Support for the setting-up of producer groups
Article 175
1. Assistance referred to in Article 171(2)(b) may be granted to facilitate the setting-up and administrative operation of producer groups, for the purposes of: (a) adapting the production and output of the members of producer groups to market requirements; (b) jointly placing goods on the market, including preparation for sale, centralisation of sale, and supply to bulk buyers; (c) establishing common rules on production information, with particular regard to harvesting and availability. 2. Assistance under this measure shall not be granted to producer groups which have been officially recognised by the relevant national authority of the beneficiary country before 1 January 2007 and/or before the approval of the programme referred to in Article 184. Professional and/or inter-professional organisations representing one or more sectors do not qualify as producer groups. 3. Assistance shall be granted as a flat-rate aid in annual instalments for the first five years following the date on which the producer group was recognised. It shall be calculated on the basis of the group's annual marketed production and shall fulfil the following requirements: (a) amount for the first, second, third, fourth and fifth years to 5 %, 5 %, 4 %, 3 % and 2 % respectively of the value of marketed production up to 1 million euros, (b) amount for the first, second, third, fourth and fifth years, to 2,5 %, 2,5 %, 2,0 %, 1,5 % and 1,5 % respectively of the values of marketed production exceeding 1 million euros, (c) be subject to a ceiling for each producer organisation of: — EUR 100 000 for the first year — EUR 100 000 for the second year — EUR 80 000 for the third year — EUR 60 000 for the fourth year — EUR 50 000 for the fifth year.