The Council may, in particular, authorize the granting of aid:  
a. for the protection of enterprises handicapped by structural or natural conditions;
b. within the framework of economic development programmes.

Article 43

1. In order to evolve the broad lines of a common agricultural policy, the  Commission shall, immediately this Treaty enters into force, convene a conference  of the Member States with a view to making a comparison of their agricultural  policies, in particular by producing a statement of their resources and needs.

2. Having taken into account the work of the conference provided for in paragraph 1,  after consulting the Economic and Social Committee and within two years of the  entry into force of this Treaty, the Commission shall submit proposals for working  out and implementing the common agricultural policy, including the replacement of  the national organizations by one of the forms of common organization provided for  in Article 40 ( 2 ), and for implementing the measures specified in this Title.

These proposals shall take account of the interdependence of the agricultural matters  mentioned in this Title.

The Council shall, on a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the  European Parliament, acting unanimously during the first two stages and by a  qualified majority thereafter, make regulations, issue directives, or take decisions,  without prejudice to any recommendations it may also make.

3. The Council may, acting by a qualified majority and in accordance with paragraph  2, replace the national market organizations by the common organization provided  for in Article 40 ( 2 ) if:

a. the common organization offers Member States which are opposed to this  measure and which have an organization of their own for the production in  question equivalent safeguards for the employment and standard of living of the  producers concerned, account being taken of the adjustments that will be  possible and the specialization that will be needed with the passage of time;
b. such an organization ensures conditions for trade within the Community similar  to those existing in a national market.

4. If a common organization for certain raw materials is established before a  common organization exists for the corresponding processed products, such raw  materials as are used for processed products intended for export to third countries   may be imported from outside the Community.

Article 44

1. In so far as progressive abolition of customs duties and quantitative restrictions  between Member States may result in prices likely to jeopardize the attainment of the  objectives set out in Article 39, each Member State shall, during the transitional  period, be entitled to apply to particular products, in a non discriminatory manner

<21>