3.7.2003 Official Journal of the European Union L 165/23 COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2003/61/EC of 18 June 2003 amending Directives 66/401/EEC on the marketing of fodder plant seed, 66/402/EEC on the marketing of cereal seed, 68/193/EEC on the marketing of material for the vegetative propagation of the vine, 92/33/EEC on the marketing of vegetable propagating and planting material, other than seed, 92/34/EEC on the marketing of propagating and planting material of fruit plants, 98/56/EC on the marketing of propagating material of ornamental plants, 2002/54/EC on the marketing of beet seed, 2002/55/EC on the marketing of vegetable seed, 2002/56/EC on the marketing of seed pota- toes and 2002/57/EC on the marketing of seed of oil and fibre plants as regards Community comparative tests and trials THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com- munity, and in particular Article 37 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (%), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (°), Whereas: (1)  The Commission is required to ensure that, in appro- priate cases, arrangements for coordinating, carrying out and inspecting the Community comparative tests and trials are made in accordance with the procedures laid down in the following provisions: Directive 66/401/EEC (¥), and in particular Article 20(3) thereof, Directive 66/402/EEC (), and in particular Article 20(3) thereof, Directive 68/193/EEC (), and in particular Article 16(3) thereof, Directive 92/33/EEC ('), and in particular Article 20(4) thereof, Directive 92/34[EEC (¥), and in particular Article 20(4) thereof, Directive 98/56/EC (°), and in particular Article 14(4) thereof, and Directive 2002/54/EC (%), and in particular Article 26(3) thereof, () O] C 20 E, 28.1.2003, p. 208. (¥ Opinion of 10 April 2003 (not yet published in the Official Journal). () O] C 85, 8.4.2003, p. 43. (*) OJ 125, 11.7.1966, p. 2298/66. Directive as last amended by Direc- tive 2001/64/EC (O] L 234, 1.9.2001, p. 60). () OJ 125, 11.7.1966, p. 2309/66. Directive as last amended by Direc- tive 2001/64/EC. () OJ L 93, 17.4.1968, p. 15. Directive as last amended by Directive 2002/11/EC (O] L 53, 23.2.2002, p. 20). () OJ L 157, 10.6.1992, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 806/2003 (O] L 122, 16.5.2003, p. 1). (®) OJ L 157, 10.6.1992, p. 10. Directive as last amended by Regula- tion (EC) No 806/2003. () OJ L 226, 13.8.1998, p. 16. Directive as amended by Regulation (EC) No 806/2003. (%) OJ L 193, 20.7.2002, p. 12. Directive 2002/55/EC ('), and in particular Article 43(3) thereof, Directive 2002/56/EC (*3), and in particular Article 20(3) thereof, and Directive 2002/57EC (*¥), and in particular Article 23(3) thereof. (2)  These necessary arrangements implied in the past years that a Community contribution for the execution of the above Community comparative tests and trials had been decided. (3)  Tests and trials should be organised for species and under conditions listed by the above Directives irrespec- tive whether the provisions are mandatory or discre- tionary. (4)  Tests and trials should cover in particular seed and propagating material harvested in third countries, seed and propagating material suitable for organic farming and seed and propagating material marketed in relation to the conservation in situ and the sustainable use of plant genetic resources. (5) It is moreover appropriate to harmonise the drafting of the relevant articles of the above Directives. (6)  In the interest of transparency a clear legal basis for the Community financial contribution is needed. Provisions for Community financial measures for carrying out the Community comparative tests and trials which involve compulsory Community budget expenditure should therefore be made, () OJ L 193, 20.7.2002, p. 33. (") OJ L 193, 20.7.2002, p. 60. Directive as amended by Commission Decision 2003/66/EC (O] L 25, 30.1.2003, p. 42). () OJ L 193, 20.7.2002, p. 74. Directive as amended by Directive 2002/68/EC (O] L 195, 24.7.2002, p. 32).