L 86/48 Official Journal of the European Union 3.4.2003 COMMISSION DECISION of 2 April 2003 amending Decision 74/360/EEC as regards the United Kingdom's exemption from applying to hemp (Cannabis sativa) Council Directive 2002/57/EC on the marketing of seed of oil and fibre (notified under document number C(2003) 1055) (Only the English text is authentic) (2003/234/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, (4)  The measures provided for in this Decision are in accor- Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Directive 2002/57/EC of 13 June 2002 on the marketing of seed of oil and fibre plants (!), as last amended by Directive 2002/68/EC (3), and in particular Article 28(b) thereof, Whereas: (1) Under Commission Decision 74/360/EEC (°) the United Kingdom was released from the obligation to apply to, inter alia, hemp (Cannabis sativa) provisions of Council Directive 69/208/EEC of 30 June 1969 on the marketing of seed of oil and fibre plants (¥), which has been replaced by Directive 2002/57[EC. (2)  The United Kingdom has informed the Commission that the availability of improved varieties of hemp in the EU Common Catalogue suitable for growing conditions in the United Kingdom has led to the propagation of hemp seed becoming an established practice. (3)  The exemption applying to hemp should therefore be revoked and Decision 74/360/EEC should be amended accordingly. dance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Seeds and Propagating Material for Agriculture, Horticul- ture and Forestry, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 In Article 1 of Decision 74/360/EEC, point (b) is deleted. Atticle 2 This Decision is addressed to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Done at Brussels, 2 April 2003. For the Commission David BYRNE Member of the Commission () OJ L 193, 20.7.2002, p. 74. () OJ L 195, 24.7.2002, p. 32. () OJL196,19.7.1974, p. 18. () OJL169,10.7.1969, p. 3.