13. 9. 96 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 232/11 COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1771/96 of 12 September 1996 laying down detailed rules for implementation of the specific measures for the supply of hops to the French overseas departments THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3763/91 of 16 December 1991 introducing specific measures in respect of certain agricultural products for the benefit of the French overseas departments ('), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2598/95 (3), and in particular Article 2 (6) thereof, Whereas, for the purpose of applying Article 2 of Regula- tion (EEC) No 3763/91, the forecast supply balance for hops and the level of aid for their supply from the rest of the Community to the French overseas departments should be established; whereas the aid should be fixed in particular on the basis of the cost of supplies from the world market and the conditions resulting from the geographical location of the French overseas departments; Whereas Commission Regulation (EEC) No 131/92 (%), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1736/96 (%), lays down common detailed rules for implementing the specific measures for the supply of certain agricultural products to the French overseas departments; whereas additional detailed rules tailored to commercial practices for hops should be adopted, especially as regards the vali- dity of aid certificates and the amount of security to ensure that operators meet their obligations; Whereas this Regulation should apply immediately to permit licences to be issued as quickly as possible; Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Hops, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 For the purposes of Article 2 of Regulation (EEC) No 3763/91, the forecast supply balance for hops falling () OJ No L 356, 24. 12. 1991, p. 1. () O] No L 267, 9. 11. 1995, p. 1. () O] No L 15, 22. 1. 1992, p. 13. () OJ No L 225, 6. 9. 1996, p. 3. within CN codes 1210 and 1302 13 00 exempt from duty on importation into the French overseas departments or, for products from the rest of the Community, eligible for Community aid is hereby set at 15 tonnes for the period 1 July 1996 to 30 June 1997. This quantity is allocated as laid down in the Annex. The French authorities may adjust the allocation within the overall limit set. They shall inform the Commission of any such adjustment. Article 2 For the purposes of Article 2 (4) of Regulation (EEC) No 3763/91, aid for supplying the French overseas depart- ments with hops from other parts of the Community is hereby set, having regard to the forecast supply balance, at ECU 12,08 per 100 kilograms. Article 3 France shall designate the competent authority for: (a) issuing the exemption certificates provided for in Article 2a (1) of Regulation (EEC) No 131/92; (b) issuing the aid certificates provided for in Article 3 (1) of Regulation (EEC) No 131/92; (c) paying the aid to the operators concerned. Article 4 1. Applications for certificates shall be submitted to the competent authority within the first five working days of each month. Applications for certificates shall only be admissible if: (a) the quantity applied for does not exceed that published by the French authorities as available from the supply balance; (b) before the expiry of the time limit laid down for submitting certificate applications, proof has been provided that the party concerned has lodged a secu- rity of ECU 3,02 per 100 kilograms. Applications shall be submitted for the first time at the beginning of August 1996. 2. Certificates shall be issued on the 10th working day of each month, at the latest.