Commission Decision
of 19 December 2000
on the Community's financial contribution to a programme for the control of organisms harmful to plants and plant products in Madeira for 2000
(notified under document number C(2000) 3867)
(Only the Portuguese text is authentic)
(2001/13/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1600/92 of 15 June 1992 introducing specific measures in respect of certain agricultural products for the benefit of the Azores and Madeira(1), as last amended by the Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999(2), and in particular Article 33(3) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Commission Decision 93/522/EEC(3), as last amended by Decision 96/633/EC(4), defines what measures are eligible for Community financing as regards programmes for the control of organisms harmful to plants and plant products in the French overseas departments, the Azores and Madeira.
(2) Specific agricultural production conditions in Madeira call for particular attention, and action must be taken or reinforced as regards crop production, in particular the phytosanitary aspects for this region.
(3) The action to be taken or reinforced on the phytosanitary side is particularly costly.
(4) The programme of action has been presented to the Commission by the relevant Portuguese authorities. This programme specifies the objectives to be achieved, the measures to be carried out, their duration and their cost so that the Community may contribute to financing them.
(5) The Community's financial contribution may cover up to 75 % of eligible expenditure, protective measures for bananas being excluded.
(6) The operations provided for in the European Community framework Programme for research and technological Development cannot be the same as those contained in this programme.
(7) The measures foreseen in the environmental programme approved for the Region of Madeira in the framework of Regulation (EEC) No 2078/92(5), as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2772/95(6), cannot be the same as those contained in this programme.
(8) The technical information provided by Portugal has enabled the Standing Committee on Plant Health to analyse the situation accurately and comprehensively.
(9) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plant Health,
The Community's financial contribution to the official programme for the control of organisms harmful to plants and plant products on the Island of Madeira presented for 2000 by the relevant Portuguese authorities is hereby approved.
The official programme is made up of a programme for the autocidal control of the fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata Wied).
The Community's financial contribution to the programme in 2000 presented by Portugal shall be 75 % of expenditure related to eligible measures as defined by Commission Decision 93/522/EEC with a maximum of EUR 250000 (VAT excluded).
The schedule of programme costs and their financing is set out as Annex I to this Decision.
A first instalment of EUR 100000 shall be paid to Portugal immediately after the official notification of the present Decision.
The Community assistance shall relate to the eligible measures associated with the operations covered by the programme set up in Portugal by provisions for which the necessary financial resources have been committed between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2000. The final date for payments in connection with the operations shall be 31 March 2001, and non-compliance without justification of delay shall entail loss of entitlement to Community financing.
In the case where a request for extension of the final date for payment is necessary, the responsible official authorities have to introduce this request before the final date and present the justification concerning this request.
Specific provisions relating to the financing of the programme, provisions on compliance with Community policies and the information to be provided to the Commission by Portugal shall be as set out in Annex II.
Any public contracts connected with investments covered by this Decision shall be subject to Community law.
This Decision is addressed to the Portuguese Republic.