Commission Regulation (EC) No 2153/2005 of 23 December 2005 on the aid scheme for the private storage of olive oil
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2153/2005of 23 December 2005on the aid scheme for the private storage of olive oilTHE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 865/2004 of 29 April 2004 on the common organisation of the market in olive oil and table olives and amending Regulation (EEC) No 827/68OJ L 161, 30.4.2004, p. 97, corrected by OJ L 206, 9.6.2004, p. 37., and in particular Article 6(3) thereof,Whereas:(1)Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 865/2004 provides that an aid scheme for the private storage of olive oil may be implemented in the event of serious disturbance on the market in certain regions of the Community.(2)In order to implement the aid scheme quickly as and when required, detailed rules for the application of that Regulation must be laid down. The aid scheme for private storage must be based on contracts with operators offering sufficient securities and authorised by the Member States on the basis of certain set conditions.(3)For the scheme to have greater effect on the market at the level of producers and to make monitoring easier, the aid should be granted primarily for the bulk storage of virgin olive oil.(4)Information should be available on changes in prices and in the production of olive oil. This information is needed to monitor the olive oil market on a permanent basis, in order to assess whether the conditions indicating a severe market disturbance pertain or not.(5)To reflect the market situation as closely as possible, the aid amount must be established for those market sectors that need it. The oil categories are those listed in Part I of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 865/2004.(6)The information that must appear in tenders and the conditions in which they are to be presented and examined must be specified, with a view to having complete and thorough information for each tender.(7)Invitations to tender should be opened in accordance with certain procedures, particularly as regards the time limits for lodging tenders and the minimum quantity of each tender lodged. In particular, if they are to have an effect on the market situation, tenders must be submitted for a long storage period and in respect of a minimum quantity in relation to the situation in the sector.(8)Performance of the tender should be guaranteed by lodging a security under the conditions laid down in Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2220/85 of 22 July 1985 laying down common detailed rules for the application of the system of securities for agricultural productsOJ L 205, 3.8.1985, p. 5. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 673/2004 (OJ L 105, 14.4.2004, p. 17)., the amount and duration of which must be related to the likelihood of fluctuations in prices on the market and the number of days’ storage conferring entitlement to the aid which have actually been completed.(9)To be successful, tenders should not exceed a maximum amount of aid per day of storage, to be determined in relation to the market in olive oil. The tenders must be representative and the maximum quantities laid down under the procedure must be complied with for each category or region specified.(10)The main points to be included in the contract should be specified. In order to prevent disturbances on the market, the Commission must be able to adjust the term of the contract in the light mainly of the harvest forecasts for the marketing year following that in which the contract was concluded.(11)In order to ensure that the scheme is properly administered, it is necessary to indicate the conditions in which an advance on aid may be granted, the checks on compliance with entitlement to the aid which are essential, certain procedures for calculating the aid and the information to be notified to the Commission by the Member States.(12)With a view to clarity and transparency, Commission Regulation (EC) No 2768/98 of 21 December 1998 on the aid scheme for the private storage of olive oilOJ L 346, 22.12.1998, p. 14. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1432/2004 (OJ L 264, 11.8.2004, p. 6). should be repealed and replaced by a new Regulation.(13)The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Olive Oil and Table Olives,HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: