2004/391/EC: Commission Decision of 23 April 2004 on the advisory groups dealing with matters covered by the common agricultural policy
Date: 2004-04-23
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: advisory committee (EU), common agricultural policy

L 120/50

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

24.4.2004

COMMISSION DECISION

of 23 April 2004

on the advisory groups dealing with matters covered by the common agricultural policy

(2004/391/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

DECIDES:

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com-
munity,

Article 1

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

The Commission should seek the views of
socio-
economic sectors and consumers on matters arising in
connection with the operation of the various common
organisations of the market and other areas covered by
the common agricultural policy and by the policy of
rural development.

All the economic sectors directly involved in the opera-
tion of the market organisations and affected by agri-
cultural policy decisions, as well as consumers, should
have an opportunity to participate in drafting the
opinions requested by the Commission.

socio-economic

Relevant
and consumer
groups in the Member States have set up organisations
at Community level, which are thus in a position to
represent those concerned in all the Member States.

federations

An advisory structure dealing with agricultural
issues
exists since 1962. Following the reform of the common
agricultural policy in 1999 and 2003, and in the light of
the enlargement of the European Union in 2004, it is
necessary to review that structure. Commission Decision
98/235/EC of 11 March 1998 on the advisory groups
dealing with matters covered by the common agri-
cultural policy (1)
should therefore be repealed and
replaced by a new Decision.

In order to avoid confusion with the wording used in
Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying
down the procedures for the exercise of implementing
powers conferred on the Commission (2) for the advisory
committees,
to use the term
‘committees’ for designating the bodies to be set up by
this Decision,

is appropriate not

it

(1) OJ L 88, 24.3.1998, p. 59.
(2) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.

The following groups are set up under the auspices of the

1.
Commission:

(a) the advisory groups listed in Annex I;

(b) the working groups as provided for in Article 4 (1).

The advisory groups may be consulted by the Commis-
2.
sion on all matters relating to the common agricultural policy
and to the policy of rural development and its implementation,
and in particular the common organisations of the market and
the measures which the Commission is called on to take in that
context.

Article 2

1.
The groups provided for in Article 1 shall represent the
following socio-economic interest groups under the conditions
provided for in Article 3:

— agricultural producers and agricultural cooperatives,

— agricultural and food-manufacturing industries,

— agricultural products and foodstuffs trade,

— farm workers and workers in the food industry, consumers

and environmentalists.

In specific cases, other interest groups may be represented.

The composition of

2.
the advisory groups in terms of
number of seats allocated to each socio-economic interest
group is set out in Annex II.

Article 3

1.
The Commission shall invite the socio-economic organi-
sations established at Community level and listed in the
Commission's register of interest groups (hereinafter referred to
as ‘the socio-economic organisations’) to designate experts. The
socio-economic organisations must be those that are most
representative of the interests specified in Article 2(1), including
the social partners, and their activities must be connected with
the common agricultural policy and rural development.

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Official Journal of the European Union

L 120/51

In designating experts, the socio-economic organisations
2.
shall endeavour to ensure that the various interests in their
sector are represented.

The Commission may refuse the expert designated by the
3.
socio-economic organisation when this designation does not
seem appropriate, notably in the case of a conflict of interest.
In such a case, the Commission promptly informs the socio-
economic organisation, which as a result designates another
expert.

Article 6

1.
Participation in meetings of groups listed in Annex I shall
be limited to experts designated by the socio-economic organi-
sations in accordance with Article 3, within the limit of seats
allocated to each organisation as set out in Annex II. Commis-
sion representatives and persons invited in accordance with
paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 of this article may also attend. The chair-
person and the two vice-chairpersons attend the meetings as a
matter of course.

Article 4

1.
At the request of an advisory group and in agreement
with the Commission, one or more working groups may be set
up to examine specific questions. Such groups shall consist of
experts in the field designated by the socio-economic organisa-
tions. The provisions of Article 3 (3) apply.

2.
The Commission shall designate and invite experts to
attend meetings of the working groups referred to in paragraph
1 when appropriate.

The Commission shall chair the meetings of working

3.
groups referred to in paragraph 1.

Article 5

After consultation of

the Commission, each advisory
1.
group at its first meeting, after the date of application of this
decision and at its first meeting after the term of two years
provided for in paragraph 3, shall elect a chairperson among
its experts as follows:

(a) in the case of the first ballot, by a two thirds majority of

the experts present;

(b) in the case of subsequent ballots, by a simple majority of
the experts present; in the event of a tie, the Commission
shall provide a chairperson on a temporary basis.

2.
Each advisory group at its first meeting shall elect two
vice chairpersons, in accordance with the procedure laid down
in paragraph 1. The vice chairpersons shall be chosen among
the representatives of other socio-economic sectors than the
one to which the chairperson belongs, subject to derogations
to be provided for by the Commission.

3.
The chairperson and the two vice-chairpersons shall serve
a term of two years which shall be renewable. The chairperson
shall not serve more than two consecutive terms.

4. When choosing a new chairperson,
the group should
ensure that he/she does not originate from the same socio-
economic sector as his/her predecessor.

The

socio-economic organisations

2.
inform the
Commission about their designation of experts at least three
working days before the meeting.

shall

3.
At the request of an organisation to which one or more
seats in a group are allocated, the chairperson of the group
invite the general
may,
secretary of
that organisation to attend meetings as an
observer.

in agreement with the Commission,

However, if the general secretary of an organisation is unable
to attend, he may assign his observer's seat to another person
designated by him.

Observers in meetings shall not have the right to speak.
4.
They may, however, be invited to do so by the chairperson in
agreement with the Commission.

At the request of an organisation to which one or more
5.
seats are allocated, and when the matters on the agenda are of
a highly technical nature, the chairperson of a group may, in
agreement with the Commission,
invite experts other than
those referred in paragraph 1 to take part in the deliberations
of the group.

The Commission may, on its own initiative, invite any person
suitably qualified in one of the subjects on the agenda to take
part in the deliberations of the group on that subject as an
expert.

Experts invited pursuant to this paragraph shall participate only
in the discussion and deliberations on the matter for which
they are invited.

6.
Travelling expenses incurred by experts in the context of
group meetings are refunded by the Commission in accordance
with the regulations in force. The Commission reserves the
right to derogate from this rule. Experts and observers shall not
be remunerated for their services.

Article 7

The chairperson is responsible for the compilation in a

5.
report of an accurate summary record of the meetings.

1. Meetings of groups shall be convened by the Commission
and shall generally take place at the Commission's main offices.

The Commission may amend the chairperson's draft report
prior to its distribution and subsequent approval by the group.

The Commission provides secretarial services for the

2.
groups.

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Official Journal of the European Union

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Article 8

Article 10

The chairperson in cooperation with the Commission, and in
consultation with the other interests represented on the group,
shall determine the items to be included on the agenda for the
advisory groups at least 25 working days before the group
meets. The Commission shall send out agendas to the socio-
economic organisations as a general rule 20 working-days
before the meeting, preferably by electronic means.

The chairperson of each group may propose, on his own initia-
tive or at the request of any of the interest groups represented,
that
the Commission consult his/her group on any matter
within its competence.

Without prejudice to Article 287 of the Treaty, where the
Commission indicates that the opinion requested or question
raised involves a matter of a confidential nature, participants in
meetings shall be required not to disclose information which
has come to their knowledge through the work of the group in
question.

Article 11

Decision 98/235/EC is repealed.

Article 9

Article 12

The advisory groups shall discuss the matters on which the
Commission has requested an opinion. When seeking an
opinion of a group, the Commission may set a time limit
within which the opinion shall be given.

No vote shall take place at the end of the discussion of the
advisory groups. If a group reaches unanimous agreement on
the opinion to be given,
it shall formulate joint conclusions
and attach them to the summary report.

The Commission shall communicate the outcome of a group's
discussions to the Council if proposed by the group.

This Decision shall apply from 1 May 2004.

Done at Brussels, 23 April 2004.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

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Official Journal of the European Union

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ANNEX I

1. ADVISORY GROUP ON COMMON AGRICULTURAL POLICY

2. ADVISORY GROUP ON CEREALS, OILSEEDS AND PROTEINS

3. ADVISORY GROUP ON DRIED FODDER

4. ADVISORY GROUP ON STARCH

5. ADVISORY GROUP ON SEEDS

6. ADVISORY GROUP ON SUGAR

7. ADVISORY GROUP ON RICE

8. ADVISORY GROUP ON ENERGY AND NON-FOOD CROPS

9. ADVISORY GROUP ON COTTON

10. ADVISORY GROUP ON FLAX AND HEMP

11. ADVISORY GROUP ON MILK

12. ADVISORY GROUP ON BEEFMEAT

13. ADVISORY GROUP ON SHEEPMEAT AND GOATMEAT

14. ADVISORY GROUP ON PIGMEAT

15. ADVISORY GROUP ON POULTRYMEAT AND EGGS

16. ADVISORY GROUP ON BEEKEEPING

17. ADVISORY GROUP ON FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

18. ADVISORY GROUP ON FLOWERS AND ORNAMENTAL PLANTS

19. ADVISORY GROUP ON WINE-GROWING

20. ADVISORY GROUP ON SPIRIT DRINKS

21. ADVISORY GROUP ON OLIVES AND DERIVED PRODUCTS

22. ADVISORY GROUP ON TOBACCO

23. ADVISORY GROUP ON HOPS

24. ADVISORY GROUP ON FORESTRY AND CORK

25. ADVISORY GROUP ON THE QUALITY OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

26. ADVISORY GROUP ON ORGANIC FARMING

27. ADVISORY GROUP ON PROMOTION OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

28. ADVISORY GROUP ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT

29. ADVISORY GROUP ON WOMEN IN RURAL AREAS

30. ADVISORY GROUP ON AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT

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Official Journal of the European Union

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ANNEX II

1. ADVISORY GROUP ON THE COMMON AGRICULTURAL POLICY

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

Workers

Consumers

Environmentalists

Others

30

8

8

5

5

3

2

2. ADVISORY GROUP ON CEREALS, OILSEEDS AND PROTEIN CROPS

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

Workers

Consumers

Environmentalists

25

8

8

1

1

2

3. ADVISORY GROUP ON DRIED FODDER

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

8

2

5

4. ADVISORY GROUP ON STARCH

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

6

3

6

5. ADVISORY GROUP ON SEEDS

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

Workers

Consumers

11

4

4

1

1

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Official Journal of the European Union

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6. ADVISORY GROUP ON SUGAR

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

Workers

Consumers

Environmentalists

20

5

8

1

2

1

7. ADVISORY GROUP ON RICE

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

Environmentalists

8

5

4

1

8. ADVISORY GROUP ON ENERGY AND NON FOOD CROPS

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

Workers

Consumers

Environmentalists

17

5

6

1

1

2

9. ADVISORY GROUP ON COTTON

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

8

3

4

10. ADVISORY GROUP ON FLAX AND HEMP

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

8

3

4

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Official Journal of the European Union

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11. ADVISORY GROUP ON MILK

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

Workers

Consumers

Environmentalists

22

6

8

1

1

1

12. ADVISORY GROUP ON BEEFMEAT

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

Workers

Consumers

Environmentalists

23

6

6

1

1

1

13. ADVISORY GROUP ON SHEEPMEAT AND GOATMEAT

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

Workers

Environmentalists

22

5

4

1

1

14. ADVISORY GROUP ON PIGMEAT

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

Workers

Consumers

Environmentalists

23

6

8

1

1

1

15. ADVISORY GROUP ON POULTRYMEAT AND EGGS

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

Workers

Consumers

25

6

6

1

1

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Official Journal of the European Union

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16. ADVISORY GROUP ON BEEKEEPING

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

8

3

2

17. ADVISORY GROUP ON FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

Workers

Consumers

Environmentalists

Others

27

8

6

2

2

2

1

18. ADVISORY GROUP ON FLOWERS AND ORNAMENTAL PLANTS

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Workers

Consumers

Others

14

9

1

1

1

19. ADVISORY GROUP ON WINE-GROWING

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

Workers

Consumers

Others

20

7

6

1

1

1

20. ADVISORY GROUP ON SPIRIT DRINKS

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

Workers

Consumers

6

3

8

1

1

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21. ADVISORY GROUP ON OLIVES AND DERIVED PRODUCTS

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

Workers

Consumers

Environmentalists

16

6

6

1

1

1

22. ADVISORY GROUP ON TOBACCO

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

Workers

Consumers

14

6

6

1

1

23. ADVISORY GROUP ON HOPS

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

Workers

12

7

5

1

24. ADVISORY GROUP ON FORESTRY AND CORK

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Producers

Traders

Industry

Workers

Consumers

Environmentalists

28

2

11

3

1

4

25. ADVISORY GROUP ON THE QUALITY OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

Workers

Consumers

Environmentalists

Others

14

4

4

2

4

1

4

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26. ADVISORY GROUP ON ORGANIC FARMING

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

Workers

Consumers

Environmentalists

Others

9

3

3

1

3

1

7

27. ADVISORY GROUP ON PROMOTION OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

Consumers

Others

15

7

5

2

1

28. ADVISORY GROUP ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

Workers

Consumers

Environmentalists

Others

27

5

5

4

3

6

10

29. ADVISORY GROUP ON WOMEN IN RURAL AREAS

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

Workers

Consumers

Others

7

1

1

1

2

2

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30. ADVISORY GROUP ON AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT

INTERESTS REPRESENTED (Article 2 (1))

Seats (Article 2 (2))

Farmers and Agricultural Cooperatives

Traders

Industry

Workers

Consumers

Environmentalists

21

4

4

2

2

8