COMMISSION DECISION of 8 September 1995 on the Community's financial contribution to a programme for the control of organisms harmful to plants and plant products in the French overseas departments for 1995 (Only the French text is authentic) (95/382/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3763/91 of 16 December 1991 introducing specific measures in respect of certain agricultural products for the benefit of the French overseas departments (1), as amended by Commission Regulation (EEC) No 3714/92 (2), and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 11 (3) thereof,
Whereas Commission Decision 93/522/EEC (3) defines what measures are eligible for Community financing as regards programmes for the control of organisms harmful to plants and plant products in the French overseas departments, the Azores and Madeira;
Whereas the specific agricultural production conditions in the French overseas departments call for particular attention; whereas action must be taken or reinforced as regards crop production, and in particular in its phytosanitary aspects;
Whereas the action to be taken or reinforced in phytosanitary matters is exceptionally costly;
Whereas the action programme has been presented to the Commission by the relevant French authorities; whereas this programme specifies the objectives to be achieved, the measures to be carried out, their duration and their cost so that the Community may, in appropriate circumstances, contribute to their financing;
Whereas the Community's financial contribution may cover up to 60 % of eligible expenditure, protective measures for bananas being excluded;
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
The Community's financial contribution to the official programme for the control of organisms harmful to plants and plant products in the French overseas departments presented by France for 1995 is hereby approved.
Article 2
The official programme is made up of four sub-programmes:
1. a sub-programme drawn up for the department of Guadeloupe in five parts:
- reinforcement of the work of the FDGDCEC (Departmental Federation of Crop Protection Groups),
- control of yam anthracnose,
- a fruit fly survey,
- reinforcement of an agricultural information network,
- pest risk assessment and establishment of flower quarantine facilities;
2. a sub-programme drawn up for the department of Guyana in four parts:
- reinforcement of the work of the FDGDCEC (Department Federation of Crop Protection Groups),
- reinforcement of analysis and diagnosis structures,
- put in place a strategy for the integrated control of fruit flies,
- a study on harmful organisms on rice.
3. a sub-programme for the department of Reunion in three parts:
- the establishment of a phytosanitary analysis unit,
- reinforcement of the resources of the FDGDCEC (Departmental Federation of Crop Protection Groups),
- a survey on fruit fly control;
4. a sub-programme for the department of Martinique in three parts:
- development of detection methods for harmful organisms,
- development of integrated control in market gardens,
- reinforcement of the resources of the FDGDCEC (Department Federation of Crop Protection Groups).
Article 3
The Community contribution to financing the programme is limited for 1995 to ECU 950 000 for expenditure related to eligible measures as defined by Decision 93/522/EEC out of a total expenditure of ECU 1 674 855 (VAT excluded).
The schedule of programme costs and their financing is set out as Annex I to this Decision. Should the total eligible expenditure for 1995, as presented by France, be less than the anticipated amount of ECU 1 674 855, the Community's contribution shall be reduced proportionately.
The Community reimbursement shall be effected up to the amount indicated in the first paragraph, at the rate of the ecu as at 1 June 1995, namely ECU 1 = FF 6,56833.
Article 4
An advance of ECU 190 000 shall be paid to France.
Article 5
The Community assistance shall relate to the eligible measures associated with the operations covered by the programme set up in France by provisions for which the necessary financial resources have been committed between 1 October and 31 December 1995. The final date for payments in connection with the operations shall be 30 September 1996, and any non-compliance without justification of delay shall entail loss of entitlement to Community financing.
Article 6
Provisions for the financial implementation of the programme, provisions on compliance with Community policies and the information to be supplied to the Commission by France are set out in Annex II.
Article 7
Any public contracts in connection with investments covered by the programme referred to in this Decision shall be governed by Community law and in particular by the Directives coordinating procedures for awarding public works and supply contracts, and by Articles 30, 52 and 59 of the Treaty.
Article 8
This Decision is addressed to the French Republic.
Done at Brussels, 8 September 1995.