FantasticSearch

1. In order to be recognised by a Member State, the producer organisation applying for such recognition shall be a legal entity or clearly defined part of a legal entity which:

(a) fulfils the requirements laid down in points (a), (b) and (c) of Article 152(1);

(b) has a minimum number of members and/or covers a minimum volume or value of marketable production, to be laid down by the Member State concerned, in the area where it operates; such provisions shall not prevent the recognition of producer organisations which are dedicated to small-scale production;

(c) provides sufficient evidence that it can carry out its activities properly, both over time and in terms of effectiveness, provision of human, material and technical support to its members, and as appropriate concentration of supply;

(d) has statutes that are consistent with points (a), (b) and (c) of this paragraph.

1a. Member States may, on request, decide to grant more than one recognition to a producer organisation operating in several sectors referred to in Article 1(2) provided the producer organisation fulfils the conditions referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article for each sector for which it seeks recognition.

2. Member States may decide that producer organisations which have been recognised before 1 January 2018 and which fulfil the conditions laid down in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be deemed to be recognised as producer organisations pursuant to Article 152.

3. Where producer organisations have been recognised before 1 January 2018 but do not fulfil the conditions set out in paragraph 1 of this Article, Member States shall withdraw their recognition no later than 31 December 2020.

4. Member States shall:

(a) decide whether to grant recognition to a producer organisation within four months of the lodging of an application, accompanied by all the relevant supporting evidence; this application shall be lodged with the Member State where the organisation has its headquarters;

(b) carry out, at intervals to be determined by them, checks to verify that recognised producer organisations are complying with this Chapter;

(c) in the event of non-compliance or irregularities in the application of the measures provided for in this Chapter, impose on those organisations and associations the applicable penalties they have laid down and, if necessary, decide whether recognition should be withdrawn;

(d) inform the Commission by 31 March of each year, of every decision to grant, refuse or withdraw recognition taken during the previous calendar year.