COMMISSION DECISION of 19 July 1996 on the Community's financial contribution to a programme for the control of organisms harmful to plants and plant products in the Azores for 1996 (Only the Portuguese text is authentic) (96/492/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1600/92 of 15 June 1992 introducing specific measures in respect of certain agricultural products for the benefit of the Azores and Madeira (1), as last amended by the Commission Regulation (EC) No 2537/95 (2), and in particular Article 33 (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 agricultural production conditions in the Azores call for particular attention, and action must be taken or reinforced as regards crop production, in particular the phytosanitary aspects for this region;
Whereas action to be taken or reinforced on the phytosanitary side is particularly costly;
Whereas the programme of action has been presented to the Commission by the relevant Portuguese 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 contribute to financing them;
Whereas the Community's financial contribution may cover up to 75 % of eligible expenditure, protective measures for bananas excluded;
Whereas the technical information provided by Portugal has enabled the Standing Committee on Plant Health to analyse the situation accurately and comprehensively;
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 on the Azores presented for 1996 by the relevant Portuguese authorities is hereby approved.
Article 2
The official programme shall relate to the control of Popillia Japonica New on the island of Terceira in order to avoid its spread to other parts of the Community and to progressively tend to its total eradication on this island.
Article 3
The Community contribution to financing the programme is limited to 75 % maximum expenditure on eligible measures as defined by Decision 93/522/EEC, and is set for 1996 at ECU 500 000 out of total expenditure of ECU 667 246 (VAT excluded).
The schedule of programme costs and their financing is set out as Annex I to this Decision. If the total eligible expenditure for 1996 presented by Portugal was less than the forecast amount of ECU 667 246, the Community's contribution would be reduced in proportion.
The Community will reimburse up to the amount specified in the first paragraph, at the financial rate of the ecu on 1 March 1996, i.e. ECU 1 = Esc 196,329.
Article 4
An advance of ECU 200 000 shall be paid to Portugal.
Article 5
The Community assistance shall relate to the eligible measures associated with the operations covered by the programme set up in Portugal by provisions for which the necessary financial resources have been committed between 1 August and 31 December 1996. The final date for payments in connection with the operations shall be 31 July 1997, and non-compliance without justification of delay shall entail loss of entitlement to Community financing.
In the case where a request for extension of the final date for payment is necessary, the responsible official authorities have to introduce this request before the final date and present the justification concerning this request.
Article 6
Specific provisions relating to the financing of the programme, provisions on compliance with Community policies and the information to be provided by Portugal shall be set out in Annex II.
Article 7
Public contracts in connection with investments covered by this Decision must be awarded in compliance with Community law, in particular the Directives coordinating procedures for awarding public works and supply contracts, and Articles 30, 52 and 59 of the EC Treaty.
Article 8
This Decision is addressed to the Portuguese Republic.
Done at Brussels, 19 July 1996.