L 270114 Official Journal of the European Union 21.10.2003 COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1786/2003 of 29 September 2003 on the common organisation of the market in dried fodder THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 36 and the third subparagraph of Article 37(2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (%), Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (2), Having regard to the Opinion of the Committee of the Regions (%), Whereas: (1)  Council Regulation (EC) No 603/95 of 21 February 1995 of the common organisation of the market in dried fodder (*) establishes a common organisation of that market with aid granted at two flat rates, one for dehydrated fodder and one for sun-dried fodder. (2)  Regulation (EC) No 603/95 has been substantially amended several times. As a consequence of further amendments it should be repealed and replaced in the interests of clarity. (3)  The main part of fodder production under the scheme established by Regulation (EC) No 603/95 relies on the use of fossil fuel for dehydrating and, in some Member States, on the use of irrigation. Due to concerns about its effects on the environment, the scheme should be amended. (4)  Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 of 29 September 2003 establishing common rules for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy and establishing support schemes for farmers (°). (5) Following these elements, the two aid rates set by Regulation (EC) No 603/95 should be reduced to a (') Opinion delivered on 5 June 2003 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (3 0] C 208, 3.9.2003, p. 41. (}) Opinion delivered on 2 July 2003 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (*) OJ L 63, 21.3.1995, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 806/2003 (O] L 122, 16.5.2003, p. 1). () See page 1 of this Official Journal. (10) 12) single rate applicable to both dehydrated and sun-dried fodder. Since production in southern countries begins in April, the marketing year for dried fodder on which aid is granted should be from 1 April to 31 March. To guarantee budget neutrality for dried fodder there should be a ceiling for the volume of Community production. To that end a maximum guaranteed quantity should be set covering both dehydrated and sun-dried fodder. That quantity should be divided among the Member States on the basis of the historical quantities recognised for the purposes of Regulation (EC) No 603/95. To secure respect for the guaranteed maximum quantity and discourage excess production throughout the Community, the aid should be reduced if that quantity is exceeded. That reduction should be applied in each Member State which has exceeded its guaranteed national quantity, in proportion to the excess recorded for it. The aid amount finally due cannot be paid until it is known whether the guaranteed maximum quantity has been exceeded. An advance on the aid should therefore be paid once the dried fodder has left the processor. Minimum quality requirements for entitlement to the aid should be set. To encourage a steady flow of green fodder to processors, eligibility for the aid should in certain cases require conclusion of a contract between producers and processing undertakings. To promote transparency of the production chain and facilitate essential checking, certain particulars in contracts should be made compulsory. To receive the aid, processors should therefore be required to keep stock records providing necessary information for checking entitlement and to furnish any other supporting document needed.