Presidential Decree No. 698 regulating the implementation of Detective No. 92/33/EEC on the trade of vegetable seedlings and relevant propagation material except seeds.

The Decree applies to the trade of vegetable seedlings and propagating material within the European Union. It establishes powers and duties of national authorities at different levels. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Resources is responsible at the national level for the coordination of administrative, technical and scientific activities pertaining to the implementation of the Directive. The regional plant protection services, established by Legislative Decree No. 536 of 30 December 1992, exercise functions regarding the following: (a) implementation of Community Directives relevant to the trade of vegetable seedlings and propagating material, except seeds; (b) control of suppliers and issuance of the authorizations required; (c) inspections of authorized laboratories; (d) report to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Resources on the issuance and withdrawal of the authorizations. Article 9 makes provisions for the establishment of an advisory committee to give technical advices on seedlings and propagating material.