(1)

Commission Regulation (EC) No 633/2004 of 30 March 2004 laying down detailed rules for implementing the system of export licences in the poultrymeat sector (2) has been substantially amended several times (3). In the interests of clarity and rationality the said Regulation should be codified.

(2)

Specific implementing rules should be laid down for export licences in the poultrymeat sector which should, in particular, include provisions for the submission of applications and the information which must appear on the applications and licences, in addition to those contained in Commission Regulation (EC) No 376/2008 of 23 April 2008 laying down common detailed rules for the application of the system of import and export licences and advance fixing certificates for agricultural products (4).

(3)

In order to assure proper administration of the system of export licences, the rate of the security for export licences under that system should be fixed. In view of the risk of speculation inherent in the system in the poultrymeat sector, export licences should not be transferable and precise conditions governing access by traders to the said system should be laid down.

(4)

Article 169 of Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 provides that compliance with the obligations arising from agreements concluded during the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations regarding the export volume shall be ensured on the basis of the export licences. Therefore, a detailed schedule for the lodging of applications and for the issuing of licences should be laid down.

(5)

In addition, the decision regarding applications for export licences should be notified only after a period of consideration. This period would allow the Commission to appreciate the quantities applied for as well as the expenditure involved and, if appropriate, to take specific measures applicable in particular to the applications which are pending. It is in the interest of traders to allow the licence application to be withdrawn after the acceptance coefficient has been fixed.

(6)

The Commission should have precise information concerning applications for licences and the use of licences issued, in order to be able to manage the licence system. In the interests of efficient administration, Member States should use the information systems in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 792/2009 of 31 August 2009 laying down detailed rules for the Member States’ notification to the Commission of information and documents in implementation of the common organisation of the markets, the direct payments’ regime, the promotion of agricultural products and the regimes applicable to the outermost regions and the smaller Aegean islands (5).

(7)

In the case of applications concerning quantities equal to or less than 25 tonnes, the export licence should be issued immediately if the trader requests it. However, such licences should be restricted to short-term commercial transactions in order to prevent the mechanism provided for in this Regulation from being circumvented.

(8)

In order to ensure an exact follow up of the quantities to be exported, a derogation from the rules regarding the tolerances laid down in Regulation (EC) No 376/2008 should be laid down.

(9)

Article 167(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 provides that for day-old chicks export refunds may be granted on the basis of an ex post export licence. Therefore implementing rules for such a system should be laid down with the aim of ensuring efficient verification that the obligations arising from the agreements concluded in the framework of the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations are complied with. However, it would appear unnecessary to require the lodging of a security in the case of licences applied for after exportation.

(10)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets,

(1)

Pursuant to the first subparagraph of Article 6(2) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006, Germany's application to register the name ‘Hofer Rindfleischwurst’ was published in the Official Journal of the European Union (2).

(2)

As no statement of objection under Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 has been received by the Commission, that name should therefore be entered in the register,

(1)

Pursuant to the first subparagraph of Article 9(1) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 and in accordance with Article 17(2) thereof, the Commission has examined Italy’s application for the approval of amendments to the specification for the protected designation of origin ‘Salame Piacentino’ registered under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1107/96 (2), as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1263/96 (3).

(2)

Since the amendments in question are not minor within the meaning of Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006, the Commission published the amendment application in the Official Journal of the European Union (4), as required by the first subparagraph of Article 6(2) of that Regulation. As no statement of objection within the meaning of Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 has been notified to the Commission, the amendments should be approved,

(1)

Pursuant to the first subparagraph of Article 9(1) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 and in accordance with Article 17(2) thereof, the Commission has examined Italy's application for the approval of amendments to the specification for the protected designation of origin ‘Fontina’ registered under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1107/96 (2).

(2)

Since the amendments in question are not minor within the meaning of Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006, the Commission published the amendment application in the Official Journal of the European Union, as required by the first subparagraph of Article 6(2) of that Regulation (3). As no statement of objection within the meaning of Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 has been notified to the Commission, the amendments should be approved,

(1)

Pursuant to the first subparagraph of Article 6(2) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006, Italy’s application to register the name ‘Carciofo Spinoso di Sardegna’ was published in the Official Journal of the European Union (2).

(2)

As no statement of objection under Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 has been received by the Commission, that name should therefore be entered in the register,

(1)

Pursuant to the first subparagraph of Article 6(2) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006, Italy's application to register the name ‘Arancia di Ribera’ was published in the Official Journal of the European Union (2).

(2)

As no statement of objection under Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 has been received by the Commission, this name should be entered in the register,

(1)

Pursuant to the first subparagraph of Article 6(2) and in accordance with Article 17(2) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006, Italy’s application to register the name ‘Limone di Siracusa’ was published in the Official Journal of the European Union (2).

(2)

As no statement of objection under Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 has been received by the Commission, that name should therefore be entered in the register,

(1)

In accordance with the first subparagraph of Article 9(1) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006, the Commission has examined the United Kingdom’s application for the approval of amendments to the specification for the protected geographical indication ‘Welsh Beef’ registered in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 2400/96 (2), as amended by Regulation (EC) No 2066/2002 (3).

(2)

Since the amendments in question are not minor within the meaning of Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006, the Commission published the amendment application in the Official Journal of the European Union (4), as required by the first subparagraph of Article 6(2) of that Regulation. As no statement of objection within the meaning of Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 has been notified to the Commission, the amendments should be approved,

(1)

Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 881/2002 lists the persons, groups and entities covered by the freezing of funds and economic resources under that Regulation.

(2)

On 17 January 2011 the Sanctions Committee of the United Nations Security Council decided to amend the identifying data concerning one natural person on its list of persons, groups and entities to whom the freezing of funds and economic resources should apply. On 22 January 2011 the Sanctions Committee of the United Nations Security Council decided to remove two natural persons from that list.

(3)

Annex I should therefore be amended accordingly,

(1)

Commission Regulation (EU) No 447/2010 (2) has opened the sales of skimmed milk powder by a tendering procedure, in accordance with the conditions provided for in Commission Regulation (EU) No 1272/2009 of 11 December 2009 laying down common detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 as regards buying-in and selling of agricultural products under public intervention (3).

(2)

In the light of the tenders received in response to individual invitations to tender, the Commission should fix a minimum selling price or should decide not to fix a minimum selling price, in accordance with Article 46(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1272/2009.

(3)

In the light of the tenders received for the 15th individual invitation to tender, a minimum selling price should be fixed.

(4)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets,

(1)

Ireland has recently come under increasing pressure in financial markets, reflecting rising concerns about the sustainability of the Irish public finances in view of comprehensive public support measures to the weakened financial sector. Due to its excessive exposure to real estate and construction projects, the domestic banking system has experienced large losses in the aftermath of the collapse of those sectors. The current crisis in the economic and banking sectors has also had a dramatic impact on Ireland’s public finances, compounding the impact of the recession. Falling tax revenue and an increase in cyclical expenditure, in particular due to rising unemployment, have contributed to a high general government deficit and a steep increase in debt, compared to the favourable pre-crisis positions and despite the implementation of five important fiscal consolidation packages since mid-2008. Support measures for the banking sector, including significant capital injections, have added greatly to the deterioration in the public finance position. Current market concerns primarily reflect the fact that the solvency of the Irish sovereign and the banking system have become inextricably linked in the crisis; they have led to a steep increase in Irish sovereign bond yields, while the domestic banking system is effectively cut off from international market funding.

(2)

In view of this severe economic and financial disturbance caused by exceptional occurrences beyond the control of the government, the Irish authorities officially requested financial assistance from the European Union, the Member States whose currency is the euro and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on 21 November 2010 with a view to supporting the return of the economy to sustainable growth, ensuring a properly-functioning banking system and safeguarding financial stability in the Union and in the euro zone. On 28 November 2010, an agreement at technical level was reached in respect of a comprehensive policy package for the period 2010-2013.

(3)

The draft economic and financial adjustment programme (the ‘Programme’) submitted to the Council and the Commission aims at restoring financial market confidence in the Irish banking sector and the sovereign, enabling the economy to return to sustainable growth. To achieve these goals, the Programme contains three main elements. First, a financial sector strategy which comprises fundamental downsizing, deleveraging and reorganisation of the banking sector, complemented by appropriate recapitalisation to the extent needed. Second, an ambitious fiscal consolidation strategy, building on the National Recovery Plan 2011-2014 published by the Irish authorities on 24 November 2010. The plan sets out detailed fiscal consolidation measures aiming at putting gross public debt on a firm downward path in the medium term. The authorities are committed to reducing the deficit to below 3 % of GDP by 2015, the revised deadline set by the Council on 7 December 2010. Third, also building on the National Recovery Plan, the Programme sets out an ambitious structural reform agenda, notably in the labour market, with a view to facilitating adjustment and strengthening the economy’s growth potential. In support of this ambitious policy package, the Irish authorities are requesting financial assistance from the Union and the Member States whose currency is the euro, and bilateral loans from the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark and the IMF.

(4)

Under the Commission’s current projections for nominal GDP growth (1,4 % in 2011, 2,7 % in 2012 and 3,8 % in 2013), the fiscal adjustment path specified in Council Recommendation of 7 December 2010 with a view to bringing to an end the situation of an excessive deficit in Ireland is consistent with a path for the debt-to-GDP ratio of 98,9 % in 2010, 113,5 % in 2011, 120,0 % in 2012 and 121,8 % in 2013. The debt-to-GDP ratio would therefore be stabilised in 2013 and be placed on a declining path thereafter, assuming further progress in the reduction of the deficit. Debt dynamics are affected by several below-the-line operations, which are projected to increase the debt-to-GDP ratio by 5,3 percentage points (pps.) of GDP in 2011 and 0,8 pps. of GDP in 2012, and to reduce it by 1,3 pps. of GDP in 2013. These include projected capital injections into banks in 2011, reductions in cash reserves, and differences between accrued and cash interest payments.

(5)

The assessment by the Commission, in liaison with the European Central Bank (ECB), is that Ireland needs financing of a total amount of EUR 85 billion (85 000 million) over the period from December 2010 to the end of 2013. Notwithstanding the significant fiscal adjustment, the financing gap for the sovereign may amount to EUR 50 billion over the period of the Programme. This assumes roll-over rates for maturing long-term debt of 0 % until the end of 2011, 20 % in 2012, and 80 % in 2013. Conservative roll-over assumptions are also made regarding short-term debt. The financial sector strategy contained in the Programme to restore confidence in the Irish banking system on a sustainable basis contains a banking support scheme of up to EUR 35 billion. This comprises an immediate capital injection of up to EUR 10 billion into selected banks to bring their core tier 1 capital ratio to 12 %, while also funding early measures to support deleveraging and taking account of haircuts on the additional loans to be transferred to the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA). Further provisions of contingency capital of EUR 25 billion should provide assurance that banks are able to meet current and future capital requirements. Actual funding needs may, however, be substantially lower, in particular if market conditions improve significantly and no severe unexpected banking losses materialise during the period of the Programme.

(6)

The Programme would be financed through contributions from external sources and the use of Irish financial buffers. The Union’s assistance to Ireland would reach up to EUR 22,5 billion under the European financial stabilisation mechanism (EFSM) established by Regulation (EU) No 407/2010. This would be part of total support provided by Ireland’s European partners amounting to EUR 45 billion. Further to the support from the EFSM, loans from Ireland’s partner countries in the Union would include contributions from the European Financial Stability Facility (EUR 17,7 billion), and bilateral lending support from the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Denmark (EUR 4,8 billion in total). In addition, Ireland has requested a loan from the IMF of 19,5 billion Special Drawing Rights (equivalent to around EUR 22,5 billion) under an Extended Fund Facility. The Irish contribution would be EUR 17,5 billion, and would come from the use of the existing Treasury cash reserve and contributions from the National Pensions Reserve Fund. The support from the EFSM needs to be supplied on terms and conditions similar to those of the IMF.

(7)

The Council should review on a regular basis the economic policies implemented by Ireland, in particular in the context of the annual reviews of Ireland’s update of the stability programme and implementation of the National Reform Programme, as well as under the excessive deficit procedure.

(8)

The Union financial assistance should be managed by the Commission. The specific economic policy conditions agreed with Ireland should be laid down in a Memorandum of Understanding on Specific Economic Conditionality (the ‘Memorandum of Understanding’). The detailed financial terms should be laid down in a Loan Facility Agreement.

(9)

The Commission, in consultation with the ECB, should verify at regular intervals that the economic policy conditions attached to the assistance are fulfilled, through missions and regular reporting by the Irish authorities, on a quarterly basis.

(10)

Throughout the implementation of the Programme, the Commission should provide additional policy advice and technical assistance in specific areas.

(11)

The operations which the Union financial assistance helps to finance must be compatible with Union policies and comply with the law of the Union. Interventions in support of financial institutions must be carried out in accordance with the Union’s rules on competition. The Commission, working together with the ECB and the IMF, intends to involve Member States as appropriate in the design and implementation of the prudential liquidity assessment (PLAR) and in the development of the strategy for the future structure, functioning and viability of Irish credit institutions.

(12)

The assistance should be provided with a view to supporting the successful implementation of the Programme,

(1)

African swine fever is a highly contagious virus infection of domestic pigs and wild boars, with the potential for very serious and rapid spread, irrespective of national borders.

(2)

Since 2007, Russia has been reporting numerous outbreaks of African swine fever in pigs and wild boars throughout the country.

(3)

In January 2011 an outbreak of African swine fever was reported close to the Union border, in the region of Saint Petersburg. The presence of that disease close to the Union border constitutes a serious risk to the livestock population in the Union.

(4)

The transporter should ensure that for each vehicle used for the transport of animals a register containing information on cleansing and disinfection is retained for a minimum period of 3 years according to Council Directive 64/432/EEC (2).

(5)

Import of pigs and pig meat products is not permitted from Russia, however the virus causing the disease persists also in a contaminated environment outside the host animal and can be introduced into the Union with vehicles which have transported pigs.

(6)

It is therefore necessary to adopt certain protection measures at Union level taking into account the risk of the spread of the disease, virus survival in the environment and potential routes of its transmission. In particular, it is necessary to ensure that vehicles which have transported pigs and which enter the Union from Russia are appropriately cleansed and disinfected.

(7)

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

(a)

refuse the entry into the territory of the Union of the livestock vehicle; or

(b)

subject the livestock vehicle to proper cleansing and disinfection at a place designated by the competent authority, as close as possible to the point of entry into the territory of the Union in the Member State concerned.