THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 822/87 of 16 March 1987 on the common organization of the market in wine ( 1 ), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 536/97 ( 2 ), and in particular Article 6 (4) thereof,

Whereas, in accordance with Article 6 (1) of Regulation (EEC) No 822/87, all new planting of vines is prohibited until 31 August 1998; whereas, however, there is provision for Member States to grant authorization for new vine planting for the 1996/97 and 1997/98 wine years for areas intended for the production of:

for which the Commission has recognized that production, by reason of its qualitative characteristics, is far from able to satisfy demand;

Whereas requests for the application of that provision in certain regions were submitted by Austria on 6 December 1996, and 22 January and 10 March 1997;

Whereas examination of those requests has revealed that the quality wines psr in question meet the requisite conditions; whereas the limit of 139 ha laid down in the Regulation has not been exceeded;

Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Wine,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: