28. 8. 93 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 218/53 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 24 February 1993 concerning an AIMA national programme on aid for the benefit of olive oil producer organizations and associations thereof (Only the Italian text is authentic) (93/468/EEC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 93 (2) thereof, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 136/66 of 22 September 1966 on the establishment of a common organization of the market in oils and fats ('), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 2046/92 (%), and in particular Article 33 thereof, After giving notice to the parties concerned, in accor- dance with Article 93 (2) of the EEC Treaty, to submit their comments (%), Whereas : By letter dated 5 November 1991, the Permanent Repre- sentation of Italy to the European Communities notified the Commission, in accordance with Article 93 (3) of the EEC Treaty, of a national programme concerning aid for olive oil producer organizations and associations thereof established by AIMA (the Italian intervention agency). The programme in question was based on a decision of the CIPE (Joint Ministerial Committee for Economic Planning) of 4 December 1990, which, in its last two () OJ No 172, 30. 9. 1966, p. 3025/66. () O] No L 215, 30. 7. 1992, p. 1. () O] No C 164, 1. 7. 1992, p. 2. paragraphs, stipulates that the programme could be implemented only after notification to the Commission and verification of its compatibility with Community rules. The programme involves an aid of Lit 6 billion for olive oil producer organizations and associations thereof to finance the activities for which they are responsible under the relevant Community rules. The Italian authorities invoked Article 8 (2) of Commis- sion Regulation (EEC) No 3061/84 (*), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 1318/92 (%), which provides for the possibility for Member States, under certain conditions, to grant aid to producer organizations and associations thereof. The Italian authorities moreover indicated that they considered such aid to be justified on the grounds that olive oil production in the 1990/91 marketing year was very low and that therefore the aid granted to producer organizations and associations thereof under Regulation (EEC) No 3061/84 was also very low. II 1. By letter dated 14 April 1992 the Commission noti- fied the Italian Government that it had decided to initiate the procedure provided for in Article 93 (2) of the EEC Treaty in respect of the aid scheme in question. () OJ No L 288, 1. 11. 1984, p. S2. () OJ No L 140, 23. 5. 1992, p. 11.