No L 216/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 13. 8. 85 COMMISSION DECISION of 22 May 1985 concerning an aid scheme for potable spirits producers in France (Only the French text is authentic) (85/379/EEC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 93 (2) thereof, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 337/79 of 5 February 1979 on the common organization of the market in wine (*), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 798/85 (3, Having given notice to the parties concerned to submit their comments in accordance with the first - subparagraph of Article 93 (2) of the EEC Treaty, Whereas : I On 3 October 1983, the French Government notified the Commission under Article 93 (3) of the EEC Treaty of a scheme to assist producers of potable spirits, to be implemented subject to the Commis- sion’s approval. By telex dated 6 October 1983, followed by a telexed reminder on 17 November 1983, the Commission asked the French Government to supply further infor- mation about the scheme. In a letter dated 7 December 1983, the French Government sent the Commission a brief reply. On 31 January 1984, the Commission again contacted the French Government requesting further details. By letter dated 13 March 1984 and by telex dated 30 March 1984, the French Government asked the Commission to give it more time to reply. By telex dated 11 April 1984, the French Government sent the Commission additional information, pointing out, however, that the details of certain aids still had to be worked out. The scheme provides for FF 12 million in grants to - armagnac and calvados producers for storage and () OJ No L 54, 5. 3. 1979, p. 1. () OJ No L 89, 29. 3. 1985, p. 1. maturing operations. The anticipated duration of the scheme is three years. The French Government gives as the main reason for awarding such aid the fact that the spirits producers in question are faced with structural and economic diffi- culties. II Armagnac and calvados are products which compete with spirits and alcoholic beverages produced in other Member States, notably whisky, brandies and gin. In 1982, intra-Community trade in all these products was worth approximately 800 million ECU. In recent years, a fall in the consumption of these products has been recorded in most Member States. This is due, on the one hand, to the general economic recession and, on the other, to the increase in the taxes and excise duties levied on such products. In France, sales of alcoholic beverages other than wine and beer fell by 4 % in 1983 compared with 1980. Over the same period, sales of cognac fell by 26,5 %, of armagnac by 17 % and of calvados by 32 %. On the other hand, sales of grain spirits (whisky, gin, etc.) increased by 41 %. The considerable drop in cognac, armagnac and calvados sales is due especially to an increase in the taxes on those products. Armagnac production is dependent on production of the region’s wines and sometimes varies considerably from year to year. Exports to Community countries account for approxi- mately 50 % of sales on the French market. As with armagnac, calvados production varies greatly from one year to the next depending on the apple harvest in Normandy. In 1982, exports to Community countries accounted for approximately 30 % of sales on the French market and 84 % of total calvados exports. 111 Following scrutiny of the planned aid under Article 93 (3) of the EEC Treaty, effected on the basis of the analysis of the market in the products concerned on the one hand, and having regard to the additional information furnished by the French authorities on