Commission Regulation (EC) No 466/2004 of 12 March 2004 amending Regulation (EC) No 2125/2003 as regards the deadline for decisions by the competent national authorities on operational programmes and funds

Commission Regulation (EC) No 466/2004
of 12 March 2004
amending Regulation (EC) No 2125/2003 as regards the deadline for decisions by the competent national authorities on operational programmes and funds
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 of 28 October 1996 on the common organisation of the market in fruit and vegetables(1), and in particular Article 48 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Commission Regulation (EC) No 2125/2003 of 3 December 2003 derogating from Regulation (EC) No 1433/2003 with regard to decisions by the competent national authorities on operational programmes and funds(2) waives, for 2003, the deadline of 15 December laid down in Articles 13 and 14 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1433/2003 of 11 August 2003 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 as regards operational funds, operational programmes and financial assistance(3), and permits Member States to take the decisions provided for in Articles 13 and 14 no later than 31 January 2004.
(2) On account of excessive administrative work, some Member States were unable to draw up all their programmes and take decisions relating to them by the new deadline of 31 January 2004. In order to avoid harming operators and to enable the national authorities to continue drawing up the programmes, this deadline should be postponed until 15 March 2004.
(3) Given the urgency of the situation, it is essential that this Regulation take effect immediately.
(4) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables,