24. February 2004 Daniel Kruse

Counsil Regulation (EC) No 393/2004 amending Regulation (EC) No 1673/2000 on the common organisation of the markets in flax and hemp grown for fibre
24 February 2004
The second subparagraph of Article 2(3)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1673/2000 (3) lays down that the Member
States may derogate from the limit of 7,5 % impurities and shives and grant processing aid for short flax fibre
containing a percentage of impurities and shives of between 7,5 % and 15 % and for hemp fibre containing
a percentage of impurities and shives of between 7,5, % and 25 %. However, advantage may be taken of this
possibility only until the 2003/04 marketing year.
At the present time, the percentage of impurities and shives in most short flax fibre and hemp fibre obtained
during primary processing exceeds the limit of 7,5 %. In order to consolidate the positive development the sector
is experiencing and to allow for further improvements in competitiveness, the possibility of Member States to
derogate from that limit should be extended for two marketing years.
document: l_06520040303en00040004.pdf