COMMISSION DECISION of 13 March 1997 authorizing the grant by Finland of national aid in the reindeer sector (Only the Finnish and Swedish texts are authentic) (97/236/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to the Act of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden and in particular Annex I (chapter V, subchapter B, section XII 'Remainder`) thereof, which amends Article 5 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 827/68 of 28 June 1968 on the common organization of the market in certain products listed in Annex II to the Treaty (1), as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 195/96 (2), including reindeer and reindeer meat,

Whereas, in accordance with the above provision, Finland may, subject to Commission authorization, grant certain aids for the production and marketing of reindeer and reindeer products; whereas this must not, however, entail any 'increase in traditional levels of production`;

Whereas on 8 July 1996, Finland sent the Commission its project for national aid in the reindeer sector on the basis of Article 93 (3) of the Treaty of Rome; whereas the Commission cannot decide on the basis of Articles 92 to 94 of the Treaty but only under Article 5 of Regulation (EEC) No 827/68;

Whereas by letter of 24 October 1996, Finland answered the Commission's request for further information; whereas Finland, by letters dated 8 July 1996 and 24 October 1996, sent information on the traditional levels of production;

Whereas the aids in question, of unlimited duration, are such as to support reindeer production in Finland and are accompanied by a system to monitor trends in production capacity and should therefore not result in an increase in the traditional levels of production, and therefore comply with the above provision; whereas the Commission should also be regularly informed of the level of production of reindeer and reindeer products in Finland,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The aid measures in the reindeer sector notified by Finland in its letter of 8 July 1996, as amended by letter dated 24 October 1996, are hereby authorized.

Article 2

The Finnish authorities shall send the Commission each year information enabling the Commission to establish whether the traditional levels of production have been complied with.

Article 3

This Decision is addressed to the Republic of Finland.

Done at Brussels, 13 March 1997.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ No L 151, 30. 6. 1968, p. 16.

(2) OJ No L 26, 2. 2. 1996, p. 13.