L 205/28 Official Journal of the European Union 1.8.2008 DIRECTIVES COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2008/72/EC of 15 July 2008 on the marketing of vegetable propagating and planting material, other than seed (Text with EEA relevance) (Codified version) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, (6)  In so far as they relate to plant health, such harmonised Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 37 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament ('), Whereas: (1) Council Directive 92/33/EEC of 28 April 1992 on the marketing of vegetable propagating and planting material, other than seed (}) has been substantially amended several times (*). In the interests of clarity and rationality the said Directive should be codified. (2)  The production of vegetables occupies an important place in agriculture in the Community. (3)  Satisfactory results in the cultivation of vegetables depend to a large extent on the quality and plant health not only of the seed, which is already covered by Council Directive 2002/55/EC of 13 June 2002 on the marketing of vegetable seed (*), but also of the vegetable planting material used for their propagation. (4)  The different treatment accorded to vegetable propa- gating and planting material in different Member States is likely to create barriers to trade and thus hinder the free movement of these products within the Community. (5)  Harmonised conditions at Community level should ensure that purchasers throughout the Community receive vegetable propagating and planting material which is healthy and of good quality. (") Opinion of 11 March 2008 (not yet published in the Official Journal). () O] L 157, 10.6.1992, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Commission Decision 2007/699/EC (O] L 284, 30.10.2007, p. 33). (}) See Annex III, Part A. ( O] L 193, 20.7.2002, p. 33. Directive as last amended by Commission Directive 2006/124/EC (O] L 339, 6.12.2006, p. 12). conditions must be consistent with Council Directive 2000/29/EC of 8 May 2000 on protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community (%). (7)  Without prejudice to the plant health provisions of Directive 2000/29/EC, it is not appropriate to apply the Community rules on the marketing of vegetable propagating and planting material when it is shown that such products are intended for export to third countries, as the rules applicable there may be different from those contained in this Directive. (8)  The determination of plant health and quality standards for each genus and species of vegetable plant requires lengthy and detailed technical and scientific consi- deration. A procedure should accordingly be established for that purpose. (9)  In the first instance it is the responsibility of the suppliers of vegetable propagating and planting material to ensure that their products fulfil the conditions laid down in this Directive. (10)  The competent authorities of the Member States should, when carrying out controls and inspections, ensure that suppliers fulfil those conditions. (11)  Community control measures should be provided for to ensure the uniform application in all the Member States of the standards laid down in this Directive. (12) It is in the interests of the purchasers of vegetable propa- gating and planting materials that the name of varieties be known and their identity safeguarded. () O] L 169, 10.7.2000, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Commission Directive 2008/64/EC (O] L 168, 28.6.2008, p. 31).