(1)

Point (h) of the first paragraph of Article 17 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 provides for the possibility to grant private storage aid for pigmeat.

(2)

The situation of the Union pig sector has deteriorated throughout 2014 and 2015. Due to the specifics of the pig market, with a system of inherent delayed adaptation of the breeding sector to reduced demand for slaugthter pigs, the Union pig production has increased while well performing exports declined strongly as a result of the loss of Russia as an export market. As a result, the market currently faces continuing price pressure which goes beyond the one of normal cyclical periods. Average recorded Union market prices have been below the reference threshold as laid down in point (f) of Article 7(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 since mid-August 2015 and have significant negative impact on the margins in the pig sector. The persisting difficult market situation compromises the financial stability of many farms. The temporary removal of pigmeat from the market seems necessary in order to re-establish market balance and to increase prices. Therefore, it is appropriate to grant aid for private storage for pigmeat and to fix the amount of aid in advance.

(3)

Commission Regulation (EC) No 826/2008 (3) has established common rules for the implementation of private storage aid schemes.

(4)

Pursuant to Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 826/2008, aid fixed in advance is to be granted in accordance with the detailed rules and conditions provided for in Chapter III of that Regulation.

(5)

In order to facilitate the management of the measure, the pigmeat products should be classified in categories according to similarities with regard to the level of storage cost.

(6)

In view of the need to give equal opportunities to the operators, it should be possible to lodge applications for private storage aid for the categories of pigmeat products eligible for aid from 4 January 2016.

(7)

In order to facilitate the administrative and control work relating to the conclusion of contracts, the minimum quantities of products to be covered by each application should be fixed.

(8)

A security should be fixed in order to ensure the operators fulfil their contractual obligations and that the measure will have its desired effect on the market.

(9)

Exports of pigmeat products contribute to restoring the balance on the market. Therefore, Article 28(3) of Regulation (EC) No 826/2008 should apply when the storage period is shortened and where the products removed from storage are intended for export. The daily amounts to be applied for the reduction of the amount of the aid as referred to in that Article should be fixed.

(10)

For the purposes of the first subparagraph of Article 28(3) of Regulation (EC) No 826/2008 and for reason of consistency and clarity for operators, it is necessary to express in days the period of two months referred therein.

(11)

Article 35 of Regulation (EC) No 826/2008 provides for the information that the Member States have to notify to the Commission. It is appropriate to lay down some specific rules on the frequency of the notifications as regards the quantities applied for within the framework of this Regulation.

(12)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee for the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets,

(a)

each Monday by 12.00 (Brussels time) the quantities for which applications have been submitted on Thursday and Friday of the preceding week;

(b)

each Thursday by 12.00 (Brussels time) the quantities for which applications have been submitted on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of the same week.