27.7.2000 Official Journal of the European Communities L 189/9 COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1648/2000 of 25 July 2000 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2075/92 with regard to the Community Tobacco Fund and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 2427/93 THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2075/92 of 30 June 1992 on the common organisation of the market in raw tobacco (), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1336/ 2000 (3 and in particular Article 14a thereof, Whereas: 1) () ) In accordance with Article 13(1) of Regulation (EEC) No 2075/92, a Community Tobacco Fund is set up. Detailed rules for the application of that provision should be adopted, in particular as regards fixing the deduction of 2% of the premium. Funding should be provided for measures to discourage smoking, and in particular for improving public aware- ness of the dangers of tobacco consumption. Funding should be provided for research to steer tobacco production towards varieties and cultivation methods that result in the least possible harm to human health and are better geared to market conditions and more environment-friendly. Support should be provided for research to create or develop alternative uses for raw tobacco. Action should be taken to finance studies on the possi- bilities for producers of raw tobacco of switching to other crops or activities. Action should be taken also to disseminate the scientific and practical results to national authorities and to the sectors concerned. The financial resources should be allocated to the various Fund objectives in an appropriate way. However, if the funds earmarked for one or other objective are not used up in full, the initial allocation should be adjusted for the benefit of the other objectives. The various proposals presented under the procedures adopted should be assessed in accordance with criteria that will ensure the best possible choice. Provision should be made also for projects to be carried out on the initiative and on behalf of the Commission. To that L 215, 30.7.1992, p. 70. L 154, 27.6.2000, p. 2. (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) end, a call for proposals or, as appropriate, a public invitation to tender seem the most appropriate course. Eligibility criteria should be laid down for natural or legal persons who may present proposals. In the interests of sound administration, the research and information projects approved by the Commission should be carried out within a specified period. The time limit originally envisaged may prove difficult to meet in exceptional cases. Provision should be made, therefore, for the time limit to be extended under certain condi- tions. In order to make the best possible choice and ensure the proper implementation of the approved projects, provi- sion should be made for the Commission to be assisted in the selection of the projects by a scientific and tech- nical committee. The Commission should have access to the services of independent experts in assessing the projects. In order to guarantee the proper implementation of each project accepted for financing by the Fund, it is neces- sary for details of the conditions of implementation to be included in the contracts concluded with the Commission. Where an application is made for an advance, contractors must lodge a security in favour of the Commission on the conditions laid down in Title III of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2220/85 of 22 July 1985 laying down common detailed rules for the application of the system of securities for agricultural products (%), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 1932/1999 (4. Provision should be made to prevent the unjustified cumulation of measures for the same project. Provision should be made for payments to be recovered in certain cases, particularly in the event of irregularities. Commission Regulation (EEC) 242793 of 1 September 1993 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2075/92 with regard to the Community Fund for tobacco research and informa- tion (°), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1620/ 95 (%), should be repealed as its provisions are replaced by those of this Regulation. However, it must continue to apply to projects approved before the entry into force of this Regulation. 8.1985, p. 5. 0.9.1999, p. 11. () O] L 205, 3. ® oL 1 () O] L 223, 2.9.1993, p. 3. () O] L 154, 5.7 1995, p. 12.