No L 27/30 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 1. 97 COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 97/3/EC of 20 January 1997 amending Directive 77/93/EEC on protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 43 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the European Par- liament (3), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3), Whereas by Directive 77/93/EEC (%), the Council laid down protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community; whereas the protection of plants against such organisms is absolutely necessary to increase agricultural productivity which is one of the objectives of the common agricultural policy; Whereas the completion of the internal market entailed the application of the Community plant-health regime established by Directive 77/93/EEC to the Community, as an area without internal frontiers; Whereas several measures have been adopted to strengthen effective application of the Community plant- health regime in the internal market, which is intended to protect the different areas of the Community (Member States, regional or local entities as well as individual plant growers) against damage caused by the introduction of harmful organisms; Whereas, in addition, it is necessary to establish a system of Community financial contributions to share at Community level the burden of possible risks which might remain in trade under the Community plant-health regime; Whereas, in order to prevent infections by harmful orga- nisms introduced from third countries, there should be a Community financial contribution aimed at reinforcing the plant health inspection infrastructure at the Com- munity’s external frontiers; Whereas the regime should also provide for adequate contributions to certain expenses for specific measures, which Member States have adopted to control and, where applicable, eradicate infections by harmful organisms introduced from third countries or from other areas in the () OJ No C 31,9. 2. 1990, p. 8 and O] No C 205, 6. 8. 1991, p. 16 (3 OJ No C 106, 22. 4. 1991, p. 36 and OJ No C 255, 20. 9. 1993, p. 242. () OJ No C 201, 26. 7. 1993, p. 31. (*) OJ No L 26, 31. 1. 1977, p. 20. Directive as last amended by Commission Directive 96/78/EC (O] No L 321, 12. 12. 1996, p- 20). Community, and, where possible, to repair the damage caused; Whereas the details of the mechanism for granting the Community financial contribution should be determined under a rapid procedure; Whereas it must be ensured that the Commission is informed in full of the possible causes for the introduc- tion of the harmful organisms concerned; Whereas, in particular, the Commission shall monitor correct application of the Community plant-health regime; Whereas, should it be established that the introduction of the harmful organisms has been caused by inadequate examinations or inspections, Community law shall apply in respect of the consequences, taking into account certain specific measures, HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: Article 1 Directive 77/93/EEC is hereby amended as follows: 1. The following paragraph shall be inserted after para- graph 6 of Article 12: ‘6a.  There shall be a Community financial contribu- tion for Member States in order to strengthen inspec- tion infrastructures insofar as they relate to plant- health checks carried out in accordance with the fourth subparagraph of paragraph 6. The purpose of this contribution shall be to improve the provision, at inspection posts other than those at the place of destination, of the equipment and facilities required to carry out inspection and examination and, where necessary, to carry out the measures provided for in paragraph 8, beyond the level already achieved by complying with the minimum conditions stipulated in the implementing provisions pursuant to paragraph 6, fourth subparagraph. The Commission shall propose the entry of suitable appropriations for that purpose in the general budget of the European Communities. Within the limits set by the appropriations available for these purposes, the Community contribution shall cover up to 50 % of expenditure relating directly to improving equipment and facilities.