4. 4. 85 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 97/49 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 13 February 1985 on the preferential tariff charged to glasshouse growers for natural gas in the Netherlands (Only the Dutch text is authentic) (85/215/EEC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 92 (2) thereof," Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1035/72 of 18 May 1972 on the common organization of the market in fruit and vegetables ('), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 1332/84 (3, and Council Regulation (EEC) No 234/68 of 27 February 1968 on the establishment of a common organization of the market in live trees and other plants, bulbs, roots and the like, cut flowers and ornamental foliage (), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 264/82 (¥, . After having given notice, pursuant to the first subpa- ragraph of Article 93 (2), to those concerned to submit their observations, and having regard to those observa- tions, Taking the following into account: I 1. In the Netherlands special rates are charged for natural gas used in horticulture. About 10 years ago, since the use of heavy fuel oil in horticulture was producing a high degree of air pollution, the Nether- () OJ No L 118, 20. 5. 1972, p. 1. () OJ No L 130, 16. 3. 1984, p. 1. () OJ No L 55, 2. 3. 1968, p. 1. () OJ No L 27, 4. 2. 1982, p. 20. lands Government encouraged the conversion of the sector to natural gas. At present over 95 % of the energy consumed in horticulture in the Netherlands is obtained from. natural gas. 2. To appreciate this particular  situation the following factors should be taken into account: — natural gas in the Netherlands is produced by the - Nederlandse Aardgasmaatschappij (NAM), which works the giant Groningen Field, and a number of other onshore and offshore producers, — the gas is transported, imported, exported and sold directly to the major customers connected to the transport network by the NV Nederlandse Gasunie, Groningen, hereinafter referred to as ‘Gasunie’, S — natural gas is distributed to small customers by local distribution companies belonging to the Vereniging van Exploitanten van gasbedrijven in Nederland, hereinafter referred to as Vegin’. Direct sales by Gasunie represent about 45 % of the total volume of gas distributed. Gasunie serves 136 distribution companies, 29 electric power stations and 389 large industrial undertakings, together with the horticulture sector represented as a whole by the ‘Landbouwschap’. Gasunie concludes standard individual contracts with the big purchasers, whatever the category of consumer concerned. ‘Big purchasers’ are those having an indivi- dual consumption of over 170 000 m?® per year, supplied either directly or indirectly. Gasunie concludes contracts with Vegin for sales to small consumers and horticulturists.