Council Regulation (EC) No 1577/96 of 30 July 1996 introducing a specific measure in respect of certain grain legumes

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1577/96 of 30 July 1996 introducing a specific measure in respect of certain grain legumes
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 42 and 43 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
Whereas Regulation (EEC) No 762/89 (4) introduced a specific measure for certain grain legumes; whereas this measure expires on 30 June 1996;
Whereas maintaining the cultivation of grain legumes such as lentils, chick peas and vetches is of economic importance to the Community;
Whereas the objective of maintaining such crops may be achieved by granting aid per hectare; whereas the aid must be fixed at a rate enabling the abovementioned objective to be achieved; whereas the current rate of aid of ECU 181 per hectare is satisfactory;
Whereas Council Regulation (EEC) No 1765/92 of 30 June 1992 establishing a support system for producers of certain arable crops (5) lays down constraints on areas on which the compensatory aid is payable, in particular in respect of oilseeds; whereas the cultivation of such grain legumes provides a viable alternative and prevents imbalance on the Community market; whereas, however, too great an extension of areas under such crops should be avoided; whereas that can be achieved by fixing a maximum guaranteed area of 400 000 hectares;
Whereas Regulation (EEC) No 762/89 applies penalties to the aid paid in the marketing year following any overrun of the maximum guaranteed area; whereas this Regulation applies the penalty, in the event of an overrun, in the current marketing year; whereas transitional measures should be adopted by the Commission to avoid the application of two penalties in the first year of application, namely from 1 July 1996 to 30 June 1997,