Olive oil: aid scheme in force up and including the 2004/2005 marketing year (amend. Regulation (EEC) No 2262/84)

PURPOSE: To extend the length of financing for inspection agencies responsible for overseeing compliance of olive oil Regulations. CONTENT: Agencies responsible for supervising the application of the Community's Olive Oil Regulations were established in 1984 and later reconfirmed in 1999 with Regulation 150/1999/EC. 50% of their financing comes from general budget of the Communities. Under the previous Regulation Community financing has been guaranteed up to and including the 2001/02 marketing year. The Council has decided that a new aid scheme will be introduced from 1 November 2004. The current aid scheme therefore has been extended up to and including the 2003/04 marketing year. Under these circumstances, provision should be made to continue the Community contribution to the expenditure incurred by the agencies carrying out certain checks up to and including the marketing year 2003/04. The scheme is expected to cost the Community budget an estimated EUR 43.5 million in total. It should be noted that before 1 October 2004, the Commission will consider the need to continue the Community contribution to the expenditure of the agencies after the 2004/05 marketing year.�