Council Regulation (EC) No. 951/97 on improving the processing and marketing conditions for agricultural products.

To facilitate the improvement and rationalisation of the treatment, processing and marketing of agricultural products, the Fund may contribute to the financing of investments which satisfy at least one of the following criteria: (a) helping to guide production in keeping with foreseeable market trends or encouraging the development of new outlets for agricultural products, (b) relieving the intervention mechanisms of the market organizations by furthering long-term structural improvement (c) being located in regions which are faced with special problems (d) helping to improve or rationalise marketing channels or processing procedures for agricultural products; (e) helping to improve the quality, presentation and preparation of products or encouraging a better use of by-products, particularly by recycling waste; (f) contributing to the adjustment of sectors facing new situations as a result of the reform of the common agricultural policy; (g) helping to facilitate the adoption of new technologies relating to environmental protection; (h) encouraging the improvement and monitoring of quality and of health conditions. In order to ensure that the marketing and processing sectors develop in a way that is consistent with Community policy the financing of investments must take place within the framework of plans. (22 articles)