L 2894 Official Journal of the European Union 7.11.2007 COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1299/2007 of 6 November 2007 on the recognition of producer groups for hops (Codified version) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community; Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1952/2005 of 23 November 2005 concerning the common organisation of the market in hops and repealing Regulations (EEC) No 1696/71, (EEC) No 103772, (EEC) No 87973 and (EEC) No 1981/82 (1), and in particular Article 17 thereof, Whereas: (1)  Commission Regulation (EEC) No 135172 of 28 June 1972 on the recognition of producer groups for hops (3 has been substantially amended several times (*). In the interests of clarity and rationality the said Regulation should be codified. (2)  The conditions laid down in Article 7(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1952/2005 for the recognition of producer groups for hops include, in particular, the application of common rules for production and placing on the market at the first stage of marketing in addition to proof of economically viable activity. Those conditions must be specified. (3)  In order to ensure a certain uniformity in administrative procedure, detailed rules should be laid down for the application, granting and withdrawal of recognition. (4 For the information of Member States and parties concerned, a list should be published at the beginning of each calendar year, of groups which were recognised during the previous calendar year and of those from whom recognition was withdrawn. (5)  The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the Opinion of the Management Committee for hops, () OJ L 314, 30.11.2005, p. 1, as corrected by OJ L 317, 3.12.2005, p. 29. (®» OJ L 148, 30.6.1972, p. 13. Regulation as last amended by Regu- lation (EEC) No 3858/87 (O] L 363, 23.12.1987, p. 27). (%) See Annex L HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 1. The common rules referred to in Article 7(2)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EC) No 1952/2005 shall be laid down in writing. These rules shall comprise at least: (a) as regards production: (i) provisions concerning the use of one or more specified varieties when renewing plantations or creating new ones; (ii) provisions concerning compliance with certain methods of cultivation and plant protection; (ili) provisions concerning harvesting, drying and, where appropriate, preparation for marketing; (b) as regards placing on the market, particularly where concen- tration and conditions of supply are concerned: (i) general provisions governing sales by the group; (ii) provisions relating to the quantities which the producers are authorised to sell themselves and the rules governing these sales. 2. ‘The first marketing stage’ means the sale of hops by the producer himself or, in the case of a producers’ group, the sale of hops by its members to the wholesale trade or to the user industries. Atrticle 2 1. If it is to be recognised, a producer group must include areas of at least 60 hectares and at least seven producers. In the case of Greece, the minimum number of hectares shall be reduced to 30.