TITLE VIGENERAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS
Article 17Conclusive force
The findings of the specific officials of the Commission or the officials of a competent body of a Member State in the course of application of this Title may be invoked by the competent bodies of the other Member States or by the Commission. In such cases, they shall have no less value because of the fact that they do not come from the Member State in question.
Article 18Penalties
Without prejudice to the special arrangements provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 or in the regulations adopted pursuant to that Regulation, the Member States shall determine the penalties applicable to breaches of the provisions governing the wine sector and shall take all necessary measures to ensure their application. Such penalties shall be effective, be commensurate with their purpose and have adequate deterrent effect.
Article 19Persons subject to controls
1
Natural or legal persons and groups of such persons whose professional activities may be the subject of the controls referred to in this Regulation shall not obstruct such controls and shall be required to facilitate them at all times.
2
Cultivators of vines from which grapes are taken by officials of a competent body:
may not impede such collection in any way, and
must provide these officials with all the information required under this Regulation.
Article 20Repeal
Regulations (EEC) No 2347/91 and (EEC) No 2348/91 are hereby repealed.
Article 21
This Regulation shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.
It shall apply from 1 December 2000.