Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 404/93 of 13 February 1993 on the common organisation of the market in bananas^f1, and in particular Article 14 thereof,

Whereas:

Article 7 of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 1858/93^f2 lays down the detailed rules for applying Regulation (EEC) No 404/93 as regards the submission of applications for advances and payment of the balance of the compensatory aid for loss of income from marketing in the banana sector, as provided for by Article 12 of Regulation (EEC) No 404/93. With a view to sound management and to obtaining by year-end all the data and information needed to fix the aid in particular, penalties should be provided for where there is a delay in the submission of applications for payment of the balance.

The supporting documents that must accompany the payment applications should also be specified and these documents must include proof of the goods’ actual sale, in particular their acceptance by the buyer.

Regulation (EEC) No 1858/93 should therefore be amended accordingly.

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: