Article 1

In respect of year 2006, the Member States are authorised to pay to the farmer, from 16 October 2006, an advance of the payments under the support schemes listed in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003.

The advance provided for in paragraph 1 may only be paid up to an amount for which eligibility has already been established on the basis of checks carried out in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 796/2004 and where there is no risk that the amount of the total payment yet to be established is lower than that of the advance.

Payments provided for in paragraph 1, made before 1 December 2006, shall not exceed 50 % of the amount referred to in paragraph 2.