2004/869/EC:Council decision of 24 February 2004 concerning the conclusion, on behalf of the European Community, of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

• Articles: 3

Article 1

The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (hereinafter referred to as the "International Treaty"), which was adopted by the FAO Conference at its 31st Session in November 2001, is hereby approved on behalf of the Community.

The text of the International Treaty is attached to this Decision as Annex A.

Article 2

1. The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person or persons empowered to deposit, on behalf of the Community, the instrument of approval and the declarations set out in Annex B and C to this Decision with the Director-General of the FAO, in accordance with Articles 26 and 34 of the International Treaty.

2. Member States shall endeavour to take the necessary steps with a view to depositing their instruments of ratification or approval simultaneously with those of the European Community and the other Member States and as far as possible not later than 31 March 2004.

3. If, at that date, one or more Member States are not in a position to deposit their instruments of approval, the Community and the other Member States may proceed with the deposit.

Article 3

1. In a dispute settlement procedure as provided for by Article 22 of the International Treaty, the Community shall be represented by the Commission.

2. Where the Community or one or more Member States are party to the same dispute or involved in different disputes in which the same or similar legal issues are raised, the Commission and the Member States concerned shall defend their interests together, drawing up a cohesive legal and factual body of argument, in accordance with Community and national spheres of competence.

Done at Brussels, 24 February 2004.

For the Council

The President

J. Walsh

[1] Opinion delivered on 29 January 2004 (not yet published in the Official Journal).

[2] OJ L 309, 13.12.1993, p. 1.

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