L 28/42 Official Journal of the European Communities 4.2.98 COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 27 January 1998 extending the period referred to in Article 15(2a) of Directive 66/403/EEC on the marketing of seed potatoes (98/111/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Directive 66/403/EEC of 14 June 1966 on the marketing of seed potatoes ('), as last amended by Commission Decision 97/90/EC (*), and in particular Article 15(2a) thereof, Whereas in principle, with effect from certain dates, Member States may no longer determine for themselves the equivalence of seed potatoes harvested in third coun- tries with seed potatoes harvested within the Community and complying with that Directive; Whereas, however, since work to establish Community equivalence for all the third countries concerned had not been completed, Article 15(2a) of that Directive permitted Member States to extend to 31 March 97 the period of validity of equivalence decisions which they had already taken for certain countries not covered by the Community equivalence; Whereas the said work is still incomplete; Whereas the authorisation may only be extended in accordance with Member States’ obligations under the common rules on plant health, laid down by Council Directive 77/93/EEC (%), as last amended by Commission Directive 97/14/EC (*); 1 () OJ 125, 11. 7. 1966, p. 2320/66. () OJ L 27, 30. 1. 1997, p. 49. ¢) OJ L 26, 31. 1. 1977, p. 20. () OJ L 87, 2. 4. 1997, p. 17. Whereas by Commission Decision 98/92/EC (°) deroga- tions provided for by certain Member States from certain provisions of Directive 77/93/EEC in respect of seed potatoes originating in Canada have been authorised until 31 March 1998; Whereas the authorisation granted to Member States by Article 15(2a) should accordingly be extended; Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Seeds and Propagating Material for Agri- culture, Horticulture and Forestry, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 In Article 15(2a) of Directive 66/403/EEC, the date ‘31 March 1997 is replaced by ‘31 March 1998’ Article 2 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 27 January 1998. For the Commission Franz FISCHLER Member of the Commission () OJ L 18, 23. 1. 1998, p. 30.