1.The Council, acting by a qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, shall determine whether:
(a)in the case provided for in Article 18, the field inspections in the third country satisfy the conditions laid down in Annex I;
[F1(b) seed of oil and fibre plants which has been harvested in a third country and affords the same assurances as regards its characteristics and the arrangements for its examination, for ensuring its identity, for marking and for control is equivalent in these respects to seed harvested within the Community and complying with the provisions of this Directive.]
2.Paragraph 1 shall also apply in respect of any new Member State from the date of its accession to the date on which it is to bring into force the laws, regulations or administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive.