Granting equivalence with EU requirements to Moldova and Ukraine as regards field inspections and production of seed

The European Parliament adopted by 374 votes to 176, with 36 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 the equivalence of field inspections carried out in the Republic of Moldova on fodder plant seed-producing crops and on the equivalence of fodder plant seed produced in the Republic of Moldova, and as regards the equivalence of field inspections carried out in Ukraine on beet seed-producing crops and oil plant seed-producing crops and on the equivalence of beet seed and oil plant seed produced in Ukraine.

Parliament supported at first reading the Commission's proposal to update Council Decision 2003/17/EC with a view to granting equivalence to certain non-EU countries as regards field inspections and production of seed of certain species that are carried out in accordance with Council Directives 66/401/EEC, 66/402/EEC, 2002/54/EC, 2002/55/EC and 2002/57/EC.

The Republic of Moldova has been included in the list of non-EU countries since 2018. Similarly, Ukraine joined this list in 2020 for seeds of different agricultural crops.

The Commission examined the relevant legislation of Ukraine and Moldova, carried out audits of the official control and seed certification systems and published its findings in a report.

Following the receipt of additional documentation from the Republic of Moldova, the Commission considered that all recommendations made in the audit report had been addressed in a satisfactory manner.