(1)

Regulation (EC) No 1580/2007 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)

The WTO schedule CXL requires the Community to open an annual import tariff quota of 53 000 tonnes of frozen beef covered by CN code 0202 and products covered by CN code 0206 29 91 (order number 09.4003). Implementing rules should be laid down for the opening and administration of that quota every year for the period from 1 July to 30 June of the following year.

(2)

Pursuant to Article 29(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1254/1999, imports into the Community should be managed using import licences. However, it is appropriate to manage this quota by attributing import rights as a first step and issuing import licences as a second, as provided for in Article 6(3) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1301/2006 of 31 August 2006 laying down common rules for the administration of import tariff quotas for agricultural products managed by a system of import licences (2). In this way, operators that have obtained import rights should be able to decide, during the course of the quota period, the moment when they wish to apply for import licences, in view of their actual trade flows. That Regulation limits the period of validity of licences to the last day of the import tariff quota period.

(3)

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 (3) and Commission Regulation (EC) No 382/2008 of 21 April 2008 on rules of application for import and export licences in the beef and veal sector (4) and should be applicable to import licences issued under this Regulation, save where derogations are appropriate.

(4)

The 2007/08 quota was managed in conformity with the provisions of Commission Regulation (EC) No 529/2007 of 11 May 2007 opening and providing for the administration of a tariff quota for frozen meat of bovine animals covered by CN code 0202 and products covered by CN code 0206 29 91 (1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008) (5). That Regulation provided for a method of administration based on an import performance criterion ensuring that the quota is allocated to professional operators able to import beef without undue speculation.

(5)

The experience obtained from the application of that method shows that there are positive results and therefore it is appropriate to maintain the same method of administration for quota periods starting from 1 July 2008. It is therefore appropriate to determine a reference period for eligible imports which is long enough to provide for a representative performance while also sufficiently recent to reflect the latest development in trade.

(6)

Regulation (EC) No 1301/2006 lays down in particular detailed provisions on applications for import rights, the status of applicants and the issue of import licences. The provisions of Regulation (EC) No 1301/2006 should apply to import licences issued pursuant to this Regulation, without prejudice to additional conditions laid down in this Regulation.

(7)

In order to prevent speculation, a security relating to import rights should be fixed for each applicant under the quota.

(8)

To oblige operators to apply for import licences for all the import rights allocated, it should be established that such obligation constitutes a primary requirement within the meaning of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2220/85 of 22 July 1985 laying down common detailed rules for the application of the system of securities for agricultural products (6).

(9)

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

(a)

100 kilograms of bone-in meat shall be equivalent to 77 kilograms of boneless meat;

(b)

‘frozen meat’ means meat that is frozen and has an internal temperature of – 12 °C or lower when it enters the customs territory of the Community.

(1)

The revenue from investments of the net worth of the assets of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in liquidation and, on completion of the liquidation, the assets of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel, are being assigned to the Research Fund for Coal and Steel, which is intended exclusively to fund research projects outside the Community framework programme for research, technological development and demonstration activities in the sectors related to the coal and steel industry.

(2)

The Research Fund for Coal and Steel is to be managed by the Commission in accordance with principles similar to those governing the former ECSC coal and steel technical research programmes and on the basis of multiannual technical guidelines which should constitute an extension of those ECSC programmes, providing a high concentration of research activities and ensuring that they supplement those of the Community framework programme for research, technological development and demonstration activities.

(3)

The Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013) set out in Decision No 1982/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 (3) (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Seventh Framework Programme’) provides an incentive to review Council Decision 2003/78/EC of 1 February 2003 laying down the multiannual technical guidelines for the research programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (4) in order to ensure that the Research Fund for Coal and Steel complements the Seventh Framework Programme in the sectors related to the coal and steel industry.

(4)

Research and technical development constitute a very important means of supporting Community energy objectives with regard to the supply of Community coal and its competitive and environmentally friendly conversion and utilisation. Moreover, the growing international dimension of the coal market and the global scale of the problems confronting it means that the Community has to take a leading role in meeting challenges relating to modern techniques, mine safety and environmental protection at worldwide level by ensuring the transfer of know-how required for further technological progress, improved working conditions (health and safety) and enhanced environmental protection.

(5)

With the general aim of increasing competitiveness and contributing to sustainable development, the main emphasis of research and technological development is on the development of new or improved technologies to guarantee the economic, clean and safe production of steel and steel products characterised by steadily increasing performance, suitability to use, customer satisfaction, prolonged service life, easy recovery and recycling.

(6)

The order in which the research objectives for coal and steel are presented in this Decision should not represent a priority as between those objectives.

(7)

In the framework of the management activities of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel, the Commission should be assisted by advisory groups and technical groups representing a wide range of interests of industries and other stakeholders.

(8)

The recent enlargement incorporating new Member States requires modification of the multiannual technical guidelines laid down in Decision 2003/78/EC, notably as regards the composition of the advisory groups and the definition of coal.

(9)

In accordance with Statement No 4 of the Decision of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council 2002/234/ECSC of 27 February 2002 (5), the Commission has re-examined the definition of steel and come to the conclusion that it is not necessary to change that definition. Indeed, steel castings, forgings and powder metallurgy products are topics already covered by the Seventh Framework Programme.

(10)

The general approach for revising the Decision 2003/78/EC should be to keep intact the procedures that were considered by the assisting groups as effective, together with a limited but necessary number of modifications and administrative simplifications in order to ensure complementarity with the Seventh Framework Programme.

(11)

Those modifications include the deletion of some accompanying measures as already foreseen in the Seventh Framework Programme. It is also necessary to align the periodicity of the revision and the experts’ nominations concerning the Research Programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel on those used in the Seventh Framework Programme.

(12)

The rules on the composition of the advisory groups should be revised, notably as regards the representation of interested Member States and gender balance according to Commission Decision 2000/407/EC of 19 June 2000 relating to gender balance within the committees and expert groups established by it (6).

(13)

The Commission should be given the opportunity to launch dedicated calls in the framework of the research objectives defined in this Decision.

(14)

The maximum total financial contribution from the Research Fund for Coal and Steel for pilot and demonstration projects should be increased to 50 % of the eligible costs.

(15)

The eligible costs approach should be kept together with a better definition of the cost categories and a revised percentage for the calculation of the overheads.

(16)

The Commission has reassessed the multiannual technical guidelines laid down in Decision 2003/78/EC and found that in view of the changes required it is appropriate to replace that Decision.

(17)

In order to ensure the necessary continuity with Decision 2003/78/EC, this Decision should apply from 16 September 2007. Applicants submitting proposals between 16 September 2007 and the date this Decision takes effect should be invited to resubmit their proposals in accordance with this Decision, which should enable them to benefit from the more favourable conditions provided by this Decision, notably as regards the financial contribution to pilot and demonstration projects.

(18)

The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (7),

(1)

Outbreaks of classical swine fever have occurred in Slovakia.

(2)

In view of the trade in live pigs and certain pig products, those outbreaks are liable to endanger the herds of other Members States.

(3)

Slovakia has taken measures within the framework of Council Directive 2001/89/EC of 23 October 2001 on Community measures for the control of classical swine fever (2).

(4)

Commission Decision 2008/303/EC of 14 April 2008 concerning interim protection measures relating to Classical Swine Fever in Slovakia (3) was adopted in order to reinforce the measures taken by Slovakia pursuant to Directive 2001/89/EC.

(5)

Commission Decision 2006/805/EC of 24 November 2006 concerning animal health control measures relating to classical swine fever in certain Member States (4) was adopted in response to outbreaks of classical swine fever in feral pigs in those Member States concerned. Those measures should continue to apply in Slovakia.

(6)

The animal health conditions and the certification requirements for trade in live pigs are laid down in Council Directive 64/432/EEC of 26 June 1964 on animal health problems affecting intra-Community trade in bovine animals and swine (5).

(7)

The animal health conditions and certification requirements for trade in porcine semen are laid down in Council Directive 90/429/EEC of 26 June 1990 laying down the animal health requirements applicable to intra-Community trade in and imports of semen of domestic animals of the porcine species (6).

(8)

The animal health conditions and certification requirements for trade in porcine ova and embryos are laid down in Commission Decision 95/483/EC of 9 November 1995 determining the specimen certificate for intra-Community trade in ova and embryos of swine (7).

(9)

Commission Decision 2002/106/EC of 1 February 2002 approving a Diagnostic Manual establishing diagnostic procedures, sampling methods and criteria for evaluation of the laboratory tests for the confirmation of classical swine fever (8) provides for risk adapted surveillance protocols.

(10)

Based on the information provided by Slovakia it appears that classical swine fever might have spread already to herds in several areas of that Member State before the outbreaks were discovered. Appropriate investigations to trace, confirm or infirm new infections require sufficient time viewing the nature of the disease. It is therefore appropriate to review the protective measures relating to classical swine fever in Slovakia. In the context of these precautionary measures, it is in particular also appropriate to specify in which cases and under which conditions the transport of pigs may be authorised to Member States and within the territory of Slovakia to prevent the spread of the disease.

(11)

Decision 2008/303/EC should therefore be repealed.

(12)

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)

Directive 2001/89/EC, and in particular Articles 9, 10 and 11 thereof;

(b)

Decision 2006/805/EC.

(a)

come from a holding situated in an area ouside the areas listed in the Annex; and

(b)

have been resident on the holding of origin for at least 45 days prior to loading, or since birth if less than 45 days of age; and

(c)

come from a holding where no live pigs have been introduced during the 45 day-period immediately prior to the dispatch of the pigs in question.

(a)

the health certificate provided for in Directive 64/432/EEC accompanying pigs dispatched from Slovakia must be completed by the following:

‘Animals in accordance with Commission Decision C(2008) 1765 of 8 May 2008 concerning certain protection measures relating to classical swine fever in Slovakia’

(b)

the health certificate provided for in Directive 90/429/EEC accompanying boar semen dispatched from Slovakia must be completed by the following:

‘Semen in accordance with Commission Decision C(2008) 1765 of 8 May 2008 concerning certain protection measures relating to classical swine fever in Slovakia’

(c)

the health certificate provided for in Decision 95/483/EC accompanying ova and embryos of swine dispatched from Slovakia must be completed by the following:

‘Ova/Embryos (delete as appropriate) in accordance with Commission Decision C(2008) 1765 of 8 May 2008 concerning certain protection measures relating to classical swine fever in Slovakia’

(a)

vehicles which have been used for the transport of pigs within the areas listed in the Annex or have been used for the transport of those pigs to a slaughterhouse or had entered a holding situated in the areas listed in the Annex where pigs are kept are cleaned and disinfected after each operation;

(b)

the transporter furnish proof to the competent veterinary authority of such disinfection.

(1)

In accordance with Commission Decision 2006/133/EC of 13 February 2006 requiring Member States temporarily to take additional measures against the dissemination of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner et Buhrer) Nickle et al. (the pinewood nematode — PWN) as regards areas in Portugal, other than those in which it is known not to occur (2), Portugal has taken measures against the dissemination of the pinewood nematode.

(2)

Portugal has sent a report to the Commission on 11 April 2008 on the finding of new outbreaks of PWN, as a result from an extraordinary investigation by the Portuguese authorities in addition to the annual survey, in the part of Portugal where so far PWN was known not to occur.

(3)

The compulsory annual surveys of previous years had not revealed these latest outbreaks of PWN in Portugal. In view of this new outbreak, it is necessary that Portugal carries out immediately an additional risk-based survey in the entire Portuguese territory on the basis of a survey plan approved by the Commission and that it presents the results of that survey to the Commission as soon as they are available.

(4)

Based on the experience with the implementation of the existing emergency measures and recent scientific information, it is necessary to take particularly effective measures with respect to outbreaks in areas where so far PWN was known not to occur.

(5)

Decision 2006/133/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.

(6)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plant Health,

1.

Article 4 is replaced by the following:

2.

In Article 5, the third paragraph is replaced by the following:

‘That list shall be updated according to the results of the surveys referred to in Article 4 and to the findings notified under Article 16(1) of Directive 2000/29/EC.’

3.

The Annex to Decision 2006/133/EC is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Decision.

(1)

On 25 November 2005, the Council adopted Joint Action 2005/889/CFSP on establishing a European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EUBAM Rafah) (1).

(2)

The mandate of that Mission was extended until 24 May 2008 by Council Joint Action 2007/359/CFSP (2).

(3)

Joint Action 2005/889/CFSP should be further extended until 24 November 2008.

(4)

The financial reference amount provided to cover the expenditure related to the Mission for the period from 25 May 2007 until 24 May 2008 should also cover the expenditure to be incurred during the remaining period of the Mission,

1.

the second subparagraph of Article 13(1) shall be replaced by the following:

‘The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to the mission for the period from 25 May 2007 to 24 November 2008 shall be EUR 7 000 000.’;

2.

the second subparagraph of Article 16 shall be replaced by the following:

‘It shall expire on 24 November 2008.’.