9.2.2006 Official Journal of the European Union L 38/17 COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 217/2006 of 8 February 2006 laying down rules for the application of Council Directives 66/401/EEC, 66/402/EEC, 2002/54/EC, 2002/55/EC and 2002/57[EC as regards the authorisation of Member States to permit temporarily the marketing of seed not satisfying the requirements in respect of the minimum germination (Text with EEA relevance) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Directive 66/401/EEC of 14 June 1966 on the marketing of fodder plant seed (), and in particular Article 17(3) thereof, Having regard to Council Directive 66/402/EEC of 14 June 1966 on the marketing of cereal seed (3, and in particular Article 17(3) thereof, Having regard to Council Directive 2002/54/EC of 13 June 2002 on the marketing of beet seed (}), and in particular Article 24(3) thereof, Having regard to Council Directive 2002/55/EC of 13 June 2002 on the marketing of vegetable seed (¥, and in particular Article 38(3) thereof, Having regard to Council Directive 2002/57/EC of 13 June 2002 on the marketing of seed of oil and fibre plants (°), and in particular Article 21(3) thereof. Whereas: (1)  Pursuant to Directives 66/401/EEC, 66/402[EEC, 2002/54[EC, 2002/55/EC and 2002/57/EC, seed can be marketed only where the requirements in respect of the minimum germination capacity have been met, or in cases where the quantity of available seed which satisfies the germination capacity requirements is insuf- ficient, the Commission has permitted, for a limited period, the marketing of prescribed maximum quantities of seed which does not satisfy the requirements laid down in those directives in respect of the minimum germination capacity. (2)  The process of granting the authorisations is currently too slow. (3) In order to simplify and accelerate the authorisation procedure while ensuring that the Commission and the () OJ 125, 11.7.1966, p. 2298/66. Directive as last amended by Directive 2004/117[EC (O] L 14, 18.1.2005, p. 18). (® O] 125, 11.7.1966, p. 2309/66. Directive as last amended by Directive 2004/117/EC. () OJ L 193, 20.7.2002, p. 12. Directive as last amended by Directive 2004/117EC. ( OJ L 193, 20.7.2002, p. 33. Directive as last amended by Directive 2004/117EC. () OJ L 193, 20.7.2002, p. 74. Directive as last amended by Directive 2004/117EC. Member States have all the information necessary to evaluate and respond to the application, a consultation procedure between the Commission and the Member State appears to be the appropriate instrument. (4)  The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Seeds and Propagating Material for Agri- culture, Horticulture and Forestry, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 1. This Regulation lays down the rules applying to requests by Member States for authorisation to permit temporarily the marketing of seed which does not satisfy the requirements in respect of minimum germination made under: (a) Article 17(1) of Directive 66/401/EEC; (b) Article 17(1) of Directive 66/402[EEC; (c) Article 24(1) of Directive 2002/54/EC; (d) Article 38(1) of Directive 2002/55/EC; and (e) Article 21(1) of Directive 2002/57EC. 2. This Regulation does not apply to the marketing of ‘basic seeds’ as defined by the Directives referred to in paragraph 1. Article 2 1. A Member State which is affected by supply difficulties and wishes to permit temporarily the marketing of seed which does not satisfy the requirements in respect of minimum germi- nation (hereinafter ‘the requesting Member State’) shall submit to the Commission a request setting out the information referred to in Article 3. At the same time the other Member States shall be notified by the requesting Member State. Contact points shall be designated by each Member State.