Equivalence of field inspections carried out and equivalence of seed produced: period of application; in Bolivia on cereal and oil and fibre plant seed-producing crops, and of cereal seed and oil and fibre plant seed

The European Parliament adopted by 549 votes to 3, with 78 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Decision 2003/17/EC as regards its period of application and as regards the equivalence of field inspections carried out in Bolivia on cereal seed-producing crops and oil and fibre plant seed-producing crops and on the equivalence of cereal seed and oil and fibre plant seed produced in Bolivia.

Parliament adopted its position at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure by taking over the Commission proposal.

The proposed Decision aims to grant equivalence in respect of field inspections of seed producing crops of sorghum, maize and sunflower carried out in Bolivia and in respect of seed of sorghum, maize and sunflower produced in Bolivia and officially certified by its authorities.

As Decision 2003/17/EC expires on 31 December 2022, the period for which equivalence is recognised under that Decision is extended by 7 years (until 31 December 2029) in order to avoid any risk of disruption of seed imports into the Union.

In 2016, Bolivia submitted a request to the Commission for the granting of equivalence to its system of field inspections of seed-producing crops and to seed of Sorghum spp. (sorghum), Zea mays (maize) and Helianthus annuus (sunflower) produced and certified in Bolivia.

The Commission assessed the relevant legislation of Bolivia, carried out an audit in 2018 concerning the system of official controls of seed production and seed certification of sorghum, maize and sunflower in Bolivia, and their equivalence with Union requirements. The audit showed that there is a well-organised seed production and certification system exists in Bolivia. The Commission found some shortcomings and made recommendations to Bolivia. As of 30 November 2018, Bolivia had remedied these shortcomings.