17.12.2013 Official Journal of the European Union L 338/115 COMMISSION DECISION of 16 December 2013 setting up a framework for civil dialogue in matters covered by the common agricultural policy and repealing Decision 2004/391/EC (2013/767/EU) THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Whereas: (1) Article 38 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union provides that the Union is to define and implement a common agriculture policy. (20 In accordance with Article 11(2) of the Treaty on European Union, the institutions are to maintain an open, transparent and regular dialogue with represen- tative associations and civil society. A dialogue framework dealing with matters covered by the common agricultural policy exists since 1962. Commission Decision 2004/391/EC (') provides for the framework of the current dialogue. (3)  With a view to increase transparency and provide for a better balancing of represented interests it is necessary to review the dialogue in the advisory groups dealing with agriculture issues and to provide for the framework of a civil dialogue in the field of agriculture and rural devel- opment, including the international aspects thereof, and to define their tasks and structure. (4 The civil dialogue groups should assist the Commission and help to hold a regular dialogue on all matters relating to the common agricultural policy, including rural development, and its implementation, and in particular the measures which the Commission is called on to take in that context, including the international aspects of agriculture, bring about an exchange of experience and good practice, advise on policy, deliver an opinion on specific matters upon request of the Direc- torate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development or on their own initiative and monitor policy developments. (5)  The civil dialogue groups should be composed of at least European-level non-governmental organisations, including representative associations, socioeconomic interest groups, civil society organisations and trade unions that are registered in the joint European Trans- parency Register. () Commission Decision 2004/391/EC of 23 April 2004 on the advisory groups dealing with matters covered by the common agri- cultural policy (O] L 120, 24.4.2004, p. 50). (6) In order to facilitate the development of the tasks allocated to the groups, it is necessary to provide for rules on the operation and functioning of the groups. (7)  Personal data should be processed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2). (8)  Decision 2004/391/EC should be repealed, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Atticle 1 Subject matter This decision constitutes the framework for civil dialogue groups dealing with matters covered by the common agri- cultural policy, hereinafter referred to as ‘groups’, set up by the Director-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (‘the Director-General') under the framework for Commission expert groups (3). Atticle 2 Tasks The groups’ tasks shall be: (@) to hold a regular dialogue on all matters relating to the common agricultural policy, including rural development, and its implementation, and in particular the measures which the Commission is called on to take in that context, including the international aspects of agriculture; (b) to bring about an exchange of experience and good practice in the fields referred to in point (a); () to assist the Commission and advise on policy in the fields referred to in point (a); (d) to deliver an opinion on specific matters either upon request of the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (‘the Directorate-General) and within the time limits set in that request, or on their own initiative; (¢) to monitor policy developments in the fields referred to in point (a). (®) Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community insti- tutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data (O] L 8, 12.1.2001, p. 1). () C(2010) 7649.