21.5.98 Official Journal of the European Communities L 151/35 COMMISSION DECISION of 14 May 1998 authorising the Member States to permit temporarily the marketing of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) not satisfying the requirements of Council Directive 69/208/EEC (98/342/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Directive 69/208/EEC of 30 June 1969 on the marketing of seed of oil and fibre plants ('), as last amended by Directive 96/72/EC (%), and in particular Article 16 thereof, Having regard to the request submitted by Finland, Whereas in Finland the production of seed of linseed (Linum wusitatissimum L.), variety Helmi, satisfying the requirements of Directive 69/208/EEC in relation to minimum germination capacity has been insufficient in 1997 and is therefore not adequate to meet this country’s needs; whereas this is an early variety (growing time in the applicant country 106 days) suitable for northern growing conditions and having grain with a very low clorophyll content to be used for medicinal purposes; Whereas it is not possible to cover this demand satisfact- orily with seed from other Member States, or from third countries, satisfying all the requirements laid down in the said Directive; Whereas Finland should therefore be authorised to permit for a period expiring on 30 June 1998 the marketing of seed of the abovementioned species subject to less strin- gent requirements; Whereas, moreover, other Member States which are able to supply Finland with such seed not satisfying the requirements of the Directive should be authorised to permit the marketing of such seed; Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Seeds and Propagating Material for Agriculture, Horti- culture and Forestry, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 Finland is authorised to permit, for a period expiring on 30 June 1998 the marketing in its territory of a maximum of 140 tonnes of seed of the categories ‘certified seed of the first generation’ or ‘certified seed of the second gen- eration’ of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.), variety Helmi, which do not satisfy the requirements laid down in Annex II to Directive 69/208/EEC with regard to the minimum germination capacity, provided that the ger- mination capacity is at least 70 % of pure seed and the official label bears the endorsement ‘minimum germina- tion capacity 70 %’. Article 2 Member States other than the applicant Member State are also authorised to permit, on the terms set out in Article 1 and for the purposes intended by the applicant Member State, the marketing in their territories of the seed author- ised to be marketed under this Decision. Article 3 Member States shall immediately notify the Commission and the other Member States of the various quantities of seed labelled and permitted to be marketed in their ter- ritories pursuant to this Decision. Article 4 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 14 May 1998. For the Commission Hans VAN DEN BROEK Member of the Commission () OJ L 169, 10. 7. 1969, p. 3. OJ L 304, 27. 11. 1996, p. 10.