Brussels, 26/08/2005 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the European Commission adopted a proposal updating and replacing rules on the common organisation of the market for hops dating back to 1971. The Commission proposes that the new regulation would come into force on 1 January 2006.
The aim scheme for hops farming was changed in 2003 and 2004, and these changes are taken into account in the proposal. From 2005 on, the new scheme will involve a single decoupled payment, but in order to take account of specific production conditions and the characteristics of certain regions, Member States are authorised to continue with up to 25% of production aid for farmers and/or farmer organisations (see EUROPE 8691).
The proposal also takes account of changes in the role of groups of farmers (which are no longer involved in managing EU aid). Although the signing of annual and multi-annual contracts still plays an important role in the marketing of hops and stabilising the market, official registering of contracts is no longer needed in the Commission's view. The proposal would enable measures concerning extra-EU trade to be extended to hop juice and vegetable extracts.
Marketing. Products harvested in the EU are subject to certification. The certificate must mention the place(s) farmed, the year(s) of harvest and the variety (varieties).
Farmers groups. The proposal sets out conditions for the whole of the EU which must be met by farmer groups in order to be recognised by the Member States. Farmer groups must justify sufficient economic weight and all the crops produced must be offered for sale.
Extra-EU trade. The proposal foresees an import system which only involves the application of a common customs tariff and no application of any quota at the EU's external borders. In order to ensure the EU market is not left defenceless, the proposal also includes the option for the EU to take necessary protection measures very quickly.
The proposal foresees tools to enable preventative action to be taken in the event of dangers of structural surpluses or market disruption. Such measures might take the form of influencing production potential, supply volumes and marketing conditions.