Honey: measures to improve the production and marketing

OBJECTIVE: to extend the time limit laid down by Regulation (EC) No 1221/97 laying down general rules for the application of measures to improve the production and marketing of honey. SUBSTANCE: due to the time limit laid down by Regulation (EC) No 1221/97 for the first year, the national programmes for the improvement of honey production and marketing applied only from 12/03/1998. On the other hand, that Regulation provided for a deadline of 15 October each year by which expenditures must be made. In order to avoid too big a reduction in the national programme period in the first year, it is proposed that the deadline for payments be extended to 31/01/1999. �