6. 6. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 142/37 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION _ COMMISSION DECISION of 2 May 1991 authorizing Germany to provide for exceptions from certain provisions of Council Directive 77/93/EEC, in respect of growing medium originating in the Soviet Union (Only the German text is authentic) (91/278/EEC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, Having regard to Council Directive 77/93/EEC of 21 December 1976 on protective measures against the intro- duction into the Member States of organisms harmful to plants or plant products ('), as last amended by Commis- sion Directive 91/27/EEC (?), and in particular Article 14 (3) thereof, Having regard to the request made by Germany, Whereas, under the provisions of Directive 77/93/EEC, growing medium as such, as defined in Annex V, item § (a) thereof, may not in principle be introduced into the Community, because of the risk of introducing soil-borne harmful organisms, if it originates in the Soviet Union ; Whereas, however, Article 14 (3) of the said Directive permits exceptions from that rule, provided that it is esta- blished that there is no risk of spreading harmful orga- nisms ; Whereas in certain cases it may be desirable for certain growing medium to be introduced from the Soviet Union for the purpose of use in horticulture and agriculture ; () OJ No L 26, 31. 1. 1977, p. 20. () OJ No L 16, 22. 1. 1991, p. 29. Whereas the introduction of such potentially dangerous material should only be permitted provided that certain conditions are complied with ; Whereas Germany should be authorized to provide for exceptions in respect of the introduction of growing medium under specified conditions ; Whereas the measures provided for in. this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plant Health, ‘ HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION : Article 1 1. Germany is hereby authorized to provide, under the conditions laid down in paragraph 2, for exceptions, for the purpose of use in horticulture and agriculture, from Article 4 (1) of Directive 77/93/EEC with regard to the prohibition on the introduction of growing medium referred to in Part A, item 12 to Annex III thereto. ! 2. For the purposes of paragraph 1, the following conditions shall be satisfied : (a) the growing medium shall originatev in the area of Leningrad ; (b) the growing medium shall be made or composted coniferous bark ; .