27.6.92 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 173/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION No 1600/92 of 15 June 1992 concerning specific measures for the Azores and Madeira relating to certain agricultural products THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Traty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Articles 42 and 43 thereof, Having regard to the Treaty of Accession of Spain and Portugal, and in particular Article 234 (3) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2). Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3), Whereas Council Decision 91/315/EEC of 26 June 1991 setting up a programme of options specific to the remote and insular nature of Madeira and the Azores (Poseima) (%) outlines the options to be implemented to take account of the specific problems and constraints faced by these very remote regions; Whereas the exceptional geographical situation of these regions in relation to the sources of supply of products used as inputs for the everyday consumption or manufacture of certain essential foodstuffs in the islands imposes costs which constitute a severe handicap to the sectors concerned; whereas this natural handicap can be remedied (1) OJ No C 145, 6. 6. 1992, p. 1 (2) Opinion delivered on 9 June 1992 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (3) Opinion delivered on 27 May 1992 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (4) OJ No L 171, 29. 6. 1991, p. 10 by exemption from levies and/or customs duties on the products in question imported directly from third countries; Whereas, to maintain the competitiveness of the above products of Community origin in the islands, both in order to achieve the Poseima objective of reducing prices by promoting competition between sources of supply and to prevent disruption of traditional trade flows, provision should be made for the supply to these regions of products originating in the rest of the Community on terms equivalent for the end user to exemption from the levy and/or customs duties on products originating in third countries, based on the prices applied to exports to third countries; whereas it will be necessary, in certain cases, to provide for an import certificate system; Whereas the quantities of products benefiting from the specific supply arrangements must be determined within the framework of periodic forecast supply balances, which may be adjusted during the year on the basis of the essential requirements of the local market and taking account of local production and traditional trade flows; Whereas the arrangements in question are intended to reduce production costs and consumer prices; wheréas their actual impact should therefore be monitored; Whereas. to avoid any deflection of trade, products covered by the specific supply arrangements may not be redispatched to other parts of the Community or re-exported to third countries; whereas, however, an