Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 of 28 October 1996 on the common organisation of the market in fruit and vegetables^f1, and in particular Article 48 thereof,

Whereas:

Article 3(2) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1943/2003 of 3 November 2003 laying down rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 as regards aid to producer groups granted preliminary recognition^f2 sets the calculation parameters and the ceilings for the aid provided for in Article 14(2)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 2200/96. These parameters and ceilings are not prices or amounts which are either granted or collected. Articles 2 and 3 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2799/98 of 15 December 1998 establishing agrimonetary arrangements for the euro^f3 do not, therefore, apply to them.

These parameters and ceilings apply to each of the aid instalments referred to in point (d) of the first subparagraph of Article 3(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1943/2003. To express them in the national currencies of the non-participating Member States within the meaning of Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No 2799/98, the exchange rates in force on the first day of the period for which the aid is granted should be used.

Regulation (EC) No 1943/2003 should therefore be amended accordingly.

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: