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 markets in processed fruit and vegetable products^f1, and in particular Article 6(1) thereof,

Whereas:

The second subparagraph of Article 7(1) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1535/2003^f2 initially laid down that, in contracts concluded between producer organisations and processors, the payment deadline could not exceed two months from the end of the month of delivery of each consignment in the case of tomatoes, peaches and pears.

Commission Regulation (EC) No 444/2004^f3 extended the above provision to all products processed from fruit and vegetables.

Experience shows that the requirement should be limited to contracts for tomatoes, peaches, pears or dried figs.

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: