Brussels, 05/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission will shortly adopt a proposal amending regulation 247/2006 laying down specific measures for agriculture in the outermost regions of the EU. The new regulation is expected to be applicable from 1 January 2010.
Following the reform of the common organisation of the sugar market, Article 5 of the 2006 regulation (specific measures for agriculture in EU outermost regions) should be updated to allow the Azores to integrate raw cane sugar into its forecast supply balance. In past marketing years, sugar beet production in the Azores was not sufficient to allow its sugar industry to use up its allocated quota and no significant quantities of raw sugar beet were available on the market. The proposed amendment will improve the situation by allowing the import of raw sugar cane (within the limits of the forecast balance supply).
Within the context of the current economic crisis, the Commission is proposing to extend the derogation enjoyed by the Canary Islands for the supply, within specific supply arrangements, of milk-based preparations that fall within CN code 1901 90 99 (skimmed milk powder containing vegetable fat). This product is, in fact, is a basic element of the traditional local diet and the viability of the local processing industry depends on its availability at competitive prices.
Article 12(f) of regulation 247/2006 speaks, among other issues to be included in the Community support programmes for the outermost regions that member states have to submit to the Commission, of provisions for checks and administrative penalties. To ensure that Community support programmes are implemented effectively and appropriately, it is necessary to remove the references to the checks and administrative penalties that feature in this Article. Corresponding national measures will, however, continue to be communicated to the Commission in accordance with Article 27 of the aforementioned regulation.
Article 18 needs to be updated following the reform of the wine sector.
Despite the recent development of local milk production in Reunion, current demand for drinking milk on the island outstrips supply. Moreover, the remoteness of the island does not allow for other sources of raw milk. Consequently, the Commission proposes to extend to the French overseas department of Reunion authorisation to produce (for human consumption) UHT milk reconstituted from milk powder from the Community - Madeira is already allowed to produce such milk. (L.C./transl.rt)