(1)

Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 lays down, pursuant to the outcome of the Uruguay Round multilateral trade negotiations, the criteria whereby the Commission fixes the standard values for imports from third countries, in respect of the products and periods stipulated in the Annex thereto.

(2)

In compliance with the above criteria, the standard import values must be fixed at the levels set out in the Annex to this Regulation,

(1)

Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2131/93 (2) lays down the procedure and conditions for the disposal of cereals held by intervention agencies.

(2)

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1065/2005 (3) has opened a standing invitation to tender for the export of 430 000 tonnes of barley held by the German intervention agency.

(3)

Germany has informed the Commission of its intervention agency’s intention to increase by 100 000 tonnes the quantity put out to tender for export. In view of this request, of the quantity available and of the market situation, the request made by Germany should be granted.

(4)

Regulation (EC) No 1065/2005 should therefore be amended.

(5)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Cereals,

(1)

Annexes I to VI to Regulation (EC) No 805/2004 contain a series of standard forms to be used in the context of the European Enforcement Order procedure for uncontested claims.

(2)

Following the accession of new Member States on 1 May 2004, Annexes I to VI to Regulation (EC) No 805/2004 should be replaced so as to adapt the standard forms for use in the new Member States.

(3)

Regulation (EC) No 805/2004 should therefore be amended accordingly,

(1)

Following negotiations conducted in accordance with Article XXVIII of GATT 1994, the Community amended the conditions governing imports of garlic. Since 1 June 2001 the normal customs duty for imports of garlic falling within CN code 0703 20 00 has consisted of an ad valorem customs duty of 9,6 % and a specific amount of EUR 1 200 per tonne net. However, a quota of 38 370 tonnes free of specific duty was opened by an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the Argentine Republic pursuant to Article XXVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 for the modification of concessions with respect to garlic provided for in Schedule CXL annexed to the GATT, approved by Council Decision 2001/404/EC (2) (hereinafter the GATT quota). The Agreement stipulates that the quota is to be divided up into 19 147 tonnes for imports from Argentina (order numbers 09.4104 and 09.4099), 13 200 tonnes for imports from China (order numbers 09.4105 and 09.4100) and 6 023 tonnes for imports from other countries (order numbers 09.4106 and 09.4102).

(2)

Garlic may also be imported outside the GATT quota at the normal duty or on preferential terms under agreements concluded between the Community and certain third countries.

(3)

Garlic is an important product of the European Union’s fruit and vegetables sector, with an annual production of around 250 000 tonnes in the EU. The annual import from third countries is also significant, ranging from 60 000 to 80 000 tonnes. The two main third country suppliers are China (30 000 to 40 000 tonnes per year) and Argentina (around 15 000 tonnes per year).

(4)

The conditions governing the administration of these quotas are laid down in Commission Regulation (EC) No 565/2002 of 2 April 2002 establishing the method for managing tariff quotas and introducing a system of certificates of origin for garlic imported from third countries (3). In the light of experience gained in the application of that Regulation, some of the current conditions need to be amended in order to simplify and clarify the system.

(5)

Since there is a specific duty on non-preferential imports outside the GATT quota, the management of the GATT quota requires the introduction of a system of import licences. Such a system should permit the detailed monitoring of all garlic imports. The detailed rules for that system should supplement, and might need to derogate from, those laid down by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1291/2000 of 9 June 2000 laying down common detailed rules for the application of the system of import and export licences and advance fixing certificates for agricultural products (4).

(6)

In order to monitor all imports as closely as possible, in particular following recent incidents involving fraud, two categories of import licences should also be introduced for all imports of garlic. Experience shows that fraud is typically carried out by transhipping Chinese garlic through third countries having preferential trade agreements with the European Community. The garlic enters the EU with false documents.

(7)

The switchover from one system to the other should be as smooth as possible. To that end, certain of the detailed rules for the application of Regulation (EC) No 565/2002 should be carried over and the traditional import timetable should be maintained.

(8)

Imports of garlic should be monitored in accordance with Article 308d of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 of 2 July 1993 laying down provisions for the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs Code (5).

(9)

There should continue to be an adequate supply of garlic on the Community market at stable prices whilst avoiding unnecessary market disruptions in the form of severe price fluctuations and adverse effects on the Community producers. To that end, greater competition amongst importers should be encouraged and administrative burdens on importers reduced.

(10)

In the interest of existing importers, who normally import substantial quantities of garlic, and also in that of new importers joining the market, who should also have a fair opportunity to apply for import licences for a quantity of garlic under tariff quotas, a distinction should be drawn between traditional importers and new importers. A clear definition of those two categories of importers should be provided and certain criteria relating to the status of the applicants and the use of the import licences allocated should be laid down.

(11)

The quantities to be allocated to those categories of importers should be determined on the basis of the quantities actually imported rather than on the basis of the import licences issued.

(12)

In order to allow importers in the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia (hereinafter the new Member States) to benefit under this Regulation, arrangements should be laid down covering the 2005/06 and 2006/07 import periods to ensure that a distinction is made between, on the one hand, traditional importers and new importers within the Community as constituted at 30 April 2004 and, on the other hand, traditional importers and new importers in the new Member States.

(13)

In order to take account of the different trade patterns in the different new Member States, the competent authorities of the new Member States should be allowed to choose between two methods for establishing the reference quantity of their traditional importers.

(14)

Applications for import licences to import garlic from third countries presented by importers of both categories should be subject to certain restrictions. Such restrictions are necessary to ensure not only that competition between importers is safeguarded but also that importers genuinely engaged in commercial activity in the fruit and vegetable market are given the opportunity to defend their legitimate trading positions vis-à-vis other importers and that no single importer is able to control the market.

(15)

In order to safeguard competition between genuine importers and to prevent speculation in the allocation of import licences and any abuse of the system that would run contrary to the legitimate trading positions of new and traditional importers, more stringent controls on the correct use of import licences should be put in place. To that end, the transfer of import licences should be prohibited.

(16)

With a view to reducing the importers’ administrative burden and the possibilities of fraud, import licence applications should be presented only in the Member State where the importer is entered in a register.

(17)

Measures are also needed to keep to a minimum speculative applications for import licences that may result in the tariff quotas not being fully utilised. Because of the nature and the value of the product, a security as referred to in Article 15(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1291/2000 should be lodged in respect of each tonne of garlic for which an import licence application is lodged. The security should be of an amount that is high enough to discourage speculative applications but not so high as to discourage those genuinely engaged in commercial activity in garlic. The most appropriate objective level for the security is 5 % of the average additional duty applicable to imports of garlic falling within CN code 0703 20 00.

(18)

To ensure that the GATT quota is managed properly, the measures to be taken by the Commission where the quantities of garlic of a specific origin or for a specific quarter covered by import licence applications exceed those fixed by Decision 2001/404/EC, added to the unused quantities from import licences previously issued, should be determined. Where such measures involve applying an allocation coefficient when the import licences are issued, it should be possible to withdraw applications for those import licences with immediate release of the security.

(19)

To ensure that the quotas are used properly, the Member States should regularly notify the Commission of the quantities covered by import licences issued by the competent authorities of the Member States and not used by importers. The quantities covered by import licences issued should take account of import licence applications withdrawn by importers.

(20)

For the purposes of administering the tariff quotas for garlic, importers lodging applications for import licences should attach a declaration to their applications to the competent authorities of the Member State to the effect that they undertake to comply with the restrictions laid down in this Regulation. To prevent any abuse of the system, deterrent penalties should be provided for and the Member States should be allowed some margin of discretion to impose additional penalties on top of those provided for in this Regulation on importers who present false, misleading or inaccurate applications or declarations to the competent authorities.

(21)

To improve controls and prevent any risk of deflection of trade based on inaccurate documentation, the existing system of certificates of origin for garlic imported from certain third countries and the requirement for such garlic to be transported direct from the third country of origin to the Community should be maintained and the list of countries extended in the light of additional information. Such certificates of origin are to be issued by the competent national authorities in accordance with Articles 56 to 62 of Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93.

(22)

All the necessary communications between Member States and the Commission pursuant to this Regulation should be specified, in particular for the purpose of administering tariff quotas, taking measures against fraud and monitoring the market.

(23)

Regulation (EC) No 565/2002, Commission Regulation (EC) No 228/2004 of 3 February 2004 laying down transitional measures applicable to Regulation (EC) No 565/2002 by reason of the accession of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia (6) and Commission Regulation (EC) No 229/2004 of 10 February 2004 derogating from Regulation (EC) No 565/2002 as regards the dates for lodging the import licence applications for imports of garlic for the first quarter of the period 2004 to 2005 (7) .should be repealed. This Regulation should apply for the first time to applications for import licences for the first quarter of the 2006/07 import period. However, given that import activities governed by the provisions of this Regulation concerning ‘B’ licences are not, at present, subject to any specific licensing rules and in order to ensure more effective controls, the provisions concerning ‘B’ licences should apply as soon as possible.

(24)

For imports of garlic effected after the entry into force of this Regulation under import licences issued in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 565/2002 and any regulations opening and providing for the administration of autonomous tariff quotas for garlic, the provisions in force when those import licences were issued should continue to apply.

(25)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables,

1.

‘import period’ means the period 1 June to the following 31 May;

2.

‘the new Member States’ means the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia;

3.

‘other countries’ means third countries other than Argentina and China;

4.

‘competent authorities’ means the body or bodies designated by the Member State for the implementation of this Regulation;

5.

‘reference quantity’ means the quantity of garlic, imported by a traditional importer within the meaning of Article 3, as follows:

(a)

a certificate of origin issued by the competent national authorities of that country in accordance with Articles 56 to 62 of Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 is presented;

(b)

the product has been transported direct to the Community from that country in accordance with Article 14.

(1)

Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No 2247/2003 provides for the possibility of issuing import licences for beef and veal products originating in Botswana, Kenya, Madagascar, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Namibia. However, imports must take place within the limits of the quantities specified for each of these exporting non-member countries.

(2)

The applications for import licences submitted between 1 to 10 November 2005, expressed in terms of boned meat, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 2247/2003, do not exceed, in respect of products originating from Botswana, Kenya, Madagascar, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Namibia, the quantities available from those States. It is therefore possible to issue import licences in respect of the quantities applied for.

(3)

The quantities in respect of which licences may be applied for from 1 December 2005 should be fixed within the scope of the total quantity of 52 100 t.

(4)

This Regulation is without prejudice to Council Directive 72/462/EEC of 12 December 1972 on health and veterinary inspection problems upon importation of bovine, ovine and caprine animals and swine, fresh meat or meat products from third countries (4),

United Kingdom:

Germany:

(1)

Articles 173 to 177 of Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 provide that the Commission shall periodically establish unit values for the products referred to in the classification in Annex 26 to that Regulation.

(2)

The result of applying the rules and criteria laid down in the abovementioned Articles to the elements communicated to the Commission in accordance with Article 173(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 is that unit values set out in the Annex to this Regulation should be established in regard to the products in question,

(1)

Article 8 of Regulation (EEC) No 2771/75 provides that the difference between prices on the world market for the products listed in Article 1(1) of that regulation and prices for those products on the Community market may be covered by an export refund.

(2)

It follows from applying these rules and criteria to the present situation on the market in eggs that the refund should be fixed at an amount which would permit Community participation in world trade and would also take account of the nature of these exports and their importance at the present time.

(3)

The present market situation in certain third countries and that regarding competition makes it necessary to fix a refund differentiated by destination for certain products in the egg sector.

(4)

Article 21 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 800/1999 of 15 April 1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of the system of export refunds on agricultural products (2), stipulates that no refund is granted if the products are not of sound and fair marketable quality on the date on which the export declaration is accepted. In order to ensure uniform application of the rules in force, it should be stated that, in order to qualify for the refund, the egg products listed in Article 1 of Regulation (EEC) No 2771/75 must bear the health mark laid down in Council Directive 89/437/EEC of 20 June 1989 on hygiene and health problems affecting the production and the placing on the market of egg products (3).

(5)

The negotiations within the framework of the Europe Agreements between the European Community and Romania and Bulgaria aim in particular to liberalise trade in products covered by the common organisation of the market concerned. For these two countries export refunds should therefore be abolished. That abolition should not, however, lead to a differentiated refund for exports to other countries.

(6)

The Management Committee for Poultrymeat and Eggs has not delivered an opinion within the time limit set by its chairman,

(1)

Article 8 of Regulation (EEC) No 2777/75 provides that the difference between prices on the world market for the products listed in Article 1(1) of that Regulation and prices for those products on the Community market may be covered by an export refund.

(2)

It follows from applying these rules and criteria to the present situation on the market in poultrymeat that the refund should be fixed at an amount which would permit Community participation in world trade and would also take account of the nature of these exports and their importance at the present time.

(3)

Article 21 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 800/1999 of 15 April 1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of the system of export refunds on agricultural products (2) stipulates that no refund is granted if the products are not of sound and fair marketable quality on the date on which the export declaration is accepted. In order to ensure uniform application of the rules in force, it should be stated that, in order to qualify for the refund, the poultrymeat listed in Article 1 of Regulation (EEC) No 2777/75 must bear the health mark as laid down in Council Directive 71/118/EEC of 15 February 1971 on health problems affecting trade in fresh poultrymeat (3).

(4)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Poultrymeat and Eggs,

(1)

The representative prices and additional duties applicable to imports of white sugar, raw sugar and certain syrups for the 2005/2006 marketing year are fixed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1011/2005 (3). These prices and duties were last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1806/2005 (4).

(2)

The data currently available to the Commission indicate that the said amounts should be changed in accordance with the rules and procedures laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1423/95,

(1)

The export refunds on white sugar and raw sugar exported in the natural state were fixed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1828/2005 (2).

(2)

Since the data currently available to the Commission are different to the data at the time Regulation (EC) No 1828/2005 was adopted, those refunds should be adjusted,

(1)

The refunds on syrups and certain other sugar products were fixed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1761/2005 (2).

(2)

Since the information at present available to the Commission is different to that available to it at the time Regulation (EC) No 1761/2005 was adopted, these refunds should be amended,

(1)

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1484/95 (4), fixes detailed rules for implementing the system of additional import duties and fixes representative prices in the poultrymeat and egg sectors and for egg albumin.

(2)

It results from regular monitoring of the information providing the basis for the verification of the import prices in the poultrymeat and egg sectors and for egg albumin that the representative prices for imports of certain products should be amended taking into account variations of prices according to origin. Therefore, representative prices should be published.

(3)

It is necessary to apply this amendment as soon as possible, given the situation on the market.

(4)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Poultrymeat and Eggs,

(1)

The rates of the refunds applicable from 28 October 2005 to the products listed in the Annex, exported in the form of goods not covered by Annex I to the Treaty, were fixed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1764/2005 (2).

(2)

It follows from applying the rules and criteria contained in Regulation (EC) No 1764/2005 to the information at present available to the Commission that the export refunds at present applicable should be altered as shown in the Annex hereto,

(1)

In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of the Protocol on the position of Denmark annexed to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community, Denmark is not bound by the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No 1348/2000 of 29 May 2000 on the service in the Member States of judicial and extrajudicial documents in civil or commercial matters (1), nor subject to their application.

(2)

By Decision of 8 May 2003, the Council authorised exceptionally the Commission to negotiate an agreement between the European Community and the Kingdom of Denmark extending to Denmark the provisions of the abovementioned Regulation.

(3)

The Commission has negotiated such agreement, on behalf of the Community, with the Kingdom of Denmark.

(4)

The United Kingdom and Ireland, in accordance with Article 3 of the Protocol on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland annexed to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community, are taking part in the adoption and application of this Decision.

(5)

In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of the abovementioned Protocol on the position of Denmark, Denmark is not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application.

(6)

The Agreement, initialled at Brussels on 17 January 2005, should be signed,