(1)

For guazatine, maximum residue levels (MRLs) were set in Part A of Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005.

(2)

The European Food Safety Authority, hereinafter ‘the Authority’, submitted a reasoned opinion on the existing MRLs for guazatine in accordance with Article 12(1) of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 (2). All existing authorisations for plant protection products containing the active substance guazatine have been revoked. Neither were import tolerances reported at Union level nor were Codex MRLs available. In the absence of information on specific good agricultural practices that could be used in a consumer risk assessment, the Authority concluded that a value of 0,05 mg/kg provides a satisfactory level of protection for the European consumers. It is therefore appropriate to set the MRLs at the specific limit of determination. It is also appropriate to change the residue definition.

(3)

Moreover, Belgium indicated that the existing MRLs for guazatine in grapefruit and oranges may raise concerns of consumer protection. In particular, an acute consumer risk could not be excluded even by a refined risk assessment, taking into account a processing factor for citrus fruit. The European Commission and the Member States represented in the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed considered it an appropriate risk management decision to lower the MRLs to a level that has been demonstrated to be safe for European consumers.

(4)

In accordance with Article 6(2) and (4) of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 an application was submitted for guazatine used on citrus fruits. In accordance with Article 8 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 this application was evaluated by the Member State concerned and the evaluation report was forwarded to the Commission. The Authority assessed the application and the evaluation report, examining in particular the risks to the consumer and, where relevant, to animals and gave a reasoned opinion on the proposed MRLs (3). It forwarded this opinion to the Commission and the Member States and made it available to the public. It concluded in the opinion that it does not recommend setting the proposed MRLs since the available data were not sufficient to exclude a risk for European consumers.

(5)

The applicant requested an administrative review of the Authority's reasoned opinion according to Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. This review led to the conclusion that no substantial flaws and errors of assessment on the part of the Authority were identified.

(6)

Based on the reasoned opinions of the Authority and taking into account the factors relevant to the matter under consideration, the appropriate modifications to the MRLs fulfil the requirements of Article 14(2) of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005.

(7)

Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(8)

In order to allow for the normal marketing, processing and consumption of products, this Regulation should provide for a transitional arrangement for products which have been lawfully produced before the modification of the MRLs and for which information shows that a high level of consumer protection is maintained.

(9)

The transitional arrangement provided for by this Regulation should take the concerns of consumer protection with the existing MRLs for guazatine in grapefruit and oranges into account.

(10)

A reasonable period should be allowed to elapse before the modified MRLs become applicable in order to permit Member States, third countries and food business operators to prepare themselves to meet the new requirements which will result from the modification of the MRLs.

(11)

Through the World Trade Organisation, the trading partners of the Union were consulted on the new MRLs and their comments have been taken into account.

(12)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,

(1)

Implementing Regulation (EU) No 543/2011 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 Annex XVI, Part A thereto.

(2)

The standard import value is calculated each working day, in accordance with Article 136(1) of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 543/2011, taking into account variable daily data. Therefore this Regulation should enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union,

(1)

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1273/2011 (2) opened and provided for the administration of certain import tariff quotas for rice and broken rice, broken down by country of origin and split into several subperiods in accordance with Annex I to that Regulation.

(2)

October is the only subperiod for the quota with order number 09.4138 provided for under Article 1(1)(a) of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1273/2011. This quota comprises the balance of the unused quantities from the quotas with order numbers 09.4127, 09.4128, 09.4129 and 09.4130 in the previous subperiod. October is the last subperiod for the quotas provided for under Article 1(1)(b) and (e) of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1273/2011, which comprise the balance of the unused quantities from the previous subperiod.

(3)

The notifications sent in accordance with point (a) of Article 8 of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1273/2011 show that, for the quota with order number 09.4138, the applications lodged in the first 10 working days of October 2015 under Article 4(1) of that Implementing Regulation cover a quantity greater than that available. The extent to which import licences may be issued should therefore be determined by fixing the allocation coefficient to be applied to the quantities requested under the quota concerned, calculated in accordance with Article 7(2) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1301/2006 (3).

(4)

The notifications also show that, for the quota with order number 09.4148, the applications lodged in the first 10 working days of October 2015 under Article 4(1) of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1273/2011 cover a quantity less than that available.

(5)

The final percentage take-up for 2015 of each quota provided for by Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1273/2011 should also be made known.

(6)

In order to ensure sound management of the procedure of issuing import licences, this Regulation should enter into force immediately after its publication,

(1)

Article 23 of the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism (CETS No 196; ‘the Convention’) provides that that Convention shall be open for signature by the European Union.

(2)

On 1 April 2015 the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations on the Additional Protocol to the Convention (‘the Additional Protocol’).

(3)

On 19 May 2015 the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers adopted the Additional Protocol. The Commission has submitted to the Council of the European Union a proposal for a Council Decision authorising the signing of the Additional Protocol on behalf of the European Union.

(4)

Article 10 of the Additional Protocol provides that the Additional Protocol shall be open for signature by signatories to the Convention.

(5)

Council Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA (1), established common Union rules on combatting terrorism. The Convention might affect those common rules or alter their scope.

(6)

The Convention should therefore be signed on behalf of the European Union as regards matters falling within the competence of the Union in so far as the Convention may affect those common rules or alter their scope. The Member States retain their competence in so far as the Convention does not affect common rules or alter the scope thereof.

(7)

Ireland is bound by Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA and is therefore taking part in the adoption of this Decision.

(8)

In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of Protocol (No 21) on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and without prejudice to Article 4 of that Protocol, the United Kingdom is not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application.

(9)

In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of Protocol (No 22) on the position of Denmark, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Denmark is not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application,

(1)

On 1 April 2015 the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations for the Additional Protocol to the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism (CETS No 196), hereinafter ‘the Additional Protocol’.

(2)

On 19 May 2015 the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers adopted the Additional Protocol. The Additional Protocol aims at facilitating the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2178(2014) on foreign terrorist fighters and, in particular, at establishing criminal offences for certain acts identified in operative paragraph 6 of that Resolution.

(3)

A common understanding of foreign terrorist-fighter-related offences and criminal offences of a preparatory nature with the potential to lead to the commission of terrorist acts, would contribute to further enhancing the effectiveness of the criminal justice instruments and cooperation at Union and international level.

(4)

Council Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA (1) established common Union rules on combatting terrorism. The Additional Protocol might affect those common rules or alter their scope.

(5)

The Additional Protocol should therefore be signed on behalf of the European Union as regards matters falling within the competence of the Union in so far as the Additional Protocol may affect those common rules or alter their scope. The Member States retain their competence in so far as the Protocol does not affect common rules or alter the scope thereof.

(6)

Ireland is bound by Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA and is therefore taking part in the adoption of this Decision.

(7)

In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of Protocol (No 21) on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and without prejudice to Article 4 of that Protocol, the United Kingdom is not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application.

(8)

In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of Protocol (No 22) on the position of Denmark, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Denmark is not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application,

(1)

On 26 January, on 5 February and on 23 June 2015, the Council adopted Decisions (EU) 2015/116 (1), (EU) 2015/190 (2) and (EU) 2015/994 (3) appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period from 26 January 2015 to 25 January 2020.

(2)

Two members' seats on the Committee of the Regions have become vacant following the end of the term of office of Mr José Ramón BAUZÁ DÍAZ and Ms Cristina MAZAS PÉREZ-OLEAGA,

(3)

Three alternate members' seats on the Committee of the Regions have become vacant following the end of the term of office of Ms María DE DIEGO DURÁNTEZ, Mr Esteban MAS PORTELL and Ms Inmaculada VALENCIA BAYÓN,

—

Da. Francina ARMENGOL I SOCIAS, Presidenta del Gobierno de las Islas Baleares

—

Da. Rosa EVA DÍAZ TEZANOS, Vicepresidenta y Consejera de Universidades e Investigación, Medio Ambiente y Politica Social de la Comunidad de Cantabria

—

Da. María DE DIEGO DURÁNTEZ, Viceconsejera de Ordenación del Territorio y Relaciones Institucionales de la Comunidad de Castilla y León

—

D. Marc PONS I PONS, Consejero de Presidencia del Gobierno de la Islas Baleares

—

D. Juan José SOTA VERDIÓN, Consejero de Economía, Hacienda y Empleo de Cantabria.

(1)

Pursuant to Article 10(3) of Decision 2014/219/CFSP, the Council authorised the Political and Security Committee (‘PSC’) to take relevant decisions on the establishment of a Committee of Contributors (‘CoC’) for EUCAP Sahel Mali.

(2)

The European Council Conclusions of Göteborg of 15 and 16 June 2001 established guiding principles and arrangements for third States' contributions to police missions. On 10 December 2002, the Council approved a document entitled ‘Consultations and Modalities for the Contribution of non-EU States to EU civilian crisis management operations’ which further developed the arrangements for the participation of third States in civilian crisis management operations, including the establishment of a CoC.

(3)

The CoC should be a forum for discussing all problems relating to EUCAP Sahel Mali's day-to-day management with the contributing third States. The PSC, which exercises the political control and strategic direction of EUCAP Sahel Mali, should take account of the views expressed by the CoC,

(1)

Pursuant to Article 10(3) of Decision 2014/219/CFSP, the Council authorised the Political and Security Committee (‘PSC’) to take relevant decisions on the acceptance of the proposed contributions to EUCAP Sahel Mali by third States.

(2)

Following the recommendation of the Civilian Operations Commander, the PSC should accept the proposed contribution from Switzerland to EUCAP Sahel Mali and should consider the contribution as significant.

(3)

Therefore, Switzerland should be exempted from financial contributions to the operational budget of EUCAP Sahel Mali,

(1)

Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 establishes a harmonised framework for the organisation of official controls to verify compliance with food law and feed law and animal health and animal welfare rules laid down in Union legislation. Title IV thereof lays down the rules for administrative assistance and cooperation between competent authorities in the Member States in order to ensure the application of food and feed law.

(2)

In particular, Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 requires Member States to provide each other with administrative assistance, to cooperate and to exchange information in order to ensure that cross-border instances of non-compliance are effectively pursued.

(3)

In addition, Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 provides for the administrative assistance and cooperation obligations of Member States to be complemented by the obligation for the Commission to coordinate the action undertaken by Member States where instances of non-compliance are widespread or recurrent, or where Member States fail to agree on how to address non-compliance.

(4)

To fulfil the obligations laid down in Regulation (EC) No 882/2004, the competent authorities in each Member State are required to exchange information that is necessary to enable the verification of compliance with food and feed law with their counterparts in other Member States, and in certain cases, with the Commission, where the results of official controls require action in more than one Member State.

(5)

For the exchange of information to be conducted as efficiently as possible, an IT system should be set up, namely, the Administrative Assistance and Cooperation system (‘AAC system’), to provide the liaison bodies, designated in each Member State in accordance with Article 35 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004, with the necessary tools to facilitate the practical implementation of the exchange of information required by that Regulation. The AAC system should offer a streamlined method of communication and a structured format for the exchange of information.

(6)

For the development, use and maintenance of the AAC system, the Information Technology (IT) rationalisation policy principles of the Commission apply, which means the reuse of existing systems, in this case, where possible, the reuse of existing data exchange systems, in order to provide the most efficient solution possible and avoid unnecessary duplication of IT systems.

(7)

Access to the AAC System should only be granted to the liaison bodies designated in each Member State in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 and to Commission nominated staff. Member States should be able to indicate, among the designated liaison bodies, certain liaison bodies that have been specifically designated to utilise the AAC system in relation to instances of a possible non-compliance perpetrated through deceptive fraudulent practices.

(8)

In order to provide further technical support and facilitate the preparation of administrative assistance and cooperation procedures, upon request of a liaison body, competent authorities at central or regional level, within a Member State, may be given access to a number of technical functionalities of the AAC system. Such access may be given only to the functionalities necessary to enable the exchange of information, relating to requests for assistance or notification of non-compliance, between those authorities and the liaison body that deals with that request or notification.

(9)

In certain cases, information concerning non-compliance with food or feed law is disseminated by and among the competent authorities in the Member States through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), established in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2), and through the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES), established by Commission Decision 2004/292/EC (3). In order to avoid unnecessary duplication, that information should be made available through the AAC system to the liaison bodies designated in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 882/2004, so that the Member State notifying that information to the RASFF or TRACES is not required to upload the same information onto the AAC system for the purposes of administrative assistance and cooperation. Accordingly, the RASFF and TRACES applications should be enabled to provide data to the AAC system in order to streamline the process.

(10)

Information exchanged concerning administrative assistance and cooperation pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 may include the results of official controls performed on business operators and on premises and goods under their control, and information which permits the identification of such operators, premises or goods. Access to such information should be restricted to those officials who, given their function within the competent authorities, need the information for the purpose of verifying compliance with, or otherwise enforcing, food or feed law.

(11)

The AAC System should permit the closure of an administrative assistance and cooperation procedure by the liaison body that sent a request for assistance or a notification regarding a possible or established cross-border instance of non-compliance, once the assistance or feedback to the notification has been provided by the liaison body that received the request or notification. Arrangements should be put in place to avoid procedures becoming dormant or remaining open unnecessarily and should allow the system to automatically close a procedure where no activity or exchange of information has taken place over a period of 6 months.

(12)

This Decision respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles which are recognised by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. In particular, this Decision seeks to ensure full respect for the right to protection of personal data.

(13)

Where the exchange of information provided for in Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 and in this Decision involves the processing of personal data, a careful assessment should be carried out to ensure that the processing is strictly necessary to achieve the purposes of efficient administrative assistance and cooperation, and that such processing is in accordance with the national provisions implementing Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (4) and with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (5). Where exemptions and restrictions of certain rights of the data subjects and obligations of the data controller laid down by Directive 95/46/EC and Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 are considered in order to safeguard the interests referred to in Article 13(1)(d) and (f) of Directive 95/46/EC and in Article 20(1)(a) and (e) of Regulation (EC) No 45/2001, those exemptions and restrictions may only be adopted if they are necessary and proportionate to the objective pursued. Restrictions to the rights of data subjects should constitute a necessary measure to prevent interference with the official control tasks of the competent authorities and with the assessment of compliance with food law or feed law. In particular, rights of the data subjects may be restricted, in accordance with Directive 95/46/EC and Regulation (EC) No 45/2001, during the period in which actions are carried out for the purpose of sighting or discrete surveillance, where granting them would jeopardise or undermine the purpose of official controls or investigations. In order to guarantee a high level of data protection, it is appropriate to establish a maximum timeframe to ensure that personal data do not remain in the AAC system longer than it is necessary to achieve compliance with the rules laid down in Title IV of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004. In particular, a retention period of 5 years, starting from the closure of the administrative assistance and cooperation procedure, should be established, after which time personal data should be removed from the AAC system. The length of the retention period is necessary to give the possibility to the liaison bodies and the Commission to consult the information over a sufficient period of time after the administrative assistance and cooperation procedure has been closed, in order to ascertain the timely identification of reoccurring, connected or widespread non-compliance with food or feed law.

(14)

It is appropriate to lay down rules concerning the rectification of information exchanged through the AAC system in order to ensure that the information stored in that system is accurate. It is also appropriate to lay down minimum requirements for data security to prevent any unauthorised access or use of them.

(15)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,