PURPOSE : to amend Regulation 1251/1999 establishing a support system for producers of certain arable crops, to include flax and hemp grown for fibre.
COMMUNITY MEASURE : Council Regulation 1672/2000/EC amending Regulation 1251/1999 establishing a support system for producers of certain arable crops, to include flax and hemp grown for fibre.
CONTENT : after examining the Commission proposals for reform of the flax and hemp hemp sector and the prices for agricultural products for 2000/2001, the Council unanimously approved the compromise package submitted by the Presidency and endorsed by the Commission.
As regards agricultural prices, the Council went on formally to adopt the Regulations for the cereals, rice, silk worms and sheepmeat sectors.
In order to solve the problems facing the market in flax and hemp grown for fibre, the amount of aid granted to the growers concerned should be comparable to that for competitor crops. To that end, and with a view to simplifying the applicable legislation, these crops should be included in the support system for producers of certain arable crops established by Regulation 1251/1999/EC. Moreover, there is a need to ensure continued production, Council Regulation 1672/2000/EC provides for aid for processing flax and hemp straw. Aid for processing should lead to an increase in the purchase price of flax and hemp straw and make production more profitable for producers. Moreover, in Finland, and in Sweden north of the 62nd Parallel and some adjacent areas affected by comparable climatic conditions rendering agricultural activity particulary difficult, a supplementary amount to the area payment of EUR 19 per tonne, multiplied by the yield utilised for the area payments, shall be applied for cereals, oilseeds, linseeds and flax and hemp grown for fibre.
In relation to the area payment, for flax and hemp grown for fibre, this shall be made only, depending on circumstances, when the contract is concluded or commitment made as referred to in Article 2(1) of Regulation 1673/2000/EC. For hemp grown for fibre, the area payment shall also be made only where varieties used have a tetrahydrocannabinol content not exceeding 0,2%.
Member States shall establish a system for verifying the tetrahydrocannabinol content of the crops grown on at least 30% of the areas of hemp grown for fibre for which area payment applications have been made. However, if a Member State introduces a system of prior approval for such cultivation, the minimum shall be 20%.
In addition, applications for payments may not be made in respect of land which, on 31 December 1991, was under permanent pasture, permanent crops or trees or was used for non-agricultural purposes.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: 29.07.2000. �