(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)

Export refunds on products listed in Article 1(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 318/2006 were fixed from 1 September 2006 by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1298/2006 (2).

(2)

In the light of additional information available to the Commission, related in particular to the change in the relation between prices in the internal and world market, it is necessary to adjust export refunds currently applying.

(3)

Regulation (EC) No 1298/2006 should therefore be amended accordingly,

(1)

An invitation to tender for the maximum reduction in the duty on sorghum imported into Spain from third countries was opened pursuant to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1059/2006 (2).

(2)

Pursuant to Article 7 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1839/95 (3), the Commission, acting under the procedure laid down in Article 25 of Regulation (EC) No 1784/2003, may decide to fix a maximum reduction in the import duty. In fixing this maximum the criteria provided for in Articles 6 and 7 of Regulation (EC) No 1839/95 must be taken into account. Whereas a contract is awarded to any tenderer whose tender is equal to or less than the maximum reduction in the duty.

(3)

The application of the abovementioned criteria to the current market situation for the cereal in question results in the maximum reduction in the import duty being fixed at the amount specified in Article 1.

(4)

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

(1)

An invitation to tender for the refund for the export of common wheat to certain third countries was opened pursuant to Commission Regulation (EC) No 936/2006 (2).

(2)

Article 7 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1501/95 of 29 June 1995 laying down certain detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92 on the granting of export refunds on cereals and the measures to be taken in the event of disturbance on the market for cereals (3), and in particular Article 13(3) thereof,

(3)

On the basis of the criteria laid down in Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No 1501/95, a maximum refund should not be fixed.

(4)

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

(1)

With a view to helping to eradicate Newcastle disease as rapidly as possible, the Community may contribute financially to eligible expenditure borne by the Member State, as provided for in Article 4(2) of Decision 90/424/EEC.

(2)

Payment of Community financial support towards emergency measures to combat Newcastle disease is subject to the rules laid down in Commission Regulation (EC) No 349/2005 of 28 February 2005 laying down rules on the Community financing of emergency measures and of the campaign to combat certain animal diseases under Council Decision 90/424/EEC (2).

(3)

Outbreaks of Newcastle disease occurred in the United Kingdom in 2005. The emergence of this disease represents a serious risk to the Community's livestock population.

(4)

On 15 December 2005, the United Kingdom submitted a final rough estimate of the costs incurred in taking measures to eradicate the disease.

(5)

The British authorities have fully complied with their technical and administrative obligations as set out in Article 3 of Decision 90/424/EEC and Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 349/2005.

(6)

The payment of the Community financial contribution must be subject to the condition that the planned activities were actually implemented and that the authorities provide all the necessary information within the set deadlines.

(7)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,

(1)

With a view to helping to eradicate Newcastle disease as rapidly as possible, the Community may contribute financially to eligible expenditure borne by the Member State, as provided for in Article 4(2) of Decision 90/424/EEC.

(2)

Payment of Community financial support towards emergency measures to combat Newcastle disease is subject to the rules laid down in Commission Regulation (EC) No 349/2005 of 28 February 2005 laying down rules on the Community financing of emergency measures and of the campaign to combat certain animal diseases under Council Decision 90/424/EEC (2).

(3)

Outbreaks of Newcastle disease occurred in France in 2005. The emergence of this disease represents a serious risk to the Community's livestock population.

(4)

On 5 September 2005, France submitted a final rough estimate of the costs incurred in taking measures to eradicate the disease.

(5)

The French authorities have fully complied with their technical and administrative obligations as set out in Article 3 of Decision 90/424/EEC and Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 349/2005.

(6)

The payment of the Community financial contribution must be subject to the condition that the planned activities were actually implemented and that the authorities provide all the necessary information within the set deadlines.

(7)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,

(1)

Outbreaks of bluetongue (ovine catarrhal fever) occurred in Italy in 2001 and 2002. The emergence of this disease presented a serious risk for the Community's livestock population.

(2)

In order to prevent the spread of the disease and to help eradicate it as quickly as possible, the Community should contribute financially towards the eligible expenditure incurred by the Member State under the emergency measures taken to combat the disease, as provided for in Decision 90/424/EEC.

(3)

Commission Decision 2003/677/EC of 24 September 2003 on a financial contribution from the Community towards the eradication of bluetongue disease in Italy in 2001 and 2002 (2) granted a financial contribution from the Community to Italy towards the expenditure incurred under the emergency measures to combat bluetongue disease implemented in 2001 and 2002.

(4)

In accordance with that Decision, a first instalment of EUR 4 000 000 was granted.

(5)

Pursuant to that Decision, the balance of the Community contribution is to be based on the application submitted by Italy on 19 December 2003, supporting documents and the results of the on the spot inspections carried out by the Commission. The amount set out in the application submitted by Italy was EUR 24 515 016 for which the Community financial contribution may not be higher than 50 % of the total eligible expenditure.

(6)

In view of those considerations, the total amount of the Community’s financial contribution to the eligible expenditure incurred associated with the eradication of bluetongue disease in Italy in 2001 and 2002 should now be fixed.

(7)

The results of the inspections carried out by the Commission in compliance with the Community veterinary rules and the conditions for granting Community financial support mean the entire amount of the expenditure submitted cannot be recognised as eligible for a Community financial contribution.

(8)

The Commission’s observations, final conclusions and method of calculating the eligible expenditure were communicated to Italy on 17 March 2006.

(9)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,

(1)

Council Directive 90/539/EEC of 15 October 1990 on animal health conditions governing intra-Community trade in, and imports from third countries of, poultry and hatching eggs (3) lays down animal health conditions governing intra-Community trade and imports from third countries of poultry, including rules for intra-Community trade and imports of poultry intended for restocking wild game supplies.

(2)

Commission Decision 2005/734/EC of 19 October 2005 laying down biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza caused by influenza virus A subtype H5N1 from birds living in the wild to poultry and other captive birds and providing for an early detection system in areas at particular risk (4) provides that Member States are to define on their territory areas at a particular risk for the introduction and occurrence of highly pathogenic avian influenza caused by influenza A virus of subtype H5N1 based on certain risk factors.

(3)

Poultry intended for restocking wild game supplies comprise different species of farmed feathered game including waterfowl. Such poultry are bred in captivity and then released into the wild in order to be hunted and serve as a source of wild feathered game meat.

(4)

Farming concerning poultry intended for restocking wild game supplies often involves contact with wild birds and might therefore pose an increased risk for the spread of avian influenza in particular when dispatched to other Member States or third countries.

(5)

Experiences with outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza of subtype H5N1 and other avian influenza strains of H5 and H7 subtypes have shown that that category of poultry is particularly at risk and that additional measures should be taken to reduce such risks.

(6)

Accordingly it is appropriate that Member States draw up guidelines for good biosecurity practices for that type of poultry production, detailing and complementing the measures provided for in Decision 2005/734/EC in particular as regards holdings from which poultry are dispatched to other Member States or third countries.

(7)

Directive 2005/94/EC sets out certain preventive measures relating to the surveillance and early detection of avian influenza. That Directive requires the implementation of surveillance programmes for avian influenza in poultry holdings. The guidelines for good biosecurity practices, additional biosecurity measures and testing prior to the dispatch of poultry provided for in this Decision should give further guarantees for trade and exports in live poultry and reduce the risk of spreading the disease.

(8)

Laboratory investigations should be carried out in accordance with the procedures laid down in Commission Decision 2006/437/EC of 31 August 2006 approving a Diagnostic Manual for avian influenza as provided for in Council Directive 2005/94/EC.

(9)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,

(a)

biosecurity measures to be applied on holdings keeping poultry intended for restocking supplies of wild game; and

(b)

surveillance measures to be applied when productive poultry intended for restocking supplies of wild game, are dispatched to other Member States or third countries.

(a)

‘poultry’ means fowl, turkeys, guinea fowl, ducks, geese, quails, pigeons, pheasants and partridges and ratites (Ratitae) reared or kept in captivity for breeding, the production of meat or eggs for consumption, or for re-stocking supplies of game;

(b)

‘productive poultry’ means poultry 72 hours old or more, reared for the production of meat and/or eggs for consumption or for restocking supplies of game;

(c)

‘wild game’ means wild birds that are hunted for human consumption.

(1)

With a view to helping to eradicate classical swine fever as rapidly as possible, the Community may contribute financially to eligible expenditure borne by the Member State, as provided for in Article 4(2) of Decision 90/424/EEC.

(2)

Payment of Community financial support towards emergency measures to combat classical swine fever is subject to the rules laid down in Commission Regulation (EC) No 349/2005 (2) of 28 February 2005 laying down rules on the Community financing of emergency measures and of the campaign to combat certain animal diseases under Council Decision 90/424/EEC.

(3)

An outbreak of classical swine fever occurred in Slovakia in 2005. The emergence of this disease represents a serious risk to the Community's livestock population.

(4)

On 31 October 2005, the Slovak Republic presented a request for reimbursement of the totality of the expenditure incurred on its territory.

(5)

The Slovak authorities have fully complied with their technical and administrative obligations as set out in Article 3 of Decision 90/424/EEC and Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 349/2005.

(6)

The payment of the Community financial contribution must be subject to the condition that the planned activities were actually implemented and that the authorities provide all the necessary information within the set deadlines.

(7)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health.

(1)

On 7 June 2006, the Council adopted Joint Action 2006/407/CFSP amending and extending Joint Action 2005/643/CFSP on the European Union Monitoring Mission in Aceh (Indonesia) (Aceh Monitoring Mission — AMM) (1) for a further period of three months until 15 September 2006.

(2)

On 21 July 2006 the Government of Indonesia invited the EU to extend the mandate of the AMM for a final period of three months until 15 December 2006. The Free Aceh Movement (GAM) also indicated its support for such an extension of the mission.

(3)

On 28 July 2006, the Political and Security Committee reiterated its support for the peace process in Aceh and expressed support for the recommendation of the Secretary-General/High Representative to extend the mandate of the AMM for a final period of three months.

(4)

Joint Action 2005/643/CFSP should be amended accordingly,