5.1.2008 Official Journal of the European Union L 3/1 | (Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is obligatory) REGULATIONS COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 3/2008 of 17 December 2007 on information provision and promotion measures for agricultural products on the internal market and in third countries THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, (3) In the interests of clarity, Regulations (EC) No Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 36 and 37 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament, Whereas: (1) In accordance with Council Regulations (EC) No 2826/2000 () and (EC) No 27021999 (3, the Community may implement information and promo- tional measures on the internal market and on third country markets for certain agricultural products. The results so far have been very encouraging. Taking account of experience gained, the prospects for market development both within and outside the Community and the new international trade situation, it is appropriate to develop an overall, coherent infor- mation and promotion policy for agricultural products and their method of production as well as for food products based on agricultural products, on the internal market and on third country markets, without encouraging the consumption of any product on grounds of its specific origins. (") Council Regulation (EC) No 2826/2000 of 19 December 2000 on = information and promotion actions for agricultural products on the internal market (O] L 328, 23.12.2000, p. 2). Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1182/2007 (O] L 273, 17.10.2007, p. 1). Council Regulation (EC) No 2702/1999 of 14 December 1999 on measures to provide information on, and to promote, agricultural products in third countries (O) L 327, 21.12.1999, p. 7). Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 2060/2004 (O] L 357, 2.12.2004, p. 3). 2702/1999 and (EC) No 2826/2000 should therefore be repealed and replaced by a single regulation, whilst maintaining the specific features of measures according to the market in which they are implemented. Such a policy usefully supplements and reinforces the schemes run by Member States by boosting product image in the eyes of consumers in the Community and in third countries, in particular as regards the quality, nutritional value and safety of foodstuffs and the methods of production. Such action, by helping to open up new markets in third countries, is also likely to have a multiplier effect on national and private initiatives. Criteria should be set for selecting the products and sectors concerned, and the themes and markets to be covered by the Community programmes. It should be possible for the information and promotion measures for agricultural products in third countries to cover both products qualifying for export refunds and products not qualifying for them. The measures should be implemented within the framework of information and promotion programmes. To ensure the consistency and effectiveness of programmes to be carried out on the internal market, guidelines for each product or sector concerned, setting out the essential elements of the Community programmes concerned, should be defined. Given the technical nature of the tasks to be performed, the Commission should be able to be assisted by a committee of communication experts or to have recourse to technical assistants.