TITLE IIPRODUCTION AID

CHAPTER IPineapples

Article 7Scope

This chapter lays down detailed rules for applying the production aid scheme for pineapples provided for in Article 27 of Regulation (EEC) No 1453/2001.

Article 8Prior declaration

Producers wishing to benefit from the production aid scheme for pineapples referred to in Article 7 shall make a declaration to the competent authority designated by Portugal before a date to be determined by that authority. The date set shall allow time for the necessary on-the-spot checks.

Declarations shall include at least the following information:

  • the references and areas of the parcels, in hectares and ares, identified in accordance with Articles 4 and 5 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3508/9225, on which the pineapples are to be grown, and

  • an estimate of the quantities to be produced.

Article 9Aid applications

Producers shall submit their aid applications during the following months:

  • January for production harvested in July to December of the previous year,

  • July for production harvested from January to June of the current year.

Article 10Payment of the aid

The competent authorities shall take the measures necessary to ensure that the annual quantities for which the aid is granted do not exceed the volume fixed in Article 27 of Regulation (EC) No 1453/2001.

CHAPTER IIVanilla and essential oils

Article 11Scope

This chapter lays down detailed rules for applying the following aid schemes:

  1. (a)

    production aid for green vanilla falling within CN code ex 0905 00 00 intended for the production of dried (black) vanilla or vanilla extracts as provided for in Article 12(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1452/2001;

  2. (b)

    production aid for essential oils of geranium and vetiver falling within CN codes 3301 21 and 3301 26 as provided for in Article 12(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1452/2001.

Article 12Procedures and technical characteristics

The competent authorities shall specify the manufacturing procedures and define the technical characteristics of green vanilla and essential oils of geranium and vetiver qualifying for the aid.

Article 13Processors and local collection and marketing bodies

1

The aid referred to in Article 11(a) shall be paid to producers through processors approved by the competent authorities.

The aid referred to in Article 11(b) shall be paid to producers via local collection and marketing bodies approved by the competent authorities.

2

The competent authorities shall grant approval to processors and bodies as referred to in paragraph 1 established in the production region and possessing plant and equipment suitable for the preparation of dried (black) vanilla or vanilla extracts, or for the collection and marketing of essential oils, and which fulfil the obligations set out in Article 14.

Article 14Obligations of processors and collection and marketing bodies

Approved processors and collection and marketing bodies shall undertake, in particular:

  • to pay producers the full amount of the aid referred to in Article 12(2) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 1452/2001 under supply contracts not later than one month from the date of payment of the aid by the competent authority,

  • to keep separate accounts for transactions connected with the application of this Regulation,

  • to allow any checks or inspections required by the competent authorities and to notify all information relating to the application of this Regulation.

Article 15Reduction coefficient

Where the quantities covered by aid applications exceed the permitted annual quantities, the competent authorities shall set a reduction coefficient to be applied to all applications.

Article 16Payment of the aid

The national authorities shall make payment of the aid conditional upon the presentation of delivery notes jointly signed by the producer and the approved processors or collection and marketing bodies, as the case may be.

CHAPTER IIITransport of sugar cane in the French overseas departments

Article 17

1

Aid as provided for in Article 16 of Regulation (EC) No 1452/2001 for the transport of sugar cane from the edge of the field where it is harvested to the reception centres shall be paid on the terms set out in this chapter to producers delivering their cane directly to reception centres.

2

To be eligible for transport aid, the cane must be intended for the production of sugar or rum.

3

The aid shall be paid for the transport of cane of sound and fair merchantable quality.

4

‘Reception centre’ means the weighing centre or the factory itself, where delivery is direct to the latter, be it a sugar refinery or a distillery.

Article 18

1

The transport costs to producers shall be determined on the basis of the distance between the edge of the field and the reception centre and other objective criteria, including conditions of access to the field and the existence of natural handicaps.

2

Without prejudice to paragraph 3, the unit amount of aid fixed for producers shall not exceed:

a

half the transport costs per tonne fixed on a flat-rate basis in accordance with paragraph 1;

b

the maximum amounts below for each department:

  • EUR 5,49/tonne for Réunion,

  • EUR 5,34/tonne for Guadeloupe,

  • EUR 3,96/tonne for Martinique,

  • EUR 3,81/tonne for French Guiana.

3

The aid for cane transport shall be determined by the French authorities in accordance with the following average unit amount for each department, depending on the quantities involved:

  • EUR 3,2/tonne for Réunion,

  • EUR 2,5/tonne for Guadeloupe,

  • EUR 2,0/tonne for Martinique,

  • EUR 2,0/tonne for French Guiana.