Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2075/92 of 30 June 1992 on the common organisation of the market in raw tobacco^f1, and in particular Article 14a thereof,

Whereas:

Articles 13 and 14 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 2182/2002 of 6 December 2002 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2075/92 with regard to the Community Tobacco Fund^f2 specify measures to promote switching of production. These are to be financed from the Community Tobacco Fund set up under Article 13 of Regulation (EEC) No 2075/92.

Total resources available from the Community Tobacco Fund for 2006 amount to EUR 29,2 million, slightly different from the amount indicated before, 50 % of which is to be allocated to specific measures relating to switching by tobacco growers to other crops or other economic activities generating employment, and to studies on these topics.

Under Article 17(4) of Regulation (EC) No 2182/2002, the amount available for 2006 should therefore be allocated between the Member States before 30 June 2006 on the basis of the provisional plans notified by them for funding the measures in the applications for aid.

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Tobacco,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: