u għandha tapplikhom immedjatament, sakemm il-Kunsill ma l-miżuri imsemmija b’ maġġoranza sempliċi. jiddeċiedix kontra L-Artikolu 6 Din id-Deċiżjoni għandha tapplika mit-30 ta’ Ġunju 2000. L-Artikolu 7 Din id- deċiżjoni hija indirizzata lill-Istati Membri. Magħmula fi Brussel, fl-14 ta’ Diċembru 1998. Għall-Kunsill W. MOLTERER Il-President 03/Vol. 24 MT Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali ta' l-Unjoni Ewropea 213 L-ANNESS A Dokumenti ċirkolazzjoni skond id-Direttiva 70/524/KEE. ta’ addittivi soġġetti għal awtorizzazzjoni marbuta mal-persuna responsabbli biex tpoġġihom fiċ- Lista esklussiva ta’ l-ispejjeż li jridu jiġu meqjusa meta jiġu kalkulati l-ispejjeż skond l-Artikolu 1(1) u (2): L-ANNESS B Spejjeż ta’ impjegati — salarji inklużi benefiċċji fejn applikabbli, spejjeż ta’ superannwazzjoni (pensjoni), kontribuzzjonijiet ta’ assigurazzjoni ta’ l-impjegati. Spejjeż amministrattivi — akkomodazzjoni inkluża kera, sħana, dawl u ilma, għamara, manutenzjoni, assigurazzjoni, interessi, ammortizzaz- zjoni; — spejjeż ġenerali regolari sottoskrizzjoni għal rivisti; inkluż apparat ta’ l-uffiċċju, kartolerija, stampar, telekomunikazzjonijiet, taħriġ, — spejjeż ta’ vjaġġar u spejjeż assoċjati. Spejjeż tekniċi — spejjeż tekniċi assoċjati (eż. spejjeż ta’ laboratorji, teħid ta’ kampjuni); — drittijiet ta’ konsulenza


title: Rådets direktiv 98/93/EF af 14. december 1998 om ændring af direktiv 68/414/EØF om forpligtelse for EØF's medlemsstater til at opretholde minimumslagre af mineralolie og/eller mineralolieprodukter

eurovoc_concepts:
crude oil
energy consumption
minimum stock
petroleum product
security of supply
storage of hydrocarbons

text: L 358/100 DA De Europæiske Fællesskabers Tidende 31. 12. 98 R(cid:143)DETS DIREKTIV 98/93/EF af 14. december 1998 om ændring af direktiv 68/414/EØF om forpligtelse for EØF’s medlemsstater til at opretholde minimumslagre af mineralolie og/eller mineralolieprodukter R(cid:143)DET FOR DEN EUROPÆISKE UNION HAR (cid:190) (4) er det forbedres; vigtigt, at olieforsyningssikkerheden under henvisning til Europæiske Fællesskab, særlig artikel 103 A, stk. 1, traktaten om oprettelse af Det under henvisning til forslag fra Kommissionen (1), under henvisning til udtalelse fra Europa-Parlamentet (2), under henvisning til udtalelse fra Det Økonomiske og Sociale Udvalg (3), og ud fra følgende betragtninger: (1) R(cid:134)det har vedtaget direktiv 68/414/EØF af 20. december for EØF’s medlemsstater til at opretholde minimumslagre af mineralolie og/eller mineralolieprodukter (4); om forpligtelse 1968 (2) importeret mineralolie og mineralolieprodukter spiller fortsat en vigtig rolle for Fællesskabets ener- giforsyning; enhver vanskelighed, selv af forbi- g(cid:134)ende art, som fører til en nedgang i leverancerne af eller kraftige prisstigninger p(cid:134) disse produkter p(cid:134) de internationale markeder, vil kunne for(cid:134)rsage alvorlige forstyrrelser i den økonomiske aktivitet i Fællesskabet; Fællesskabet skal være i stand til at afbøde eller i hvert fald mindske de negative virk- ninger af en s(cid:134)dan eventualitet; det er nødvendigt at ajourføre direktiv 68/414/EØF for at tilpasse det indre til de faktiske forhold p(cid:134) Fællesskabets marked og til udviklingen p(cid:134) oliemarkederne; (3) R(cid:134)det fastsatte i direktiv 73/238/EØF (5) foranstalt- ninger — herunder ogs(cid:134) bestemmelser om, hvordan der skal trækkes p(cid:134) olielagre — som skal iværksættes i tilfælde af vanskeligheder med forsy- ningen af mineralolie og mineralolieprodukter til Fællesskabet; medlemsstaterne har indg(cid:134)et tilsva- rende forpligtelser i aftalen om et internationalt energiprogram; (1) EFT C 160 af 27. 5. 1998, s. 18. (2) EFT C 359 af 23. 11. 1998. (3) Udtalelse af 10. - 11. 9. 1998 (endnu ikke offentliggjort i EFT). (4) EFT L 308 af 23. 12. 1968, s. 14. Direktivet er ændret ved direktiv 72/425/EØF (EFT L 291 af 28. 12. 1972, s. 154). (5) EFT L 228 af 16. 8. 1973, s. 1. (5) det er nødvendigt, at de organisatoriske ordninger for olielagre ikke udgør nogen hindring for, at det indre marked kan fungere hensigtsmæssigt; (6) bestemmelserne i dette direktiv berører p(cid:134) ingen m(cid:134)de traktatens anvendelse, navnlig ikke bestem- melserne om det indre marked og konkurrence; (7) (8) i overensstemmelse med nærhedsprincippet og proportionalitetsprincippet i henhold til traktatens artikel 3 B kan m(cid:134)lsætningen om opretholdelse af et højt niveau for olieforsyningssikkerheden i Fællesskabet gennem p(cid:134)lidelige og gennemsigtige mekanismer solidaritet mellem p(cid:134) medlemsstaterne, samtidig med at reglerne om det indre marked og konkurrence overholdes, iværk- sættes mere effektivt p(cid:134) fællesskabsplan; dette direktiv g(cid:134)r ikke ud over, hvad der er nødvendigt for at n(cid:134) dette m(cid:134)l; baseret det er nødvendigt, at medlemsstaterne kan dispo- nere over lagre, hvis der opst(cid:134)r vanskeligheder med olieforsyningen; medlemsstaterne bør have befø- jelse og kapacitet til at kontrollere brugen af lagrene, s(cid:134) de omg(cid:134)ende kan stilles til r(cid:134)dighed til gavn for de omr(cid:134)der, hvor der er størst behov for olieforsyninger; (9) organisatoriske ordninger for opretholdelse af lagre bør sikre, at lagrene er til r(cid:134)dighed og tilgængelige for forbrugeren; (10) de organisatoriske ordninger for opretholdelsen af lagre bør være gennemsigtige og sikre en retfærdig og ikke-diskriminatorisk fordeling af byrden ved lagerpligten; medlemsstaterne kan stille oplys- ninger om omkostningerne ved at opretholde olie- lagre til r(cid:134)dighed for interesserede parter; 31. 12. 98 DA De Europæiske Fællesskabers Tidende L 358/101 (11) medlemsstaterne kan for at organisere oprethol- delsen af lagre gøre brug af et system baseret p(cid:134) en særlig lagerorganisation, som opretholder alle eller en del af de lagre, der udgør deres lagerpligt; en eventuel resterende del bør opretholdes af raffina- derier og andre markedsoperatører; et partnerskab mellem staten og olieindustrien er afgørende for at sikre effektive og p(cid:134)lidelige oplagringsmekanismer; (12) indenlandsk produktion bidrager i sig selv til forsy- ningssikkerheden; udviklingen p(cid:134) oliemarkedet kan berettige til en passende fritagelse fra lager- pligten for medlemsstater med indenlandsk olie- produktion; i overensstemmelse med nærhedsprin- cippet kan medlemsstaterne fritage virksomheder for pligten til at opretholde lagre i et omfang, der ikke overstiger mængden af de produkter, som disse virksomheder fremstiller af mineralolie, der udvindes p(cid:134) den p(cid:134)gældende medlemsstats eget omr(cid:134)de; (13) der bør vedtages fremgangsm(cid:134)der, som i forvejen følges af Fællesskabet og medlemsstaterne i rela- tion til deres internationale forpligtelser og aftaler; som følge af ændringer i mønstret i olieforbruget er den internationale lufttrafiks bunkring blevet en væsentlig bestanddel af dette forbrug; de berørte medlemsstater at træffe afgørelse om at indg(cid:134) s(cid:134)danne aftaler; (17) det er form(cid:134)lstjenligt at styrke det administrative tilsyn med lagrene og indføre effektive mekanismer for kontrollen med og opgørelsen af lagre; det er nødvendigt at for at kunne indføre sanktioner h(cid:134)ndhæve en s(cid:134)dan kontrol; (18) med direktiv 72/425/EØF blev den referencepe- riode, der er nævnt i artikel 1, stk. 1, i direktiv 68/414/EØF, forlænget fra 65 til 90 dage, og der blev fastsat nærmere vilk(cid:134)r for gennemførelsen af denne forlængelse; direktiv 72/425/EØF er blevet overflødigt med nærværende direktiv; direktiv 72/ 425/EØF bør derfor ophæves; (19) R(cid:134)det bør holdes løbende underrettet om situati- onen vedrørende mindstelagre i Fællesskabet — UDSTEDT FØLGENDE DIREKTIV: Artikel 1 Direktiv 68/414/EØF ændres s(cid:134)ledes: 1) Artikel 1 affattes s(cid:134)ledes: (14) der er behov for at tilpasse og forenkle Fællesska- bets statistiske indberetningssystem for olielagre; »Artikel 1 (15) p(cid:134)gældende medlemsstat, olielagre kan i princippet opretholdes hvor som helst i Fællesskabet, og det bør derfor gøres lettere at oprette lagre uden for det nationale omr(cid:134)de; beslutninger om oprettelse af lagre uden for det nationale omr(cid:134)de skal træffes af myndighederne i den af medlemsstatens behov og hensynet til forsynings- sikkerheden; hvor der er tale om lagre, der st(cid:134)r til r(cid:134)dighed for en anden virksomhed eller særlig lagerorganisation, er der behov for mere detaljerede regler for at sikre, at disse lagre er til r(cid:134)dighed og tilgængelige i tilfælde af vanskeligheder med olie- forsyningen; afhængigt 1. Medlemsstaterne vedtager love eller administra- tive bestemmelser, der er egnede til i Fællesskabet, jf. dog artikel 7, til enhver tid at opretholde lagrene af mineralolieprodukter p(cid:134) et niveau, der for hver kate- gori af mineralolieprodukter, som omhandles i artikel 2, svarer til det indenlandske forbrug i mindst 90 dage, beregnet efter det gennemsnitlige daglige forbrug i det foreg(cid:134)ende kalender(cid:134)r, som anført i artikel 4. 2. Den del af det indenlandske forbrug, som dækkes af produkter fremstillet af mineralolie, der udvindes p(cid:134) den p(cid:134)gældende medlemsstats eget omr(cid:134)de, kan fratrækkes med indtil 25 % af det nævnte forbrug. Den berørte medlemsstat træffer afgørelse om forde- lingen inden for medlemsstaterne af resultatet af fratrækningen. « 2) Artikel 2 udg(cid:134)r. (16) for at sikre, at der ikke opst(cid:134)r problemer p(cid:134) det indre marked, er det ønskeligt at fremme anven- delsen af aftaler mellem medlemsstaterne om mini- mumsoplagring for at fremme brugen af oplag- ringsfaciliteter i andre medlemsstater; det er op til 3) Artikel 3 bliver artikel 2 og der tilføjes følgende stykke: »Bunkerleverancer til skibsfart medregnes ikke i det indenlandske forbrug. « L 358/102 DA De Europæiske Fællesskabers Tidende 31. 12. 98 4) Følgende artikel indsættes: »Artikel 3 1. Lagre, der opretholdes i henhold til artikel 1, er til medlemsstaternes fulde r(cid:134)dighed, s(cid:134)fremt der opst(cid:134)r vanskeligheder med at f(cid:134) olieforsyninger. Medlemssta- terne sikrer, at de har lovfæstet beføjelse til at kontrol- lere anvendelsen af lagrene under s(cid:134)danne omstændig- heder. Medlemsstaterne skal p(cid:134) alle andre tidspunkter sikre, at disse lagre er r(cid:134)dighed og tilgængelige; de indfører ordninger, der gør det muligt at identificere, opgøre og kontrollere lagrene. til 2. Medlemsstaterne sikrer, at rimelige og ikke-diskri- minatoriske vilk(cid:134)r er gældende i deres oplagringsord- ninger. Den omkostningsmæssige byrde ved at opretholde lagre i henhold til artikel 1 identificeres ved hjælp af I den forbindelse kan gennemsigtige ordninger. at medlemsstaterne foranstaltninger vedtage indhente den omkostningsmæssige byrde ved opretholdelsen af lagrene i henhold til artikel 1 og gøre s(cid:134)danne oplys- ninger tilgængelige for de berørte parter. oplysninger vedrørende passende til For at opfylde kravene i stk. 1 og 2, kan medlems- 3. staterne beslutte at gøre brug af en særlig lagerorgani- sation, som er ansvarlig for opretholdelsen af alle eller en del af lagrene. To eller flere medlemsstater kan beslutte at gøre brug af en fælles lagerorganisation. I s(cid:134) fald er de i fælles- skab ansvarlige for overholdelsen af de forpligtelser, der følger af dette direktiv. « 5) Artikel 4 affattes s(cid:134)ledes: »Artikel 4 Medlemsstaterne indgiver en statistisk opgørelse over de ved slutningen af hver m(cid:134)ned best(cid:134)ende lagre, der er opstillet i overensstemmelse med artikel 5 og 6, til Kommissionen; samtidig angiver de, hvor mange dages foreg(cid:134)ende kalender(cid:134)r gennemsnitligt disse lagre svarer til. Denne opgørelse skal forelægges senest den 25. dag i den anden m(cid:134)ned efter den m(cid:134)ned, opgørelsen vedrører. forbrug i det fore- Medlemsstaternes lagerpligt er baseret p(cid:134) det g(cid:134)ende kalender(cid:134)rs indenlandske forbrug. Medlemssta- terne skal ved begyndelsen af hvert kalender(cid:134)r genbe- regne deres lagerpligt senest den 31. marts hvert (cid:134)r og p(cid:134)se, at den nye lagerpligt opfyldes snarest og under alle omstændigheder senest den 31. juli hvert (cid:134)r. I den statistiske opgørelse opgøres lagre af jetbrændstof af petroleumstypen særskilt under kategori II. « 6) Artikel 5 affattes s(cid:134)ledes: »Artikel 5 De lagre, der kræves opretholdt i henhold til artikel 1, kan have form af mineralolie og halvfabrikata eller færdige produkter. De færdige produkter skal i den statistiske lageropgø- relse, der er nævnt i artikel 4, opføres med deres faktiske vægt. Mineralolie og halvfabrikata medregnes s(cid:134)ledes: — enten i det omfang, i hvilket hver kategori af produkter er blevet fremstillet i den p(cid:134)gældende stats raffinaderier i det foreg(cid:134)ende kalender(cid:134)r — eller p(cid:134) grundlag af produktionsprogrammerne for raffinaderierne i p(cid:134)gældende stat for indeværende (cid:134)r — eller i det forhold, der best(cid:134)r mellem p(cid:134) den ene side den samlede mængde af lagringspligtige produkter, der i løbet af det foreg(cid:134)ende kalender(cid:134)r er fremstillet i den p(cid:134)gældende stat, og p(cid:134) den anden side den samlede mængde af mineralolie anvendt i det samme (cid:134)r; dette gælder dog kun indtil 40 % af den samlede lagerpligt for første og anden kategori (benzin og gasolie) og kun indtil 50 % for tredje kategori (fuelolier). Blandingsprodukter kan, n(cid:134)r de er bestemt til fremstil- ling af de i artikel 2 nævnte færdigprodukter, træde i stedet for de produkter, der skal fremstilles deraf. « 7) Artikel 6 ændres s(cid:134)ledes: a) Stk. 1 affattes s(cid:134)ledes: »1. Ved beregningen af den minimumsbehold- ning, der er nævnt i artikel 1, skal alene de behold- ninger, der er oplagret i overensstemmelse med artikel 3, stk. 1, medtages i den statistiske opgø- relse. « 31. 12. 98 DA De Europæiske Fællesskabers Tidende L 358/103 b) Stk. 2 affattes s(cid:134)ledes: »2. Med henblik p(cid:134) gennemførelsen af dette direktiv kan der, i henhold til aftaler mellem rege- ringer, p(cid:134) (cid:130)n medlemsstats omr(cid:134)de oprettes lagre p(cid:134) vegne af virksomheder eller særlige lagerorganisati- oner, der er etableret i en anden medlemsstat. Det er den p(cid:134)gældende medlemsstats regering, der træffer afgørelse om, hvorvidt en del af disse lagre skal oprettes uden for det nationale omr(cid:134)de. I s(cid:134)danne tilfælde kan den medlemsstat, p(cid:134) hvis omr(cid:134)de disse lagre er oprettet i henhold til en s(cid:134)dan aftale, ikke modsætte sig, at lagrene overføres til de andre medlemsstater, for hvis regning lagrene er oprettet i henhold til aftalen; medlemsstaten udøver kontrol med disse lagre i overensstemmelse med de procedurer, der er fastsat i aftalen, men medregner dem ikke i sin statistiske opgørelse. Den medlems- stat, regning lagrene er oprettet, kan medregne dem i sin statistiske opgørelse. for hvis i 4, en artikel tilfælde s(cid:134)danne indberetning I sender hver medlemsstat sammen med den statistiske opgørelse, der er til nævnt Kommissionen om de lagre, der opretholdes p(cid:134) dens eget omr(cid:134)de til brug for en anden medlems- stat, samt om de lagre, der opretholdes i andre medlemsstater I begge tilfælde anføres lagrenes placering og/eller de virksomheder, der opretholder lagrene, de oplagrede mængder og produktkategori — eller mineralolie — i indberet- ningen. til dens brug. Kommissionen skal gøres bekendt med udkast til s(cid:134)danne aftaler, som er nævnt i første afsnit, og den kan meddele de p(cid:134)gældende regeringer sine syns- punkter. N(cid:134)r aftalerne er indg(cid:134)et, skal de meddeles Kommissionen, andre medlemsstater herom. som underretter de Aftalerne skal opfylde følgende betingelser: — vedrøre mineralolie og alle mineraloliepro- dukter, som omfattes af dette direktiv — fastsætte vilk(cid:134)r og ordninger for opretholdelsen af lagre med det form(cid:134)l at sikre kontrollen med og r(cid:134)digheden over dem — angive fremgangsm(cid:134)derne for kontrol med og identifikationen af de omhandlede lagre, bl. a. de metoder, der skal anvendes ved gennemførelsen af og samarbejdet omkring inspektionerne — principielt varighed være indg(cid:134)et med ubegrænset — præcisere, at aftalen, s(cid:134)fremt den kan opsiges ensidigt, ikke m(cid:134) opsiges under en forsynings- krise, og at Kommissionen under alle omstæn- digheder skal underrettes forud for eventuel opsigelse. S(cid:134)fremt lagre, der er oprettet i henhold til s(cid:134)danne ikke ejes af den virksomhed eller den aftaler, særlige lagerorganisation, som er undergivet lager- pligten, men stilles til r(cid:134)dighed for denne virk- somhed eller denne særlige lagerorganisation af en anden virksomhed eller en anden særlig lagerorga- nisation, skal følgende betingelser overholdes: — den virksomhed eller den særlige lagerorganisa- tion, der har f(cid:134)et lagrene overdraget, skal have kontraktmæssig ret til at r(cid:134)de over lagrene i aftaleperioden; de nærmere regler for fastsæt- telsen af prisen for denne r(cid:134)dighed vedtages efter fælles overenskomst mellem parterne — minimumsperioden for en s(cid:134)dan aftale skal være 90 dage — lagerets placering og/eller de virksomheder, der stiller lagrene til r(cid:134)dighed for den virksomhed eller den særlige lagerorganisation, der har f(cid:134)et lagrene overdraget, og mængden og kategorien lagrede produkter eller mineralolie i det af p(cid:134)gældende lager skal specificeres — virksomheden eller den særlige lagerorganisa- tion, der stiller lagrene til r(cid:134)dighed for den virk- somhed eller den særlige lagerorganisation, der har f(cid:134)et lagrene overdraget, skal til enhver tid i hele aftaleperioden garantere, at den virk- somhed eller den særlige lagerorganisation, der lagrene overdraget, har adgang til har lagrene f(cid:134)et — virksomheden eller den særlige lagerorganisa- tion, der stiller lagrene til r(cid:134)dighed for den virk- somhed eller den særlige lagerorganisation, der har f(cid:134)et lagrene overdraget, skal være under- kastet lovgivningen i den medlemsstat, p(cid:134) hvis omr(cid:134)de lagrene er beliggende, for s(cid:134) vidt ang(cid:134)r til at denne medlemsstats kontrollere og fastsl(cid:134) lagrenes eksistens. « retlige beføjelser c) Stk. 3, andet afsnit, affattes s(cid:134)ledes: »Som følge heraf skal de statistiske opgørelser bl. a. ikke omfatte følgende: endnu ikke udvundet r(cid:134)olie p(cid:134) medlemsstatens eget omr(cid:134)de, bunkerleverancer transit til skibsfarten, leverancer direkte i L 358/104 DA De Europæiske Fællesskabers Tidende 31. 12. 98 bortset fra de lagre, der er nævnt i stk. 2, samt sig i olierørledninger, leverancer, der befinder motorkøretøjstankvogne, og jernbanetankvogne tanke ved detailsalgssteder og hos sm(cid:134)forbrugere. De statistiske opgørelser skal heller ikke omfatte mængder, som indehaves af de væbnede styrker, og mængder, der opbevares for de væbnede styrker af olieselskaberne. « 8) Følgende artikel indsættes: »Artikel 6a Medlemsstaterne vedtager de nødvendige bestem- melser og træffer alle nødvendige foranstaltninger for sikre kontrollen og tilsynet med lagrene. De at indfører mekanismer med henblik p(cid:134) at kontrollere lagrene i overensstemmelse med dette direktiv. « 9) Følgende artikel indsættes: »Artikel 6b Medlemsstaterne fastlægger de sanktioner, der skal anvendes i tilfælde af overtrædelse af de nationale bestemmelser, som vedtages i henhold til dette direktiv og træffer passende foranstaltninger til at sikre, at disse bestemmelser anvendes. Sanktionerne skal være effek- tive, st(cid:134) i rimeligt forhold til overtrædelsen og have en afskrækkende virkning. « 2. Disse love og bestemmelser skal ved vedtagelsen indeholde en henvisning til dette direktiv eller skal ved offentliggørelsen ledsages af en s(cid:134)dan henvisning. De nærmere regler for henvisningen fastsættes af medlems- staterne. Artikel 4 P(cid:134) grund af de særlige forhold i Grækenland tilst(cid:134)s Den Hellenske Republik en yderligere periode p(cid:134) tre (cid:134)r med henblik p(cid:134) at anvende dette direktivs krav vedrørende indberegning af bunkerleverancer til fly- trafik i det indenlandske forbrug; denne periode kan ikke forlænges. international Artikel 5 Kommissionen forelægger med jævne mellemrum R(cid:134)det en rapport om situationen vedrørende lagrene i Fælles- skabet, herunder eventuelt om behovet for harmonisering for at sikre en effektiv kontrol og et effektivt tilsyn med lagrene. Den første rapport forelægges for R(cid:134)det i løbet af det andet (cid:134)r efter den i artikel 3, stk. 1, fastsatte dato. Artikel 6 Dette direktiv træder i kraft p(cid:134) dagen for offentliggørelsen i De Europæiske Fællesskabers Tidende. Artikel 2 Artikel 7 Direktiv 72/425/EØF ophæves med virkning fra den 31. december 1999. Dette direktiv er rettet til medlemsstaterne. Artikel 3 Udfærdiget i Bruxelles, den 14. december 1998. 1. Medlemsstaterne sætter de nødvendige love og admi- nistrative bestemmelser i kraft for at efterkomme dette direktiv inden den 1. januar 2000. De underretter straks Kommissionen herom. P(cid:134) R(cid:134)dets vegne W. MOLTERER Formand


title: Reglamento (CE) nº 2703/98 de la Comisión de 14 de diciembre de 1998 relativo a la interrupción de la pesca de la faneca noruega por parte de los barcos que naveguen bajo pabellón de Dinamarca

eurovoc_concepts:
Denmark
Norway
authorised catch
fishing area
sea fish
ship's flag

text: 16. 12. 98 ES Diario Oficial de las Comunidades Europeas L 340/1 I (Actos cuya publicaci(cid:155)n es una condici(cid:155)n para su aplicabilidad) REGLAMENTO (CE) No 2703/98 DE LA COMISI(cid:222)N de 14 de diciembre de 1998 relativo a la interrupci(cid:155)n de la pesca de la faneca noruega por parte de los barcos que naveguen bajo pabell(cid:155)n de Dinamarca LA COMISI(cid:222)N DE LAS COMUNIDADES EUROPEAS, Visto el Tratado constitutivo de la Comunidad Europea, Visto el Reglamento (CEE) no 2847/93 del Consejo, de 12 de octubre de 1993, por el que se establece un r(cid:130)gimen de control aplicable a la pol(cid:146)tica pesquera com(cid:156)n (1), cuya (cid:156)ltima modificaci(cid:155)n la constituye el Reglamento (CE) no 2635/97 (2), y, en particular, el apartado 3 de su art(cid:146)culo 21, Considerando que el Reglamento (CE) no 47/98 del Consejo, de 19 de diciembre de 1997, por el que se reparten entre los Estados miembros determinadas cuotas de capturas de 1998 para los buques que faenen en la zona econ(cid:155)mica exclusiva noruega y en la zona pesquera en torno a Jan Mayen (3) establece, para 1998, las cuotas de faneca noruega; Considerando que, para garantizar el cumplimiento de las disposiciones relativas a las limitaciones cuantitativas de las capturas de una poblaci(cid:155)n sujeta a cuotas, es necesario que la Comisi(cid:155)n fije la fecha en la que se considere que las capturas efectuadas por barcos que naveguen bajo pabell(cid:155)n de un Estado miembro han agotado la cuota asignada; Considerando que, de acuerdo con la informaci(cid:155)n trans- mitida a la Comisi(cid:155)n, las capturas de faneca noruega en las aguas de la divisi(cid:155)n CIEM IV (aguas noruegas al sur de 62(cid:190) norte) efectuadas por barcos que naveguen bajo pabe- ll(cid:155)n de Dinamarca o est(cid:130)n registrados en Dinamarca han alcanzado la cuota asignada para 1998; que Dinamarca ha prohibido la pesca de esta poblaci(cid:155)n a partir del 16 de octubre de 1998; que es necesario, por consiguiente, atenerse a dicha fecha, HA ADOPTADO EL PRESENTE REGLAMENTO: Art(cid:146)culo 1 Se considera que las capturas de faneca noruega en las aguas de la divisi(cid:155)n CIEM IV (aguas noruegas al sur de 62(cid:190) norte) efectuadas por barcos que naveguen bajo pabe- ll(cid:155)n de Dinamarca o est(cid:130)n registrados en Dinamarca han agotado la cuota asignada a Dinamarca para 1998. Se proh(cid:146)be la pesca de la faneca noruega en las aguas de la divisi(cid:155)n CIEM IV (aguas noruegas al sur de 62(cid:190) norte) por parte de los barcos que naveguen bajo pabell(cid:155)n de Dina- marca o est(cid:130)n registrados en Dinamarca, as(cid:146) como el mantenimiento a bordo, el transbordo o el desembarco de peces de esta poblaci(cid:155)n capturados por los barcos mencionados, con posterioridad a la fecha de aplicaci(cid:155)n del presente Reglamento. Art(cid:146)culo 2 El presente Reglamento entrar(cid:145) en vigor el d(cid:146)a siguiente al de su publicaci(cid:155)n en el Diario Oficial de las Comuni- dades Europeas. Ser(cid:145) aplicable a partir del 16 de octubre de 1998. El presente Reglamento ser(cid:145) obligatorio en todos sus elementos y directamente aplicable en cada Estado miembro. Hecho en Bruselas, el 14 de diciembre de 1998. Por la Comisi(cid:155)n Emma BONINO Miembro de la Comisi(cid:155)n (1) DO L 261 de 20. 10. 1993, p. 1. (2) DO L 356 de 31. 12. 1997, p. 14. (3) DO L 12 de 19. 1. 1998, p. 58


title: Direktiva Sveta 98/92/ES z dne 14. decembra 1998 o spremembah Direktive 70/524/EGS o dodatkih v krmi in Direktive 95/69/ES o določitvi pogojev in podrobnejših določb za odobritev in registracijo določenih obratov in posrednikov, delujočih v sektorju krme za živali

eurovoc_concepts:
animal nutrition
food additive
food industry
health control
product quality
quasi-fiscal charge

text: 03/Zv. 24 SL Uradni list Evropske unije 209 31998L0092 22. 12. 1998 URADNI LIST EVROPSKIH SKUPNOSTI L 346/49 DIREKTIVA SVETA 98/92/ES z dne 14. decembra 1998 o spremembah Direktive 70/524/EGS o dodatkih v krmi in Direktive 95/69/ES o določitvi pogojev in podrobnejših določb za odobritev in registracijo določenih obratov in posrednikov, delujočih v sektorju krme za živali SVET EVROPSKE UNIJE JE Člen 6(2) se nadomesti z naslednjim: ob upoštevanju Pogodbe o ustanovitvi Evropske skupnosti in zlasti njenega člena 43, „2. Pred 1. aprilom 1999 sprejme Svet s kvalificirano večino na predlog Komisije pravila za izračunavanje višine pristojbine, navedene v odstavku 1. “ ob upoštevanju predloga Komisije (1), ob upoštevanju mnenja Evropskega parlamenta (2), ob upoštevanju mnenja Ekonomsko-socialnega odbora (3), ker člen 14 Direktive Sveta 95/69/ES (4) določa, da mora Svet sprejeti zneske pristojbin, ki se jih zaračuna za odobritev ustanov in njihovih posrednikov; ker člen 6 Direktive Sveta 70/524/EGS z dne 23. novembra 1970 o dodatkih v krmi (5) določa, da lahko država članica, ki deluje kot poročevalka, zaračuna pristojbino za pregled spisov, ki so v zvezi z odobritvijo dodatkov v krmi s strani Skupnosti; ker mora Svet določiti znesek te pristojbine; je pregled financiranja zadevnih služb v posameznih ker državah članicah pokazal, da bi bila določitev zneska pristojbin na ravni Skupnosti nesorazmerno velik poseg v obstoječe sisteme pristojbin, ki jih imajo države članice; ker se poleg tega stroški, ki jih imajo v državah članicah pri opravljanju takšnih storitev močno razlikujejo, še zlasti zaradi velikih razlik v stroških dela; ker bi se vseeno morali izdelati predpisi, da mora Svet določiti usklajena pravila za izračunavanje višine pristojbin, da bi se izognili motenju konkurence; ker se morajo ustrezne določbe v Direktivah 70/524/EGS in 95/69/ES ustrezno spremeniti, SPREJEL NASLEDNJO DIREKTIVO: Člen 1 Direktiva 70/524/EGS se spremeni, kot sledi: Člen 2 Direktiva 95/69/ES se spremeni, kot sledi: Člen 14 se nadomesti z naslednjim: „Člen 14 Svet sprejme s kvalificirano večino na predlog Komisije pred 1. aprilom 1999 pravila za izračunavanje višine pristojbine, ki se zaračuna za odobritev obratov in njihovih posrednikov. “ Člen 3 Države članice sprejmejo zakone in druge predpise, 1. potrebne za uskladitev s to direktivo, najpozneje do 31. marca 1999. O tem takoj obvestijo Komisijo. Države članice se v sprejetih predpisih sklicujejo na to direktivo ali pa naj sklic nanjo navedejo ob njihovi uradni objavi. Način sklicevanja določijo države članice. 2. Države članice predložijo Komisiji besedilo temeljnih predpisov nacionalne zakonodaje, sprejetih na področju, ki ga ureja ta direktiva. (1) UL C 155, 20. 5. 1998, str. 29. (2) UL C 292, 21. 9. 1998. (3) UL C 284, 14. 9. 1998, str. 91. (4) UL L 332, 30. 12. 1995, str. 15. (5) UL L 270, 14. 12. 1970, str. 1. Direktiva, kot je bila nazadnje spre- menjena z Direktivo št. 98/19/ES (UL L 96, 28. 3. 1998, str. 39). Člen 4 Ta direktiva začne veljati na dan njene objave v Uradnem listu Evropskih skupnosti. 210 SL Uradni list Evropske unije 03/Zv. 24 Ta direktiva je naslovljena na države članice. Člen 5 V Bruslju, 14. decembra 1998 Za Svet Predsednik W. MOLTERER


title: Решение на Съвета от 14 декември 1998 година относно сключване на споразумение между Европейската общност и правителството на Канада относно санитарните мерки за защита на общественото здраве и здравето на животните по отношение на търговия с живи животни и животински продукти

eurovoc_concepts:
Canada
agreement (EU)
animal product
health control
meat
public health

formats: fmx4 html pdf print xhtml

text: 70 BG Официален вестник на Европейския съюз 03/т. 27 31999D0201 18. 3. 1999 ОФИЦИАЛЕН ВЕСТНИК НА ЕВРОПЕЙСКИТЕ ОБЩНОСТИ L 71/1 РЕШЕНИЕ НА СЪВЕТА от 14 декември 1998 година относно сключване на споразумение между Европейската общност и правителството на Канада относно санитарните мерки за защита на общественото здраве и здравето на животните по отношение на търговия с живи животни и животински продукти (1999/201/EО) СЪВЕТЪТ НА ЕВРОПЕЙСКИЯ СЪЮЗ, като има предвид, че споразумението следва да се одобри от името на Общността, като взе предвид Договора за създаване на Европейската общност, и по-специално член 113 във връзка с член 228, параграф 2, първо изречение от него, РЕШИ: като взе предвид предложението на Комисията, Член 1 като има предвид, че в споразумението между Европейската общност и правителството на Канада относно санитарните мерки за опазване на общественото здраве и здравето на животните във връзка с търговията с живи животни и животински продукти се предвиждат подходящи средства за внедряване в практиката на разпоредбите на търговска организация за прилагане на санитарни и фитосанитарни мерки по отношение на опазване на общественото здраве и здравето на животните; споразумението на Световната споразумението ще допринесе като има предвид, че за улесняването на двустранната търговия между Европейската общност и Канада с живи животни и животински продукти посредством последователното признаване на еквивалентността на санитарните мерки, признаването на ветеринарно-санитарното състояние на животните, прилагането на регионализацията и подобряването на комуникацията и сътрудничеството; като има предвид, че е подходящо да се създадат разпоредби за процедура за създаване на тясно и ефективно сътрудничество между Комисията и държавите-членки в рамките на Постоянния ветеринарен комитет; Споразумението между Европейската общност и правителството на Канада относно санитарните мерки за защита на общественото здраве и здравето на животните по отношение на търговия с живи животни и животински продукти се одобрява от името на Общността. Текстът на споразумението и на приложенията към него са приложени към настоящото решение. Член 2 Председателят на Съвета е оправомощен да посочи лице/лица, упълномощено/и да подпише/ат споразумението от името на Общността с цел обвързването на Общността с него. Член 3 необходими настоящото Мерките, споразумение, включително гаранциите по отношение на прясното месо и продуктите на месна основа, еквивалентни на от формулираните в Директива 72/462/ЕИО на Съвета изпълнението на за 03/т. 27 BG Официален вестник на Европейския съюз 71 12 декември 1972 г. относно проблемите при здравните и санитарни инспекции при внос на говеда, овце и кози, свине, прясно месо или месни продукти от трети страни (1), ще бъдат създадени съгласно процедурата, определена в член 30 на посочената директива. Член 4 Комисията, подпомагана от представители на държавите-членки, представлява Общността в Съвместния управителен комитет, посочен в член 16, параграф 1 от Споразумението. Становището на Общността по въпросите, които предстои да се решават от този Съвместен управителен комитет, се съставя в рамките на съответните органи на Съвета в съответствие с разпоредбите на Договора. Измененията, към споразумението, произтичащи от препоръките на Съвместния приложенията подлежат които на управителен комитет, се приемат в съответствие с процедурата, определена в член 29 от Директива 72/462/ЕИО. Член 5 Настоящото решение се публикува в Официален вестник на Европейските общности. Настоящото решение влиза в сила в деня на публикуването му. Съставено в Брюксел на 14 декември 1998 година. За Съвета Председател W. MOLTERER (1) ОВ L 302, 31. 12. 1972 г. , стр. 28. Директива, последно изменена с Директива 97/79/ЕО (ОВ L 24, 30. 1. 1998 г. , стр. 31)