Application of the common quality standards for fruit and vegetables in Portugal

OBJECTIVE: to extend the term of implementation of Portugal's programme of measures to improve the application of the common quality standards for fruit and vegetables and compliance with those standards. SUBSTANCE: On the basis of Regulation (EEC) No 3650/90, the Portuguese authorities have presented and implemented a programme of measures to improve the application of common quality standards for fresh fruit and vegetables and strengthen the arrangements for checking compliance with those standards. The term of the programme was 5 years, expiring on 04.04.1997. Portugal informed the Commission by letter (14.10.1996) that its implementation of the programme had been substantially delayed because of the restructuring of its administration and a shortage of inspection staff. Accordingly, it wished to extend the programme until 31.12.1999. The proposal seeks to grant the extension to 30.09.1999, with the proviso that all the measures, including Community financing, must be settled by 15.11.1999. In the budgetary sphere, Portugal would be granted carry-overs of unutilized appropriations from previous years in 1998 and 1999 (for the record, the Community's financial participation in the implementation of the programme is 80% of eligible expenditure).�