Brussels, 29/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - Following discussion with the French authorities, the European Commission has decided to refer France to the European Court of Justice for its ban on the parallel import of plant protection products, since the French procedure in force since 2001, although it allows in principle for parallel imports, is not proportionate in all respects. The Commission considers that several provisions in the French law create obstacles to cross-border trade. It explains in a press release that parallel imports are a lawful form of trade in nearly identical products marketed in different Member States but with variable prices. For example, some plant protection products which are sold cheaper in other Member States than in France and farmers who intend purchasing such cheaper, but identical plant protection products, have to face a number of bureaucratic hurdles when importing them to France. (ol)