Reference period and ceiling on Union financial assistance
Article 32
1. Member States shall determine for each producer organisation, association of producer organisations, transnational producer organisation, transnational association of producer organisations or producer group a 12-month reference period, starting no earlier than 1 January of the year that is 3 years prior to the year for which the aid is requested and ending no later than 31 December of the year preceding the year for which the aid is requested. The 12-month reference period shall be the accounting period of the producer organisation, association of producer organisations, transnational producer organisation, transnational association of producer organisations or producer group concerned. The methodology for fixing the reference period shall not vary during a programme except in duly justified situations. 2. Member States shall decide whether the ceiling on Union financial assistance to the operational fund is calculated each year, either: (a) on the basis of the value of the marketed production during the reference period of the producers who are members of the producer organisation, association of producer organisations, transnational producer organisation, transnational association of producer organisations or producer group on 1 January of the year for which the aid is requested; or (b) on the basis of the actual value of the marketed production in the reference period concerned of the producer organisation, association of producer organisations, transnational producer organisation, transnational association of producer organisations or producer group concerned. In that case, the rule shall apply to all non-transnational beneficiaries in that Member State. 3. Where for a product a reduction of at least 35 % in the value of marketed production for a given year in relation to the average of three previous 12-month reference periods has occurred, the following shall apply: (a) if the reduction occurred due to reasons falling outside the responsibility and control of the producer organisation, association of producer organisations, transnational producer organisation, transnational association of producer organisations or producer group, the value of marketed production of that product shall be deemed to represent 65 % of the average value in the three previous 12-month reference periods; (b) if the reduction occurred due to natural disasters, climatic events, plant diseases or pest infestations falling outside the responsibility and control of the producer organisation, association of producer organisations, transnational producer organisation, transnational association of producer organisations or producer group, the value of marketed production of that product shall be deemed to represent 85 % of the average value in the three previous 12-month reference periods. In both cases, the producer organisation, association of producer organisations, transnational producer organisation, transnational association of producer organisations or producer group shall prove to the competent authority of the Member State concerned that those reasons were falling outside its responsibility and control. Where the producer organisation, association of producer organisations, transnational producer organisation, transnational association of producer organisations or producer group proves to the Member State concerned that those reasons were falling outside its responsibility and control and that they have taken the necessary preventive measures, the value of marketed production of that product shall be deemed to represent 100 % of its average value in the three previous 12-month reference periods.