Commission Regulation (EC) No 206/2004 of 5 February 2004 amending 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 206/2004
of 5 February 2004
amending 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), and in particular Article 9 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Commission Regulation (EC) No 2316/1999(2) lays down detailed rules for the application of Regulation (EC) No 1251/1999 concerning the conditions for the grant of area payments for certain arable crops and determines the conditions for set-aside, in particular the minimum areas set-aside must cover.
(2) Areas left fallow have a positive impact on the environment. This could be enhanced by taking account of smaller parcels. Member States should therefore be permitted to accept smaller areas for set-aside.
(3) Under Council Regulation (EC) No 1017/94 of 26 April 1994 concerning the conversion of land currently under arable crops to extensive livestock farming in Portugal(3), applications for conversion have been submitted equivalent to 35585 ha. The base area should consequently be adjusted.
(4) The Member States have notified the results of the tests to determine the tetrahydrocannabinol levels in the hemp varieties sown in 2003. Those results should be taken into account when drawing up the list of hemp varieties qualifying for area payments in the coming marketing years and the list of varieties temporarily accepted for 2004/2005, which will require further testing during that marketing year.
(5) Regulation (EC) No 2316/1999 should be amended accordingly.
(6) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Cereals,