Commission Regulation (EC) No 1332/2000 of 23 June 2000 derogating from Regulation (EC) No 2316/1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1251/1999 establishing a support system for producers of certain arable crops

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1332/2000
of 23 June 2000
derogating from Regulation (EC) No 2316/1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1251/1999 establishing a support system for producers of certain arable crops
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1251/1999 of 17 May 1999 establishing a support system for producers of certain arable crops(1), as amended by Regulation (EC) No 2704/1999(2), and in particular Article 9 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Commission Regulation (EC) No 2316/1999(3) lays down detailed rules for the application of Regulation (EC) No 1251/1999 as regards the conditions governing area payments for certain arable crops. Article 3(1)(c) lays down that the areas concerned must be maintained, until at least the beginning of flowering, under conditions of normal growth.
(2) The exceptional weather conditions which have affected certain regions of Spain, with a severe drought between autumn 1999 and spring 2000, have not permitted a normal flowering cycle in the crops in question and the producers concerned risk losing direct payments because they have not fulfilled the requirement on flowering.
(3) Article 19(2) and (3) lays down that areas set aside must so remain for a period commencing on 15 January at the latest and ending on 31 August at the earliest and must not, except where otherwise provided for, be used for agricultural production or for any lucrative purpose. The drought in Austria and Germany is affecting the supply of fodder and exposing producers to heavy income losses by forcing them to sell their livestock when their usual supplies of feed cannot be guaranteed. Temporary alternatives should therefore be found by authorising the use of set-aside land for arable crops, while providing for measures to ensure that use of the land concerned is not lucrative.
(4) The situation described above justifies derogations from the requirements concerning flowering and the use of set-aside land laid down in Regulation (EC) No 2316/1999.
(5) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Cereals,