PURPOSE : to extend the derogation on flax and hemp fibre.
LEGISLATIVE ACT : Council Regulation 393/2004/EC amending Regulation 1673/2000/EC on the common organisation of the markets in flax and hemp grown for fibre.
CONTENT : Regulation 1673/2000/EC lays down that the Member States may derogate from the limit of 7,5 % impurities and shives and grant processing aid for short flax fibre containing a percentage of impurities and shives of between 7,5 % and 15 % and for hemp fibre containing a percentage of impurities and shives of between 7,5, % and 25 %. However, advantage may be taken of this possibility only until the 2003/04 marketing year.
At the present time, the percentage of impurities and shives in most short flax fibre and hemp fibre obtained during primary processing exceeds the limit of 7,5 %. In order to consolidate the positive development the sector is experiencing and to allow for further improvements in competitiveness, this Regulation affords Member States the option to derogate from that limit for an additional two marketing years.
Regulation 1673/2000/EC is amended accordingly.
ENTRY INTO FORCE : 04/03/04.�