
Article 1 
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/559 is amended as follows:

((1)) Article 1 is replaced by the following:
'
Article 1 
Without prejudice to Article 152(3)(b)(i) and Article 209(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, recognised producer organisations, their associations and recognised interbranch organisations in the milk and milk products sector are hereby authorised:

((a)) during a period of six months starting on 13 April 2016 or 13 October 2016 to conclude voluntary joint agreements and take common decisions having a validity ending on 12 October 2016 or 12 April 2017 at the latest, respectively, on the planning of the volume of milk to be produced; or
((b)) to prolong the validity of such agreements or decisions concluded or taken during the period starting on 13 April 2016 for a period not exceeding 12 April 2017.'
((2)) Article 4 is amended as follows:

((a)) Paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
'
2. No later than 25 days after the end of each six-month period referred to in Article 1, the producer organisations, associations or interbranch organisations concerned shall communicate the production volume actually covered by the agreements or decisions to the competent authority referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article.'
((b)) In paragraph 3, point (b) is replaced by the following:
'
(b) no later than 30 days after the end of each six-month period referred to in Article 1, an overview of the agreements and decisions implemented during that period.
'
Article 2 
This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.Done at Brussels, 8 September 2016.
For the Commission
The President
Jean-Claude JUNCKER