(1)

Council Regulation (EEC) No 845/72 of 24 April 1972 laying down special measures to encourage silkworm rearing (3) has been substantially amended several times (4). In the interests of clarity and rationality the said Regulation should be codified.

(2)

Council Regulation (EEC) No 827/68 of 28 June 1968 on the common organisation of the market in certain products listed in Annex II to the Treaty (5) lays down the measures governing trade in silkworms and silkworm eggs without, however, providing for support measures within the Community. Silkworm rearing is of some importance to the economies of certain regions of the Community. This activity is a source of additional income for farmers in those regions. Measures should therefore be adopted to help to ensure a fair income for silkworm rearers.

(3)

To that end, provision should be made for measures to facilitate the adjustment of supply to market requirements, and an aid replacing all national silkworm aids should be granted for silkworm rearing. In view of the characteristic features of silkworm rearing, this aid should take the form of a fixed sum per box of silkworm eggs used.

(4)

Expenses incurred by the Member States as a result of the obligations resulting from this Regulation should be financed by the Community in accordance with the provisions relating to the financing of the common agricultural policy.

(5)

The measures necessary for the implementation of this Regulation should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (6),