PURPOSE : to fix the basic rate of compulsory set-aside for producers of certain arable crops.
LEGISLATIVE ACT : Council Regulation 2322/2003/EC derogating from Regulation 1251/1999/EC as regards the set-aside requirement for the 2004/05 marketing year.
CONTENT : the support system for producers of certain arable crops introduced by Regulation 1251/1999/EC, provides that, in order to qualify for area payments, producers are to set aside a certain proportion of their arable land.
The cereals market in the Community during the 2003/04 marketing year is characterised by low production due to severe drought in main production regions of the Community. This situation is expected to cause a significant reduction in closing stocks for 2003/04 on the Community market. A normal 2004 harvest would not be expected to lead to a significant increase in stocks. A poor harvest would expose the internal market to potentially serious risks.
For the 2004/05 marketing year, the rate for set-aside should therefore be fixed at a lower level than that set out in the second subparagraph of Article 6(1) of Regulation 1251/1999/EC and this Regulation aims to do just that.
The Regulation states that the basic rate of compulsory set-aside shall be 5 % for the 2004/05 marketing year.
ENTRY INTO FORCE : 31 December 2003. It shall apply to set-aside for the 2004/05 marketing year.�