Ordinance on producer associations of fruit and vegetables.

The present Ordinance by the Federal Minister for Agriculture and Forestry, Environment and Water Resources implements, inter alia, the Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1432/2003 of 11 August 2003 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No. 2200/96 regarding the conditions for recognition of producer organizations and preliminary recognition of producer groups; the Council Regulation (EC) No. 2200/96 of 28 October 1996 on the common organization of the market in fruit and vegetables. Article 2 names AMA (“Agrarmarkt Austria”) as responsible for the execution of the present Ordinance. To be allowed to operate, fruits and vegetables producer associations must submit an application to the Federal Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Environment and Water Resources. The details of such an application are set out in article 3. Once authorized, they must submit a yearly report to the Minister on their activity. The following articles deal with minimum size of producers associations, minimum duration of membership, provisional acceptance of such associations, duty to report, Funds, change of operational programs, payments of allowances, final provisions. The Ordinance consists of 13 articles.