1.2.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities L2511 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 98/95/EC of 14 December 1998 amending, in respect of the consolidation of the internal market, genetically modified plant varieties and plant genetic resources, Directives 66/400/EEC, 66/401/EEC, 66/402/EEC, 66/403/EEC, 69/208/EEC, 70/457/EEC and 70/458/EEC on the marketing of beet seed, fodder plant seed, cereal seed, seed potatoes, seed of oil and fibre plants and vegetable seed and on the common catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 43 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (3), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), (1) Whereas, for the reasons given below, the following Directives on the marketing of seed and propagating material should be amended: — Council Directive 66/400/EEC of 14 June 1966 on the marketing of beet seed (*), — Council Directive 66/401/EEC of 14 June 1966 on the marketing of fodder plant seed (°), — Council Directive 66/402/EEC of 14 June 1966 on the marketing of cereal seed (%), 1 (1) OJ C 29, 31.1.1994, p. 1, and OJ C 53, 20.2.1995, p. 8. (3) OJ C 286, 22.9.1997, p. 36. () OJ C 195, 18.7.1994, p. 36. (*) OJ 125, 11.7.1966, p. 2290/66. Directive as last amended by Directive 96/72/EC (O] L 304, 27.11.1996, p. 10). (°) OJ 125, 11.7.1966, p. 2298/66. Directive as last amended by Directive 96/72/EC. () OJ 125, 11.7.1966, p. 2309/66. Directive as last amended by Directive 96/72/EC. — Council Directive 66/403/EEC of 14 June 1966 on the marketing of seed potatoes (7), — Council Directive 69/208/EEC of 30 June 1969 on the marketing of seed of oil and fibre plants (), — Council Directive 70/457/EEC of 29 September 1970 on the common catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species(’), — Council Directive 70/458/EEC of 29 September 1970 on the marketing of vegetable seed (1%); (2) Whereas, in the context of the consolidation of the internal market, it is necessary to amend or repeal certain provisions of the said Directives in order to remove any actual or potential barriers to trade which may hinder the free movement of seeds within the Community; whereas, to this end, any possibilities for Member States to derogate unilaterally from the provisions of the said Directives should be removed; (3) Whereas, for the same reasons, the scope of the said Directives should be enlarged to cover also the production of seed, with a view to marketing; (7) OJ 125, 11.7.1966, p. 2320/66. Directive as last amended by Commission Decision 98/111/EC (OJ L 28, 4.2.1998, p. 42). (®) OJ L 169, 10.7.1969, p. 3. Directive as last amended by Directive 96/72/EC. (°) OJ L 225, 12.10.1970, p. 1. Directive as last amended by the 1994 Act of Accession. (1) OJ L 225, 12.10.1970, p. 7. Directive as last amended by Directive 96/72/EC.