THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania, and in particular Article 4(3) thereof,
Having regard to the Act of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania, and in particular Article 42 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Commission Regulation (EC) No 2076/2002(1) and Commission Decisions 2001/245/EEC(2), 2002/928/EEC(3), and 2006/797/EC(4) contain provisions for the non-inclusion of certain active substances in Annex I to Directive 91/414/EEC and for the withdrawal by Member States of all authorizations for plant protection products containing those active substances. Those acts provide for derogations permitting the continued use of some of those substances for a limited period of time while alternatives are being developed.
(2) Bulgaria applied for transitional measures for certain active substances in order to ensure that the production may be phased out gradually or that a dossier satisfying the requirements of Directive 91/414/EEC may be submitted.
(3) Information has been presented and evaluated by the Commission together with Member States' experts which has shown a need for further use of the substances concerned. It is therefore justified to allow, under strict conditions aimed at minimising any possible risk, a longer period for the withdrawal of existing authorisations for essential uses for which no alternatives are currently available.
(4) Regulation (EC) 2076/2002 and Decisions 2001/245/EEC, 2002/928/EEC and 2006/797/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.
(5) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
OJ L 319, 23.11.2002, p. 3. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1335/2005, (OJ L 211, 13.8.2005, p. 6).
OJ L 322, 27.11.2002, p. 53. Decision as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1335/2005.