11.7.2002 Official Journal of the European Communities L 181/9 COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1243/2002 of 10 July 2002 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 as regards the flat-rate aid for hazelnuts harvested during the 2001/02 marketing year THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 of 28 October 1996 on the common organization of the market in fruit and vegetables (*), as last amended by Commission Regula- tion (EC) No 545/2002 (%), and in particular Article 55 thereof, Whereas: (1)  In order to deal with the particularly difficult market conditions in the hazelnut sector, flat-rate aid is granted for the 2001/02 marketing year. 2)  Inaccordance with the objectives of the common organi- sation of the markets, that aid is granted to producer organisations recognised under Council Regulation (EEC) No 1035/72 (’), as last amended by Commission Regula- tion (EC) No 1363/95 (%), or Regulation (EC) No 2200/ 96. To enhance the results produced by the specific measures already implemented, that aid is granted only on condition that the aforementioned producer organisa- tions implement in 2001 either a quality improvement plan within the meaning of Article 14(d) of Regulation (EEC) No 1035/72 or an operational programme within the meaning of Regulation (EC) No 2200/96. (3)  The beginning of the marketing year should be amended to take account of the effective harvest of hazelnuts, without however excluding from the scope of aid the products brought by the producers who joined the orga- nisations between 1 and 31 August 2001. (4)  To ensure efficient payment of aid due to the benefici- aries, deadlines should be set for the producer organisa- tions to lodge their applications and for payment of aid by the competent authorities. (5)  Since the aid is granted to the producers of hazelnuts, the producer organisation must pay the amount received in full to the producers, although an administration charge may be retained by the producer organisation. (6)  To ensure the effectiveness of the system of flat-rate aid, procedures should be laid down for checks and, where undue payments are made, penalties. (7)  The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, () OJL 279, 21.11.1996, p. 1. () OJ L 84,28.3.2002, p. 1. () OJL 118, 20.5.1972, p. 1. () OJL132,16.6.1995, p. 1. HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 1. The flat-rate aid of EUR 15 per 100 kilograms referred to in Article 55 of Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 shall be granted to producer organisations which: (a) implemented in 2001 a quality and marketing improve- ment plan within the meaning of Article 14(d) of Regula- tion (EEC) No 1035/72 and are not eligible for an extension of said plan under Articles 1 and 2 of Regulation (EC) No 545/2002, and/or (b) have been recognised pursuant to: (i) Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 and imple- mented an action plan in 2001, or (ii) Article 11 of Regulation (EC) No 2200/96, and imple- mented an operational programme in 2001. 2. To qualify for this aid, producer organisations must be recognised in respect of their production of hazelnuts. Article 2 1. The aid referred to in Article 1 shall be allocated for hazelnuts in their shells falling within CN code 0802 21 00, of sound, fair and merchantable quality produced by members of the producer organisation during the 2001/02 marketing year, delivered to the producer organisation and taken over by that organisation. 2. ‘Members of the producer organisation’ shall mean members belonging to the producer organisation at the begin- ning of the 2001/02 marketing year and new members who joined the organisation up to 31 August 2001. 3. The hazelnut 2001/02 marketing year shall begin on 1 August 2001 and finish on 31 July 2002. Article 3 1. Producer organisations shall submit an aid application to the competent authorities not later than 30 September 2002 for quantities produced during the 2001/02 marketing year, accompanied by supporting documentation.