51995PC0401(01)

Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) derogating from Regulation (EEC) No 1765/92 establishing a support system for producers of certain arable crops as regards the set-aside requirement for the 1996/97 marketing year

(95/C 253/08)

COM(95) 401 final - 95/0211(CNS)

(Submitted by the Commission on 27 July 1995)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 42 and 43 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament,

Whereas the support system for producers of certain arable crops introduced by Council Regulation (EEC) No 1765/92 (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1664/95 (2), provides that, in order to qualify for compensatory payments under the general scheme, producers must set aside a predetermined percentage of their arable land; whereas this percentage should be re-examined to take account of production and market developments;

Whereas, since the introduction of the system, the cereals market has achieved a better balance as a result of a reduction in production and an increase in Community consumption; whereas this situation, together with the favourable world market situation, has resulted in a significant reduction in intervention cereal stocks;

Whereas, on the basis of a forecast balance for 1995/96, the equilibrium sought between Community and external production and outlets can be achieved with a production in 1996 of approximately 182 million tonnes; whereas that objective may be attained by returning approximately 700 000 hectares to cultivation; whereas the rate for set-aside beginning not later than 15 January 1996 should therefore be set temporarily for the 1996/97 marketing year at a level lower than that resulting from the provisions in force,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Notwithstanding the second subparagraph of Article 7 (1) of Regulation (EEC) No 1765/92, the set-aside requirement based on rotation is hereby fixed for the 1996/97 marketing year at 10 %.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the seventh day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

It shall apply to set-aside for the 1996/97 marketing year only.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

(1) OJ No L 181, 1. 7. 1992, p. 12.

(2) OJ No L 158, 8. 7. 1995, p. 13.