6.8.91 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 218/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 2328/91 of 15 July 1991 on improving the efficiency of agricultural structures THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Articles 42 and 43 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3), . Whereas Council Regulation (EEC) No 797/85 of 12 March 1985 on improving the efficiency of agricultural structures (4), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 3577/90 (%), has been substantially amended on a number of occasions; whereas it is appropriate, for reasons of clarity and ratlonallty, to consolidate the - said Regulation; Whereas, pursuant to Article 1 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 of 24 June 1988 on the tasks of the Structural Funds and their effectiveness and on coordination of their activities between themselves and with the operations of the European Investment Bank and the other existing financial instruments (%), Community action through the Structural Funds, in particular, is to support the achievement of the general objectives set out in Articles 130a and 130c of the Treaty by contributing to the attainment of five priority objectives; whereas it is for the Guidance Section of the European Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) to contribute towards speeding up the adjustment of agricultural structures with a view to reform of the common agricultural policy; Whereas intervention by the EAGGF for the attainment of Objective 5 (a) is governed by Council Regulation (EEC) No 4253/88 of 19 December 1988 laying down provisions (1) OJ No C 82, 27. 3. 1991, p. 7. (2) O] No C 158, 17. 6. 1991. (3) O] No C 159, 17. 6. 1991, p. 31. (*) O] No L 93, 30. 3. 1985, p. 1. (5) O] No L 353, 17. 12. 1990, p. 23. (¥) O] No L 185, 15. 7. 1988, p. 9. for implementating Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 as regards coordination of the activities of the different Structural Funds between themselves and with the operations of the European Investment Bank and the other existing financial instruments (7), and by Council Regulation (EEC) No 4256/88 of 19 December 1988 laying down provisions for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 as regards the EAGGF Guidance Section (8); Whereas this common measure must fit in with other horizontal measures decided on for the attainment of Objective 5 (a); whereas it also reflects certain principles of Community policy and agricultural structures that are generally applicable to any intervention by the Funds; Whereas it is not possible to achieve the objectives of the common agricultural policy set out in Article 39 (1) (a) and ~(b) of the Treaty without aiding the improvement of the efficiency of agricultural structures, especially in regions experiencing particularly acute problems; Whereas this improvement of the efficiency of agricultural structures is an indispensable element in the development of the common agricultural policy; whereas it is therefore necessary that such improvement be based on Community concepts and criteria; Whereas, because of the diversity of their causes, nature and gravity, structural problems in agriculture may require solutions which vary according to region and are capable of adjustment over a period of time; whereas such solutions must contribute to the overall economic and social development of each region concerned; Whereas the situation of agricultural markets has changed, and will change further, as a result of the new direction imposed on the common agricultural policy by the need to secure a gradual drop in output in those sectors where there is a surplus; Whereas, in this context, structural policy must be used to help farmers adapt to this new situation and to cushion the (7) OJ No L 374, 31. 12. 1988, p. 1. (®) OJ No L 374, 31. 12. 1988, p. 25.