No L 142/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 2.6.97 COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 951/97 of 20 May 1997 on improving the processing and marketing conditions for agricultural products 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 regafd to the opinion of the European Parliament (2), - Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (), (1)  Whereas Council Regulation (EEC) No 866/90 of 29 March 1990, on improving the processing and marketing conditions for agricultural products (#) has been substantially amended several times; whereas, in the event of new amendments being made to the said Regulation, in order to clarify and rationalize matters, the provisions in question should be recast; (2)  Whereas Article 10 (1) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 4256/88 of 19 December 1988 laying down provisions for implementing Regulation (EEC} No 2052/88 as regards the EAGGF Guidance Section (%) provides for a Council Decision on the forms of the Fund’s contribution to measures to improve the conditions under which agricultural products are processed and marketed with a view to achieving the objectives referred to in Council Regulation (EEC) No 4253/88 of 19 December 1988, laying down provisions for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 as regards coordination of the activities of the () O] No C 115, 19.4.1996, p. 53. (*) Opinion delivered on 13 May 1997 (not yet published in the Official Journal). ) O] No C 204, 15.7.1996, p. 38. (*) OJ No L 91, 6.4.1990, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2843/94 (O] No L 302, 25.11.1994, p. 1). () OJ No L 374, 31.12.1988, p. 25. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EEC) No 2085/93 (O] No L 193, 31.7.1993, p. 44), different Structural Funds between themselves and with the operations of the European Investment Bank and the other existing financial instruments (%); (3)  Whereas the types of investments eligible for a contribution from the EAGGF Guidance Section {hereinafter referred to as ‘the Fund’) should be defined, taking account of the current situation both on the agricultural markets and in the agriculture and food sector, as well as the prospects for developing outlets for agricultural products; (4)  Whereas, in order to ensure a coherent improvement in the processing and marketing of agricultural products, financial assistance from the Fund for investments in that field should be made conditional on the inclusion of such investments in sectoral plans containing an in-depth analysis of the situation in the sector and the proposed improvement; (5)  Whereas, for such plans, the Commission should adopt sectoral Community support frameworks, to be drawn up in agreement with the Member States concerned, within the framework of the partnership, taking account, as appropriate of the Community support frameworks adopted for plans relating to Objectives 1, 6 and § (b) defined in Article 1 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 of 24 June 1988, on the tasks of the Structural Funds and their effectiveness and on coordination of their activities between themselves and with the operations of the European Investment Bank and the other existing financial instruments (7); (6)  Whereas an effective means should be adopted for ensuring that Community action is consistent with (*) OJ No L 374, 31.12.1988, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 3193/94 (O] No L 337, 24.12.1994, p. 11). (") OJ No L 185, 15.7.1988, p. 9. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 3193/94 (O] No L 337, 24.12.1994, p. 11).