19.8.91 Official Journal of the European Communities - No L 230/1 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 15 July 1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market (91/414/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 43 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and. Social Committee (3), Whereas plant production has a very important place in the Community; Whereas plant production yields are continually affected by harmful organisms including weeds; whereas it is absolutely essential to protect plants against these risks to prevent a decline in yields and to help to ensure security of supplies; Whereas one of the most important ways of protecting plants and plant products and of improving agricultural production is to use plant protection products; Whereas these plant protection products can have non-beneficial effects upon plant production; whereas their use may involve risks and hazards for humans, animals and the environment, especially if placed on the market without having been officially tested and authorized and if incorrectly used; ’ (1) OJ No C 89, 10. 4. 1989, p. 22. (2) O] No C 72, 18. 3. 1991, p. 33. (*) O] No C 56, 7. 3. 1990, p. 3. Whereas, in view of the hazards, there are rules in most Member States governing the authorization of plant health products; whereas these rules present differences which constitute barriers not only to trade in plant protection products but also to trade in plant products, and thereby directly affect the establishment and operation of the internal market; Whereas it is therefore desirable to eliminate such barriers by harmonizing the provisions laid down in the Member States;- Whereas uniform rules on the conditions and procedures for the authorization of plant protection products must be applied by the Member States; Whereas such rules should provide that plant protection products should not be put on the market or used unless they habe been officially authorized and should be used properly having regard to the principles of good plant protection practice and of integrated pest control; ' Whereas the provisions governing authorization must ensure a high standard of protection, which, in particular, must prevent the authorization of plant protection products whose risks to health, groundwater and the environment and human and animal health should take priority over the objective of improving plant production; Whereas it is necessary, at the time when plant protection products are authorized, to make sure that, when properly applied for the purpose intended, they are sufficiently effective and have no unacceptable effect on plants or plant products, no unacceptable influence on the environment in general and, in particular, no harmful effect on human or animal health or on groundwater;