THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to the Treaty of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania, and in particular Article 4(3) thereof,
Having regard to the Act of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania (hereinafter referred to as ‘2005 Act of Accession’), and in particular Article 20 in conjunction with Annex IV, and Article 56, thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament,
Whereas:
(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 of 29 September 2003 establishing common rules for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy and establishing certain support schemes for farmers(1) amended inter alia the provisions on seed aid ceilings by reason of the 2004 accession and introduced direct support schemes for farmers in the sugar sector. Council Regulation (EC) No 318/2006 of 20 February 2006 on the common organisation of the markets in the sugar sector(2) introduced common rules governing the common organisation of the markets in the sugar sector from the marketing year 2006/2007. Regulation (EC) No 320/2006(3) established a temporary scheme for the restructuring of the sugar industry in the Community.
(2) Those general rules and measures should be adapted to allow their implementation in Bulgaria and Romania as from the date of accession of those countries to the European Union.
(3) With a view to allowing Bulgaria and Romania to benefit from the support measures in the sugar sector provided for under Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003, it is appropriate to amend the national ceilings for Bulgaria and Romania, taking into account the additional amount of aid. In order to provide Bulgaria and Romania with the possibility of granting the sugar direct payment in the form of a separate direct payment, it is appropriate to amend the national ceilings on the sugar reference amounts. In order to apply the provisions on the separate sugar payment in Bulgaria and Romania it is appropriate to adjust the periods for implementation accordingly.
(4) With a view to allowing Bulgaria and Romania to integrate seed aid into the support schemes provided for under Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003, it is appropriate to add Bulgaria and Romania to the list of countries concerned by that measure.
(5) The 2005 Act of Accession and this Regulation both amend Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 and those amendments should come into force on the same day. In the interest of legal certainty, the order in which those amendments are to be applied should be specified.
(6) With a view to applying in Bulgaria and Romania the mechanisms on a production quota system for sugar, isoglucose and inulin syrup, as well as a traditional supply need of sugar for refining as provided for in Regulation (EC) No 318/2006, both countries should be added to the list of countries benefiting from these measures. Further adaptations should also be made to that Regulation to take account the specific situation of Bulgaria and Romania.
(7) With a view to allowing operators in Bulgaria and Romania to participate in the restructuring scheme provided for in Regulation (EC) No 320/2006, that Regulation needs to be adapted.
(8) Regulations (EC) No 1782/2003, (EC) No 318/2006 and (EC) No 320/2006 should therefore be amended accordingly,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
OJ L 270, 21.10.2003, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1405/2006 (OJ L 265, 26.9.2006, p. 1).
OJ L 58, 28.2.2006, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1585/2006 (OJ L 294, 25.10.2006, p. 19).