On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the production and marketing of forest reproductive material, amending Regulations (EU) 2016/2031 and 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Council Directive 1999/105/EC (Regulation on forest reproductive material)
A-9-2024-0142
Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development · Rapporteur: Herbert Dorfmann
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Parliament's amended version of the proposed regulation on forest reproductive material (FRM) sets rules for production and marketing, including approval of basic material, traceability, certification, labelling, packaging, imports, and contingency plans.¶¶ It aims to ensure high-quality, genetically diverse FRM adapted to climate change, and to support forest resilience and biodiversity.¶¶¶ The amended text strengthens the role of competent authorities in authorising professional operators, issuing master certificates, and overseeing labelling, while allowing operators more flexibility under official supervision.¶¶¶ It requires member states to establish contingency plans for FRM supply and to maintain national lists of issued master certificates.¶¶¶ The text also sets conditions for imports from third countries, requiring equivalence with Union standards.¶¶
Committee position. The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development proposes to amend the Commission proposal to strengthen the role of competent authorities, improve traceability and labelling, and ensure genetic diversity.¶¶¶
Key points
- The regulation applies to FRM of tree species and artificial hybrids listed in Annex I, with a view to being marketed.¶
- FRM must be derived from approved basic material and marketed by professional operators in accordance with rules on identity, quality, and labelling.¶¶¶
- For conservation purposes, a maximum number of trees should be kept, and professional operators may notify basic material to the competent authority instead of seeking approval.¶¶
- Professional operators must provide the competent authority and potential buyers with information on FRM identity and suitability for climatic and ecological conditions.¶¶
- Member states must draw up contingency plans for FRM supply, including cross-border cooperation and technical support from the Commission.¶¶¶
- Traceability must be ensured from collection to marketing, with prior notification of harvesting and records submitted to the competent authority.¶
- Master certificates attest that FRM is derived from approved basic material; member states must keep national lists of issued certificates.¶¶
- Official labels may be printed by the competent authority or by authorised professional operators under official supervision, and must include supplier and recipient details.¶¶¶
- Seed units must be marketed in sealed packages that become unserviceable once opened, with packaging adapted to prevent putrefaction.¶
- Imports from third countries are allowed only if equivalence with Union requirements is established, based on examination of standards.¶
- Member states may adopt stricter production requirements if they do not restrict free movement of conforming FRM.¶
Who is affected
- Professional operators producing or marketing forest reproductive material must comply with new authorisation, traceability, and labelling rules.¶¶¶
- Competent authorities in member states are responsible for approving basic material, issuing master certificates, and supervising labelling.¶¶¶
- Buyers of forest reproductive material will receive more detailed information on identity and suitability.¶¶
- Member states must prepare contingency plans for forest reproductive material supply.¶
Figures and deadlines
- Forests cover some 45% of the land area in the Union.¶
Legal basis: Article 294(2) and Article 43(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union¶