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DOCUMENTS CONCERNING THE ACCESSION OF THE KINGDOM OF SPAIN AND THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC TO THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, ACT CONCERNING THE CONDITIONS OF ACCESSION OF THE KINGDOM OF SPAIN AND THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC AND THE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE TREATIES, PROTOCOL 24 ON AGRICULTURAL STRUCTURES IN PORTUGAL
Official Journal L 302 , 15/11/1985 P. 0464
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Protocol 24
on agricultural structures in Portugal
1 . As from the date of accession , joint action shall be embarked upon in favour of Portugal , in accordance with the objectives of the common agricultural policy , comprising a specific development programme adapted to the special structural conditions of Portuguese agriculture . The programme , which shall extend over a total period of 10 years , shall have as its particular objectives the substantial improvement of production and marketing conditions together with an improvement in the structural situation of the Portuguese agricultural sector as a whole .
2 . The Community shall implement this programme of action in favour of Portugal in a manner on a par with measures already in existence in the Community for its least favoured areas . This programme will be directed towards developing rural infrastructures , agricultural advisory services and the possibilities for vocational training and will contribute towards the reorientation of production , including irrigation , when this proves necessary , drainage and field improvement works .
Furthermore , the Community shall implement the programme in such a way as to meet specifically the needs and special situation of Portugal . The programme shall include , in particular , measures , still to be defined , intended to contribute efficiently to the cessation of activities . At all events , these measures may not be less favourable than those enjoyed by the Member States of the Community as at present constituted , and the conditions for eligibility for Community financing must be adapted to the specific features of the situation in Portugal .
3 . The Community will contribute to the desirable objective of the development of agricultural structures in Portugal with a view to attaining objectives in the short , medium and long term as follows :
( a ) short term : improving agricultural advisory services and existing farming conditions by better distribution of available resources , without this entailing a change in the size of holdings or large-scale rationalization measures ; improving , moreover , processing and marketing plants as far as possible , bearing in mind the dominant features , or the features as envisaged , of agricultural production ;
( b ) medium term : developing a sound infrastructure and the irrigation of areas of dry cultivation , encouraging better use of land and laying down and developing efficient measures for agricultural advisory services , training for agriculture and agricultural research . In this context , the more long-term aspects of cattle improvement could also be considered , such as performance testing and progeny testing of male breeding animals ;
( c ) long term : this would consist essentially of promoting the reparcelling of holdings which have been split up and the enlargement of holdings which are not viable at the moment . At the same time an endeavour should be made to correct the imbalance in the age pyramid of the farming population by encouraging elderly farmers to retire and , where appropriate , by implementing measures , aimed at making it easier for young people to join the profession under conditions which offer a guarantee as to the long-term viability of their holding .
4 . The total estimated cost to be borne by the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund , Guidance Section , for application of the specific programme covering in particular the desolate regions of Portugal , including those of the autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira , shall be in the order of 700 million ECU for its 10 year application period , i.e . in the order of 70 million ECU each year .
5 . The rate of Community financing of the expenditure eligible under the specific programme shall be fixed with account being taken of the rates which have been , are or will be applied to the least favoured regions of the Community for similar measures .
6 . The Council , acting by qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission , shall adopt , under the conditions provided for in Article 258 of the Act of Accession , the procedures for the specific programme .
7 . Before 1 January 1991 , the Commission shall present the Council with an appraisal report on the execution of the specific programme .
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