Commission Regulation (EC) No 673/97 of 17 April 1997 laying down detailed rules governing the grant of private storage aid for Kefalotyri and Kasseri cheeses

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 673/97 of 17 April 1997 laying down detailed rules governing the grant of private storage aid for Kefalotyri and Kasseri cheeses
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 804/68 of 27 June 1968 on the common organization of the market in milk products (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1587/96 (2), and in particular Articles 9 (3) and 28 thereof,
Whereas Council Regulation (EEC) No 508/71 of 8 March 1971 laying down general rules on private storage aid for long-keeping cheeses (3) permits the granting of private storage aid for sheep's milk cheeses requiring at least six months for maturing where a serious market imbalance could be eliminated or reduced by seasonal storage;
Whereas the seasonal nature of Kefalotyri and Kasseri cheese production results in the building up of stocks which are difficult to sell and which risk causing a lowering of prices; whereas seasonal storage should therefore be introduced for the quantities to improve the situation and allow producers time to find outlets for their cheese;
Whereas the detailed rules of this measure should determine the maximum quantity to benefit from it as well as the duration of the contracts in relation to the real requirements of the market and the keeping qualities of the cheeses in question; whereas it is necessary to specify the terms of the storage contract so as to enable the identification of the cheese and to maintain checks on the stock in respect of which aid is granted; whereas the aid should be fixed taking into account storage costs and the foreseeable trend of market prices;
Whereas experience shows that provisions on checks should be laid down, particularly as regards the documents to be submitted and checks to be made on the spot; whereas, therefore, it should be provided that Member States require the costs of checks be fully or partly borne by the contractor;
Whereas Article 1 (1) of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 1756/93 of 30 June 1993 fixing the operative events for the agricultural conversion rate applicable to milk and milk products (4), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 569/96 (5), fixes the conversion rate to be applied in the framework of private storage aid schemes in the milk products sector;
Whereas it is appropriate to guarantee the continuation of the storage operations in question;
Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Milk and Milk Products,