1.For all the lots put into storage, the paying agency shall undertake on-the-spot documentary checks within 30 days of the start of the contractual storage period referred to in Article 48(1) in order to verify the contractual quantity referred to in Article 49. Such checks shall include an examination of the store register referred to in Article 52(5) and of supporting documents, such as weigh tickets and delivery dockets, as well as physical verification of the presence of the lots and the identity of the products in the place of private storage.
In the case of meat, the checks shall take place at the time of placing into private storage, and for olive oil, prior to the official sealing of the vats.
In duly justified circumstances, the paying agency may extend the period referred to in the first subparagraph by up to 15 days. In such cases, the paying agency shall inform the affected operators.
2.In addition to the checks required under paragraph 1, a representative statistical sample of at least 5 % of the lots covering at least 5 % of the total quantities placed in storage shall be physically checked to ensure that the quantity, nature and composition, packaging and marking of the products and storage lots conform to the requirements for private storage and to the particulars specified by the operator in their tender or application.
In the case of cheese, physical checks shall be undertaken on all lots in order to verify the contractual quantity.
[F12A.In relation to England, the first subparagraph of paragraph 2 is to be read as if for “5%”, in both places it appears, there were substituted “10%”.]
3.During the storage period, the paying agency shall also undertake unannounced on-the-spot checks to ensure the presence and identity of the contractual quantity in the place of private storage, and that sugar stored in bulk is present in the silo designated by the operator. The check shall be undertaken on the basis of a random statistical sample of at least 5 % of the lots covering at least 5 % of the total quantities for which contracts have been concluded. This sample shall not include more than 25 % of lots already checked in accordance with paragraph 2, unless it would not be possible to conduct the on-the-spot check of at least 5 % of the lots covering at least 5 % of the total quantities for which contracts have been concluded.
The unannounced check referred in the first subparagraph shall not be necessary where the paying agency, with the agreement of the operator, has sealed the products in such a way that the contractual quantities cannot be removed from the place of storage without breaking seal.
[F23A.Paragraph 3 does not apply in relation to England.]
4.At the end of the contractual storage period, or before the start of the removal of products where Article 53(3) applies, the paying agency shall undertake on-the-spot checks to verify that the contractual commitment has been met based on a documentary check of the store register and supporting documents, as well as a verification of the presence of the lots and the identity of the products in the place of private storage.
In addition to the checks referred to in the first subparagraph, a representative statistical sample of at least 5 % of the lots covering at least 5 % of the total quantities for which contracts have been concluded shall be physically checked to verify the quantity, type, packaging and marking and identity of the products in the place of private storage.
[F34A.In relation to England, the second subparagraph of paragraph 4 is to be read as if, for “5%”, in both places it appears, there were substituted “10%”.]
5.Where the paying agency, with the agreement of the operator, has sealed the products in such a way that the stored quantity cannot be removed from the individual lot without breaking seal, the checks referred to in paragraphs 3 and 4 may be limited to verifying the presence and integrity of the seals.
[F46.In relation to England, paragraph 5 is to be read as if for “paragraphs 3 and” there were substituted “paragraph”.]
Textual Amendments
F1Art. 60(2A) inserted (E.) (28.2.2023 at 9.10 a.m.) by The Market Measures Payment Schemes (Amendments, Revocation and Transitional Provision) (England) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/124), regs. 1(2)(b), 9(13)(a) (with reg. 10)
F2Art. 60(3A) inserted (E.) (28.2.2023 at 9.10 a.m.) by The Market Measures Payment Schemes (Amendments, Revocation and Transitional Provision) (England) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/124), regs. 1(2)(b), 9(13)(b) (with reg. 10)
F3Art. 60(4A) inserted (E.) (28.2.2023 at 9.10 a.m.) by The Market Measures Payment Schemes (Amendments, Revocation and Transitional Provision) (England) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/124), regs. 1(2)(b), 9(13)(c) (with reg. 10)
F4Art. 60(6) inserted (E.) (28.2.2023 at 9.10 a.m.) by The Market Measures Payment Schemes (Amendments, Revocation and Transitional Provision) (England) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/124), regs. 1(2)(b), 9(13)(d) (with reg. 10)