COMMISSION DECISION of 16 February 1989 on improving the efficiency of agricultural structures in the Federal Republic of Germany pursuant to Regulation (EEC) No 797/85 (Only the German text is authentic) (89/155/EEC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 797/85 of 12 March 1985 on improving the efficency of agricultural structures (1), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 1137/88 (2), and in particular Article 25 (3) thereof,

Whereas the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, pursuant to Article 24 (4) of Regulation (EEC) No 797/85, forwarded the provisions of the Land of Schleswig-Holstein for encouraging the conversion of arable land into grassland in order to prevent the pollution of underground water;

Whereas, pursuant to Article 25 (3) of Regulation (EEC) No 797/85, the Commission has to decide whether the conditions for a financial contribution from the Community to the common measure referred to in Title V of the said Regulation are satisfied in the light of the compatibility of the abovementioned provisions with the aforementioned Regulation and bearing in mind the objectives of the latter and the need to ensure that the various measures are properly related;

Whereas, under Title V of Regulation (EEC) No 797/85, Member States may introduce in those areas which are particularly sensitive from the point of view of the protection of the environment and of natural resources and from the point of view of the maintenance of the landscape and the countryside, measures to contribute towards the introduction or the maintenance of compatible farming practices;

Whereas these measures involve the grant of an annual premium per hectare to farmers who undertake, under a specific programme for a demarcated area, to apply, for at least five years, specific farming practices;

Whereas the provisions forwarded satisfy the objectives of Title V of Regulation (EEC) No 797/85;

Whereas, the provisions adopted by the Land of Schleswig-Holstein relate to the demarcation of areas sensitive from the point of view of the protection of the environment ; whereas they determine adequately the conditions under which farming practices compatible with the requirements of the protection of those areas are to be carried out ; whereas the amount of the aid is fixed by reference to the undertaking entered into by farmers and the income losses resulting therefrom ; whereas they therefore satisfy the conditions and the objectives of Title V of Regulation (EEC) No 797/85;

Whereas the EAGGF Committee has been consulted on the financial aspects;

Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Agricultural Structure,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The provisions adopted by the Land of Schleswig-Holstein to encourage the conversion of arable land into grassland in order to prevent pollution of underground water and forwarded by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany pursuant to Article 24 (4) of Regulation (EEC) No 797/85 satisfy the conditions for a Community financial contribution to the scheme referred to in Titel V of the said Regulation.

Article 2

This Decision is addressed to the Federal Republic of Germany.

Done at Brussels, 16 February 1989.

For the Commission

Ray MAC SHARRY

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ No L 93, 30.3.1985, p. 1. (2) OJ No L 108, 29.4.1988, p. 1.