Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/96 of 28 October 1996 on the common organisation of the market in products processed from fruit and vegetables^f1, and in particular Article 9(8) thereof,

Whereas:

Article 9(4) of Regulation (EC) No 2201/96 provides for aid to be granted to storage agencies for the quantities of sultanas, currants and dried figs that they buy in and for the actual duration of storage.

Article 3 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1535/2003 of 29 August 2003 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/96 as regards the aid scheme for products processed from fruit and vegetables^f2, lays down the dates of the marketing years.

The storage aid for unprocessed dried grapes and unprocessed dried figs from the 2003/04 marketing year should be fixed and, to that end, account should be taken of Article 7 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1622/1999 of 23 July 1999 laying down detailed rules for applying Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/96 as regards the scheme for the storage of unprocessed dried grapes and unprocessed dried figs^f3 and of the fact that the storage aid is to be calculated on the basis of the technical cost of storage and of financing the buying-in price paid for the products.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Products Processed from Fruit and Vegetables,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: