Brussels, 21/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - At the 20 March Agriculture Council, France and Ireland opposed the abolition, proposed by the European Commission, of the system, which has been in force since 1969, of pre-financing export refunds. Under this complex system, heavily criticised by the Court of Auditors, beneficiaries are paid as soon as the basic product for export is placed under the control of the Customs for storage or processing (up until approximately 6 months in advance)....