Section VI Special provisions for the apiculture sector
Article 105Scope
1.With a view to improving general conditions for the production and marketing of apiculture products, Member States may draw up a national programme for a period of three years (hereinafter referred to as the ‘apiculture programme’).
2.By way of derogation from Article 180, Articles 87, 88 and 89 of the Treaty shall not apply:
(a)to the financial contribution provided by Member States for measures subject to Community support in accordance with this Section;
(b)to specific national aids for the protection of apiaries disadvantaged by structural or natural conditions or under economic development programmes, except for those allocated for production or trade.
Aids referred to in point (b) shall be notified to the Commission by Member States together with the communication of the apiculture programme in accordance with Article 109.
Article 106Measures eligible for aid
The measures which may be included in the apiculture programme shall be the following:
technical assistance to beekeepers and groupings of beekeepers;
control of varroasis;
rationalisation of transhumance;
measures to support laboratories carrying out analyses of the physico-chemical properties of honey;
measures to support the restocking of hives in the Community;
cooperation with specialised bodies for the implementation of applied research programmes in the field of beekeeping and apiculture products.
Measures financed from the EAFRD in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005(1) shall be excluded from the apiculture programme.
Article 107Study of the production and marketing structure in the beekeeping sector
To be eligible for the part-financing provided for in Article 108(1), Member States shall carry out a study of the production and marketing structure in the beekeeping sector in their territory.
Article 108Financing
1.The Community shall provide part-financing for the apiculture programmes equivalent to 50 % of the expenditure borne by Member States.
2.Expenditure relating to the measures taken under the apiculture programmes shall be made by the Member States by 15 October each year.
Article 109Consultation
The apiculture programme shall be drawn up in close collaboration with the representative organisations and beekeeping cooperatives. It shall be submitted to the Commission for approval.
Article 110Implementing rules
The Commission shall establish the detailed rules for the application of this Section.