F1Article 4a
1.
For the purpose of implementing the annual distribution plan referred to in Article 1 of this Regulation, the operators selected in accordance with Article 4(4) and (6) of Regulation (EU) No 807/2010 and the designated organisations referred to in Article 27(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 may submit to the competent authority of the Member State concerned an application for advance payments relating to the cost of transport of products to the storage depots of the designated organisations referred to in point (a) of the second subparagraph of Article 27(7) of Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 and the administrative, transport and storage costs referred to in point (b) of the second subparagraph of that Article. In duly justified cases the Member States may also provide advance payments relating to the cost of the supply of the products to operators selected in accordance with Article 4(4) of Regulation (EU) No 807/2010 provided that, to the satisfaction of the Member States concerned, those operators have demonstrated that prior to 15 October 2012 :
(a)
they have taken legally binding commitments to implement the operation;
(b)
they have significantly progressed with the implementation of the operation; and
(c)
they have taken all measures necessary to ensure that the implementation shall be completed no later than 28 February 2013 .
2.
The competent authority may grant an advance payment up to 100 % of the amount applied for, subject to the establishment of a security equal to 110 % of the advance referred to in paragraph 1. In the case of operators selected in accordance with Article 4(4) of Regulation (EU) No 807/2010, the security referred to in that Article shall be deemed sufficient for the purposes of this Article.
3.
4.
In the case of designated organisations referred to in paragraph 1, the paying agency may accept a written guarantee from a public authority, in accordance with provisions applied in the Member States, covering an amount equal to the percentage referred to in paragraph 2, provided that that public authority undertakes to pay the amount covered by that guarantee in case the entitlement to the advance paid is not established. Member States may also provide for an instrument of equivalent effect, in accordance with the provisions applied in the Member States, on condition that it ensures the repayment of the advance granted in case the entitlement to it is not established.
5.
No later than 15 January 2013 , Member States shall notify the Commission of the total amount of the advance payments made by 15 October 2012 in accordance with paragraph 2 which have not been cleared and which relate to operations that have not yet been completed by the final beneficiaries.