JUDGMENT OF 4. 4. 1974 — JOINED CASES 178, 179 AND 180/73 BELGIUM AND LUXEMBOURG v MERTENS

In Joined Cases 178, 179 and 180/73 Reference to the Court of Justice under Article 177 of the EEC Treaty by the Hof van Beroep (Court of Appeal) of Brussels (15th Chamber) for a preliminary ruling in the action pending before that court between

THE COURT composed of: R. Lecourt, President, A. M. Donner (Rapporteur) and M. Sørensen, Presidents of Chamber, R. Monaco, J. Mertens de Wilmars, P. Pescatore, H. Kutscher, C. Ó Dálaigh and Lord Mackenzie Stuart, Judges, Advocate-General: G. Reischl Registrar: A. Van Houtte

gives the following

JUDGMENT

Facts

I — Facts and procedure

II — Written observations submitted under Article 20 of the Statute

1. Characteristics of the regulations on the financing of the agricultural policy

(a) First stage

(b) Second stage, from 1 July 1967 to 31 December 1970

(c) Third stage, commencing 1 January 1970

2. Observations on the first question

3. On the second question

As a subsidiary point

Grounds of judgment

Costs

1 Translator's note: party claiming damages in criminal proceedings.