# COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1084/2004

of 9 June 2004

derogating from Regulation (EC) No 2848/98 as regards the deadline for the conclusion of cultivation contracts between producers and first processors of raw tobacco for the 2004 harvest

## Preamble

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 [^1] , and in particular Article 7 thereof,

Whereas:

**(1)** Under Article 10(1) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 2848/98 of 22 December 1998 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2075/92 as regards the premium scheme, production quotas and the specific aid to be granted to producer groups in the raw tobacco sector [^2] cultivation contracts must be concluded, except in cases of *force majeure* , by 30 May. Pending the adoption of new support arrangements for raw tobacco under Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 of 29 September 2003 establishing common rules for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy and establishing certain support schemes for farmers [^3] , producers and first processors have been unable to conclude cultivation contracts before the deadline. That deadline should therefore be postponed for the 2004 harvest.

**(2)** The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Tobacco,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

## **Article 1**

Notwithstanding Article 10(1) of Regulation (EC) No 2848/98, for the 2004 harvest, cultivation contracts must be concluded, except in cases of *force majeure* , by 30 June 2004.

## **Article 2**

This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following that of its publication in the *Official Journal of the European Union* .

It shall apply from 31 May 2004.

## Final provisions

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. Done at Brussels, 9 June 2004 *For the Commission* Franz FISCHLER *Member of the Commission*

[^1] [OJ L 215, 30.7.1992, p. 70](http://publications.europa.eu/resource/oj/JOL_1992_215_R_TOC) . Regulation last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2319/2003 ( [OJ L 345, 31.12.2003, p. 17](http://publications.europa.eu/resource/oj/JOL_2003_345_R_TOC) ).

[^2] [OJ L 358, 31.12.1998, p. 17](http://publications.europa.eu/resource/oj/JOL_1998_358_R_TOC) . Regulation last amended by the Act of Accession of 2003.

[^3] [OJ L 270, 21.10.2003, p. 1](http://publications.europa.eu/resource/oj/JOL_2003_270_R_TOC) . Regulation last amended by Regulation (EC) No 864/2004 ( [OJ L 161, 30.4.2004, p. 48](http://publications.europa.eu/resource/oj/JOL_2004_161_R_TOC) ).

[^1]: . Regulation last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2319/2003 ().
[^2]: . Regulation last amended by the Act of Accession of 2003.
[^3]: . Regulation last amended by Regulation (EC) No 864/2004 ().