15.3.76 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 67/29 COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 569/76 of 15 March 1976 laying down special measures for linseed THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 43 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (1), ‘ Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (), Whereas the production of linseed is becoming of increasing interest to the Community; whereas, in order to promote the development of this production, which is subjected to direct competition from linseed imported from third countries duty free, provision should be made for appropriate measures of support; ’ Whereas to this end the marketing of Community crops must ensure producers a fair income, the level of which may be defined by a guide price; whereas the difference between this price and the price ascer- tained for linseed on the world market corresponds to the amount of the subsidy which should be granted in order to achieve the desired objective ; ‘ Whereas provision should be made to ensure that expenditure incurred by Member States as a result of the obligations arising out of the application of this Regulation becomes a charge on the Community in accordance with the regulations on the financing of the common agricultural policy, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 1. Each year before 1 August, a guide price for linseed falling within Common Customs Tariff heading No 12.01 shall be fixed for the Community for the marketing year beginning in the following calendar year, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 43 (2) of the Treaty. This price shall " be fixed at a level which is fair to producers, account being taken of the supply requirements of the Community. However, the 1976/77 guide price shall be fixed before 1 August 1976. 2. The guide price shall continue to apply throughout the marketing year in question; this shall cover the period 1 August to 31 July. 3. The guide price shall relate to a standard quality. This quality shall be determined by the Council in accordance with the procedure referred to in paragraph 1. ' Article 2 1. When the guide price valid for a marketing year is higher than the average world market price for linseed, a subsidy equal to the difference between these two prices shall be granted for linseed harvested in the Community. 2. The subsidy shall be granted for a production figure obtained by applying an indicative yield to the surface areas sown and harvested. The indicative yield may be differentiated, taking into account the characteristics of the flax produced and the yield ascertained in the major producing areas in the Community. However, if for the 1976/77 marketing year, as a result of the application of the above subparagraph, the amount of aid for flax grown mainly for seed is less than 125 u.a. per hectare of area sown and harvested, the amount of aid to be granted shall be fixed at 125 u.a. per hectare. 3. The Council, acting by qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, shall lay down: (a) the criteria for the determination of the average world market price;