Brussels, 28/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - France, Cyprus and Poland have still not come into line with Community legislation on fruit plant propagating material. The Commission has, therefore, sent them each a reasoned opinion, the second stage of the infringement procedure, formally asking them to take action to comply with EU law within a period of two months. If nothing is done to come into line, the Commission may decide to refer the member states to the European Court of Justice.
Member states were supposed to have transposed Directive 2008/90/EC by March 31, 2010, but France, Cyprus and Poland have failed to do so. This directive sets out the rules on the marketing of fruit plant propagating material. The term “propagating material” refers to seeds and plant parts that are used to reproduce plants. Cultivation of fruit plants plays an important part in the agricultural activity of the European Union. Production of healthy, high-quality fruit depends to a large extent on the standard of the material used for fruit plant cultivation. Healthy, high-quality fruit means a more competitive EU producer and a citizen with good-quality options. (L.C./transl.rt)