Commission of the European Communities v Kingdom of the Netherlands. [1989] EUECJ C-43/88 (31 May 1989)

Commission of the European Communities v Kingdom of the Netherlands. [1989] EUECJ C-43/88 (31 May 1989)

The Netherlands' requirement for traders to affiliate with supervisory bodies for the import/export of plant propagation material contravenes EU regulations and Treaty provisions, and internal legal justifications are not acceptable grounds for non-compliance.

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[1989] EUECJ C-43/88
Parties
Applicant: Commission of the European Communities; Defendant: Kingdom of the Netherlands
Jurisdiction
European Union
Procedural Posture
Failure of a State to Fulfil Its Obligations (article 169 EEC Treaty) / Judgment
Outcome
Declaration of failure to fulfil obligations; order to pay costs
Legal Topics
State Obligations, Free Movement of Goods, Supervision of Plant Propagation Material, Affiliation Requirements
European Union Law Administrative Law State Obligations Free Movement of Goods Supervision of Plant Propagation Material Affiliation Requirements

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Commission of the European Communities

Applicant

Kingdom of the Netherlands

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Failure of a State to Fulfil Its Obligations (article 169 EEC Treaty) / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the Kingdom of the Netherlands failed to fulfil its obligations under Regulation No 234/68, Regulation No 2358/71, and Articles 30 to 34 of the EEC Treaty by requiring affiliation to supervisory bodies for import/export of plant propagation material.

Ratio Decidendi

The Netherlands' requirement for traders to affiliate with supervisory bodies for the import/export of plant propagation material contravenes EU regulations and Treaty provisions, and internal legal justifications are not acceptable grounds for non-compliance.

Court Disposition

Declaration of failure to fulfil obligations; order to pay costs

Orders

  • Declared that the Kingdom of the Netherlands failed to fulfil its obligations under Regulation No 234/68, Regulation No 2358/71, and Articles 30 to 34 of the EEC Treaty by requiring affiliation to supervisory bodies for import/export of plant propagation material.
  • Ordered the Kingdom of the Netherlands to pay the costs.