Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 2199/2003 is replaced by the following:
1.In order to benefit from the single area payment scheme, a farmer shall submit to the competent authority, by a date to be fixed by the new Member State which shall not be later than 15 July 2004, an application indicating the areas eligible according to the conditions referred to in Article 143b(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003.
2.For modifications of applications, within the meaning of Article 8(1) of Regulation (EC) No 2419/2001, to the single area payment scheme, the date referred to in Article 8(2) of Regulation (EC) No 2419/2001 shall be a date to be fixed by the new Member State which shall not be later than 15 July 2004.
3.The single area payment application shall be treated as an aid application within the meaning of Article 2(i) of Regulation (EC) No 2419/2001.’