Article 4
Council Directive 66/403/EEC of 14 June 1966 on the marketing of seed potatoes (3), as last amended by Directive 77/648/EEC (4), shall be amended as follows: 1. The following Article shall be added: "Article 5 The Member States shall require that, for the examination of seed potato tubers for certification, samples are taken officially in accordance with appropriate methods." 2. Article 9 (1) shall be replaced by the following: "1. Member States shall require that packages and containers of basic seed potatoes and certified potatoes be sealed officially or under official supervision in such a manner that they cannot be opened without damaging the system of closing or leaving evidence of tampering on either the official label provided for in Article 10 (1) or the package. In order to ensure closure, the sealing system shall comprise at least either the abovementioned label or the affixing of an official seal. The measures provided for in the second subparagraph above shall not be necessary where a non-reusable sealing system is used. In accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 19 it may be established whether a particular sealing system complies with the provisions of this paragraph." 3. In the first sentence of Article 9 (2), the words "or under official supervision" shall be inserted after "officially". 4. Article 10 shall be replaced by the following: "Article 10 1. Member States shall require that packages and containers of basic seed potatoes and certified seed potatoes: (1)OJ No 125, 11.7.1966, p. 2309/66. (2)OJ No L 113, 25.4.1978, p. 13. (3)OJ No 125, 11.7.1966, p. 2320/66. (4)OJ No L 261, 14.10.1977, p. 21. (a) be labelled on the outside with an official label which has not previously been used, which fulfils the conditions laid down in Annex III and the particulars of which are provided in one of the official languages of the Community. The colour of the label shall be white for basic seed potatoes and blue for certified seed potatoes. When a label with a string-hole is used, its attachment shall be ensured in all cases with an official seal. The use of official adhesive labels shall be authorized. In accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 19, the indelible printing of the prescribed particulars on the package in accordance with the label model may be authorized under official supervision; (b) contain an official document, in the same colour as the label, providing at least the label particulars required under Annex III (A) (3), (4) and (6). This document shall be drawn up in such a manner that it cannot be confused with the official label referred to under (a). This document shall not be necessary if the particulars are printed indelibly on the, package or if, in accordance with the provisions under (a), an adhesive label or a label of tear resistant material is used. 2. The Member States may provide for derogations from paragraph 1 in the case of small packages where they are marked : "Passed for marketing in ..." (Member State concerned) only." 5. In Article 13 (1), the words "marked and sealed officially or under official supervision" shall replace "officially marked and sealed". 6. In Article 13 (4) (c), the following shall be added after the indent "lot reference number": "- month and year of sealing." 7. In Annex III (A), the following shall be added: "3a. month and year of sealing." 8. In Annex III (A), point 9 shall be deleted.