1. The collection of wild seaweeds and parts thereof, growing naturally in the sea, is considered as an organic production method provided that:
(a)
the growing areas are of high ecological quality as defined by Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (15) and, pending its implementation, of a quality equivalent to designated waters under Directive 2006/113/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on the quality required of shellfish waters (16), and are not unsuitable from a health point of view. Pending more detailed rules to be introduced in implementing legislation, wild edible seaweeds shall not be collected in areas which would not meet the criteria for Class A or Class B areas as defined in Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 854/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying down specific rules for the organisation of official controls on products of animal origin intended for human consumption (17);
(b)
the collection does not affect the long term stability of the natural habitat or the maintenance of the species in the collection area.
2. The farming of seaweeds shall take place in coastal areas with environmental and health characteristics at least equivalent to those outlined in paragraph 1 in order to be considered organic. In addition to this:
(a)
sustainable practices shall be used in all stages of production, from collection of juvenile seaweed to harvesting;
(b)
to ensure that a wide gene-pool is maintained, the collection of juvenile seaweed in the wild should take place on a regular basis to supplement indoor culture stock;
(c)
fertilisers shall not be used except in indoor facilities and only if they have been authorised for use in organic production for this purpose under Article 16.
3. The measures necessary for the implementation of production rules contained in this Article shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 37(2).