Processed fruit and vegetable products: common organisation of the market COM

OBJECTIVE: the proposal for a regulation aims to reform the common organisation of the markets in processed fruit and vegetables. SUBSTANCE: - maintain the system of aid for processors, on the condition that they have paid a minimum price to producers. The level of aid will be fixed at a level that compensates for the difference between the prices paid to producers and those paid in third countries; - retain the same criteria as before with regard to the minimum price for producers; - maintain the same aid system for cultivation (aid per hectare) and storage of dried grapes, and the threshold system for the production of processed peaches and pears. However, the proposal introduces amendments to the substance of the current system: - limit the granting of aid for processing to processors having signed contracts with producer organisations and ensure that they sign the contracts before the start of the marketing year; - introduce a flexible quota system for processed tomatoes, allocating quantities in accordance with the results achieved; - as in the "fresh" sector, introduce a legal basis for the implementation of special measures (as in the case of products of importance at local level faced with international competition, for which the general arrangements are unsuitable); - amend the buying-in conditions for storage agencies for dried grapes and dried figs. �