Vine: marketing of material for the vegetative propagation (amend. Directive 68/193/EEC and repeal. Directive 74/649/EEC)

PURPOSE : to amend Directive 68/193/EEC on the marketing of material for the vegetative propagation of the vine. CONTENT : this Directive contains a number of provisions allowing the Member States to make unilateral exemptions from some of the rules. With a view to consolidating the Internal Market, these provisions should be repealed so as to remove all real or potential barriers to trade likely to prevent the free movement of vine propagating material. This proposal is designed for that purpose. At the same time, in light of the experience and scientific progress, the proposal refines and updates various provisions of the Directive, particularly to take account of new types of material (herbaceous cuttings and material produced using micro propagation techniques). Furthermore, it creates a legal basis to take account of developments in the area of genetically modified varieties (Council Directive 90/220/EEC) and refers to Regulation 258/97/EC in connection with novel foods. This proposal has no implications in terms of subsidiarity, since it is based on Article 37 of the Treaty establishing the European Community and is thus within the exclusive competence of the Community. Action at Community level is justified because this proposal mainly concerns the harmonisation of technical checks carried out by the Member States. The proposal also seeks to update the procedure for close cooperation between Member States and the Commission within a Standing Committee but goes further than aligning the text with Council Decision 1999/468/EC. Lastly, the proposal has no financial implications for the Community budget.�