Council Regulation (EEC) No 457/85 of 19 February 1985 laying down implementing rules for 1985 for Regulation (EEC) No 3331/82 on food-aid policy and food-aid management

COUNCIL  REGULATION (EEC) No 457/85
of 19 February 1985
laying down implementing rules for 1985 for Regulation (EEC) No 3331/82 on food-aid policy and food-aid management
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN
COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3331/82 (1), and in particular the first, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh indents of Article 4 (1) and Article 4 (2) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),
Whereas, in order to implement Regulation (EEC) No 3331/82, it is necessary to determine the total quantities of each product to be supplied under the food-aid programmes in compliance with the Community's international commitments;
Whereas the Community has entered into certain commitments under the Food Aid Convention;
Whereas the Community has also entered into certain commitments under the Convention between the European Economic Community and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on aid to refugees in the countries of the Near East (3);
Whereas a list of the countries and organizations eligible for food-aid operations should be drawn up without prejudice to emergency operations;
Whereas provision should also be made for the possibility of making food aid available to non-governmental organizations; whereas the latter must meet certain conditions guaranteeing the successful execution of food-aid operations;
Whereas the basic and derived products which may be supplied under food-aid operations should be determined by taking account, in particular, of the available stocks of the products in question;
Whereas general criteria should also be established for the transport of food aid beyond the fob stage, taking into account the financial and geographical situation of the countries concerned and the channels and intermediaries via which the aid will be dispatched; whereas account should also be taken to this end of the need to ensure that the effectiveness of the food-aid operations is increased;
Whereas, in order to ensure that the objectives of food-aid operations are attained, it is furthermore necessary to stipulate that aid is granted only where the recipients undertake to comply with the supply terms laid down by the Commission;
Whereas the methods of mobilizing, transporting and delivering the products should be specified; whereas it is also necessary to determine the procedure for mobilizing the products outside the Community;
Whereas the Commission must be able to take all the measures necessary for the proper execution of food-aid programmes and operations; whereas, to this end, Member States must provide the Commission with all the assistance required and, in particular, with all relevant information;
Whereas, in certain circumstances and subject to appropriate conditions, multiannual food-aid programmes can make a positive contribution to the development of the recipient country; whereas, however, it is not intended to lay down multiannual quantities of food aid;
Whereas this Regulation could be re-examined at a later date, in the light, in particular, of objective factors concerning the needs of potential beneficiaries, and on the basis of a Commission proposal,