(1)

Under Article 12(3) of Regulation (EEC) No 404/93, compensatory aid to Community producers for any loss of income is calculated on the basis of the difference between the flat-rate reference income and the average production income from bananas produced and marketed in the Community during the year in question.

(2)

Article 2(2) of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 1858/93 of 9 July 1993 laying down detailed rules for applying Council Regulation (EEC) No 404/93 as regards the aid scheme to compensate for loss of income from marketing in the banana sector (2) fixes the flat-rate reference income at EUR 64,03 per 100 kilograms net weight of green bananas ex-packing shed.

(3)

In 2004, the average production income, calculated on the basis of the average of the prices for bananas marketed outside the producer regions at the stage of delivery at first port of unloading (goods not unloaded), on the one hand, and the selling prices on local markets for bananas marketed in their producer region, on the other, less the flat-rate amounts laid down in Article 3(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 1858/93, was less than the flat-rate reference income fixed for 2004. The compensatory aid to be granted in respect of 2004 should be fixed accordingly.

(4)

Under the second subparagraph of Article 12(6) of Regulation (EEC) No 404/93, supplementary aid is granted in one or more producer regions where the average income from production is significantly lower than the average for the Community.

(5)

The annual average production income from the marketing of bananas produced in Martinique and Guadeloupe has proved to be significantly lower than the Community average during 2004. As a result, supplementary aid should be granted in the producer regions of Martinique and Guadeloupe. In view of the data for 2004, which point to very difficult production and marketing conditions, supplementary aid covering 75 % of the difference between the average income in the Community and the average income recorded on selling products in these two regions should be fixed.

(6)

The unit amount of the advances and the amount of the relevant security are established, in accordance with Article 4(2) and (3) of Regulation (EEC) No 1858/93, on the basis of the aid fixed for the preceding year.

(7)

Given that not all the necessary data were available, it has not hitherto been possible to determine the compensatory aid for 2004. Provision should be made for the balance of the aid for 2004 and of the advances for bananas marketed during January and February 2005 to be paid within two months of the entry into force of this Regulation.

(8)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Bananas,