1.7.97 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 173/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1221/97 of 25 June 1997 laying down general rules for the application of measures to improve the production and marketing of honey THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 42 and 43 thereof, Having regard to.the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the European Par- liament (%), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), Whereas the Commission has sent to the European Par- liament and the Council a discussion paper on European beekeeping in which the situation and the difficulties of this sector have been explained; Whereas beekeeping is a sector of agriculture, the main functions of which are economic activity and rural de- velopment, the production of honey and other products of the hive and the maintenance of ecological balance; Whereas the sector is marked by diversity of production conditions and yields and by the dispersion and variety of producers and traders; whereas there is an imbalance between supply and demand on the Community market for honey; Whereas, in view of the spread of varroasis in several Member States in recent years and the problems which this disease and associated diseases cause for honey production, action by the Community is necessary; Whereas, given these circumstances and in order to improve the production and marketing of honey in the Community, national programmes should be established () OJ No C 378, 13. 12. 1996, p. 20. () O] No C 200, 30. 6. 1997. () OJ No C 133, 28. 4. 1997. without delay for each year comprising technical assist- ance, measures to control varroasis and related diseases, a rationalization of transhumance, the management of re- gional beekeeping centres and cooperation on research programmes to improve the quality of honey; Whereas, in order to supplement the statistical data on the agricultural sector, Member States should carry out studies on the structure of the sector, covering production, marketing and price formation; Whereas expenditure by the Member States in fulfilment of the obligations arising from this Regulation should be borne by the Community pursuant to Article 3 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 729/70 of 21 April 1970 on the financing of the common agricultural policy (*); Whereas the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission made a Declaration on 6 March 1995 on the incorporation of financial provisions into legislative acts (%), HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 1. This Regulation lays down measures for improving general conditions for the production and marketing of honey which complies with the definition given in Council Directive 74/409/EEC of 22 July 1974 on the harmonization of the laws of the Member States relating to honey (%). To this end, Member States may lay down national programmes for each year. (9 OJ No L 94, 28. 4. 1970, p. 13. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1287/95 (O] No L 125, 8. 6. 1995, p. 1). () OJ No C 102, 4. 4. 1996, p. 4. () OJ No L 221, 12. 8. 1974, p. 10. Directive as amended by the 1985 Act of Accession.