Ministerial Joint Decree No. 295610/ΑΑ 687 establishing additional measures for the implementation of European Community arrangements with regard to aid for the improvement of production and marketing of apiculture products in the smaller Aegean islands, in compliance with Council Regulation (EC) No. 1405/2006 and Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1914/2006.

With the present Decree are determined the additional measures for the implementation of Community arrangements with regard to specific measures for the improvement of production and marketing of apiculture products (honey, pollen, propolis, wax, etc.) in the smaller Aegean islands, in compliance with Council Regulation (EC) No. 1405/2006 and Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1914/2006. The Decree establishes also the additional measures for the implementation of the Support Programme of apiculture for the smaller islands (except the islands of Crete and Evia) aiming at strengthening this traditional employment and improving the income of the residents in these islands, decreasing the costs of production and compensating the disadvantage deriving from the exceptional geographical nature of the Aegean islands in relation to supply of food and agricultural products. More specifically, the Decree establishes the requirements and administrative procedures for the implementation of the Support Programme. The aid, which amounts to 1.194.180 Euro (up to 12 Euro per hive) and will be covered entirely by EU funds, will be paid on the basis of the number of registered hives in production to cooperatives of beekeepers recognised by the competent authorities, which undertake to implement annual Programmes of Initiatives designed to improve the conditions under which quality honey is produced. The Decree contains in the Annexes ten sample application forms to be used for the administrative procedures of the Programme.