20.7.2002 Official Journal of the European Communities L 193/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2002/53EC of 13 June 2002 on the common catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 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 (%), Having consulted the Economic and Social Committee, Whereas: (1) Council Directive 70[457[EEC of 29 September 1970 on the common catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species (?) has been frequently and substantially amended (). For reasons of clarity and rationality the said Directive should be codified. (2)  The production of agricultural seed and young plants occupies an important place in the agriculture of the Community. (3)  For this reason, the Council has adopted Directives concerning respectively the marketing of beet seed (2002/54/EC) (%), fodder plant seed (66/401/EEC) (°), cereal seed (®), seed potatoes (2002/56/EC) () and seed of oil and fibre plants (2002/57/EC) (&). (4 A common catalogue of varieties needs to be compiled. This catalogue can be compiled only on the basis of national catalogues. (*) Opinion delivered on 9 April 2002 (not yet published in the Official Journal). () OJ 225, 12.10.1970, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive 98/96/EC (OJ L 25, 1.2.1999, p. 27). (®) See Annex I, Part A. (*) See page 12 of this Official Journal. () O] 125, 11.7.1966, p. 2298/66. Directive as last amended by Directive 2001/64/EC (O] L 234, 1.9.2001, p. 60). (®) OJ 125, 11.7.1966, p. 2309/66. Directive as last amended by Directive 2001/64/EC. (') See page 60 of this Official Journal. (®) See page 74 of this Official Journal. ©) (1) (13) All Member States should therefore compile one or more national catalogues of the varieties accepted for certification and marketing in their territory. These catalogues must be drawn up in accordance with uniform rules so that the varieties accepted will be distinct, stable and sufficiently uniform and that they will be of satisfactory value for cultivation and use. It is appropriate to take into consideration internationally established rules for certain provisions relating to the acceptance of varieties at national level. In order to carry out the examinations for the acceptance of a variety, a large number of uniform criteria and minimum requirements must be laid down. Provisions relating to the length of time during which acceptance of a variety is to remain valid, to the grounds on which acceptance may be revoked and to practices for maintenance of the variety must be standardized and the Member States should inform one another of the acceptance and withdrawal of varieties. It is desirable to adopt rules in relation to the suitability of varietal denominations and the exchange of information between Member States. Seed covered by this Directive should be freely marketable within the Community once it has been published in the common catalogue. However, Member States should be given the right to express by means of a special procedure any objections which they may have to a variety. The Commission should publish in the Official Journal of the European Communities, C Series, the varieties which are being added to the common catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species. Provision should be made for measures recognizing the equivalence of examinations and checks of varieties carried out in third countries.