Commission Regulation (EC) No 1243/2002 of 10 July 2002 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 as regards the flat-rate aid for hazelnuts harvested during the 2001/02 marketing year

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1243/2002
of 10 July 2002
laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 as regards the flat-rate aid for hazelnuts harvested during the 2001/02 marketing year
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 of 28 October 1996 on the common organization of the market in fruit and vegetables(1), as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 545/2002(2), and in particular Article 55 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) In order to deal with the particularly difficult market conditions in the hazelnut sector, flat-rate aid is granted for the 2001/02 marketing year.
(2) In accordance with the objectives of the common organisation of the markets, that aid is granted to producer organisations recognised under Council Regulation (EEC) No 1035/72(3), as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1363/95(4), or Regulation (EC) No 2200/96. To enhance the results produced by the specific measures already implemented, that aid is granted only on condition that the aforementioned producer organisations implement in 2001 either a quality improvement plan within the meaning of Article 14(d) of Regulation (EEC) No 1035/72 or an operational programme within the meaning of Regulation (EC) No 2200/96.
(3) The beginning of the marketing year should be amended to take account of the effective harvest of hazelnuts, without however excluding from the scope of aid the products brought by the producers who joined the organisations between 1 and 31 August 2001.
(4) To ensure efficient payment of aid due to the beneficiaries, deadlines should be set for the producer organisations to lodge their applications and for payment of aid by the competent authorities.
(5) Since the aid is granted to the producers of hazelnuts, the producer organisation must pay the amount received in full to the producers, although an administration charge may be retained by the producer organisation.
(6) To ensure the effectiveness of the system of flat-rate aid, procedures should be laid down for checks and, where undue payments are made, penalties.
(7) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables,