29.7.2006   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 208/1

(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,

29.7.2006   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 208/3

(1)

For the Member States making use of the option provided for in Article 62 of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003, the national ceilings set in Annex VIII to that Regulation should be revised on the basis of the information communicated under Article 145(i) thereof.

(2)

The Community’s financial contribution towards support programmes of specific measures to assist livestock farming in outermost regions is provided for as from 2006 in Article 23 of Council Regulation (EC) No 247/2006 of 30 January 2006 laying down specific measures for agriculture in the outermost regions of the Union (2). The Member States concerned should in consequence deduct from the national ceilings set in Annex VIII to Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 the amount of the contribution corresponding to those specific measures initially included in Annex VIII.

(3)

The national ceilings set under point K(2) of Annex VII to Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 should be adjusted to take into account the most recent data on chicory and the national ceilings set in Annex VIII to that Regulation should be amended accordingly, without however changing the overall amounts.

(4)

The ceilings set in point K(2) of Annex VII to Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 should also be amended to take into account the quantities of quotas sugar and quota inulin syrup which were produced in one Member State from beet and chicory grown in another Member State during the 2000/01 to 2005/06 marketing years. The national ceilings set in Annexes VIII and VIIIa to that Regulation should be amended accordingly.

(5)

For Member States implementing the Single Payment Scheme provided for in Title III of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 in 2006, the budgetary ceilings for each of the payments referred to in Articles 66 to 69 of that Regulation should be fixed for 2006 under the conditions laid down in Section 2 of Title III.

(6)

For the Member States making use, in 2006, of the option provided for in Article 70 of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003, the budgetary ceilings applying to the direct payments excluded from the Single Payment Scheme should be fixed for 2006.

(7)

For the Member States making use of the transitional period provided for in Article 71 of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003, the budgetary ceilings applying to the direct payments listed in Annex VI to that Regulation should be fixed for 2006.

(8)

The maximum amount of aid for olive groves referred to in Article 110i(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 should be adjusted according to the value of the coefficient referred to in Annex VII(H) and the amount withheld under Article 110i(4), notified by the Member States concerned, and the national ceilings set in Annex VIII should be adjusted accordingly. No amount should be fixed for Member States that have decided to set at 1 the coefficient provided for under Annex VII(H).

(9)

The maximum amount of Community contribution to the financing of work programmes drawn up by certified organisations of operators in the olive oil sector should be set, according to the coefficient applied to the amount withheld under Article 110(i)(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003, notified by the Member States concerned.

(10)

The maximum amount of aid for tobacco referred to in Article 110l(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 should be adjusted according to the value of the coefficient referred to in Annex VII(I), notified by the Member States concerned, and the national ceilings set in Annex VIII to that Regulation should be adjusted accordingly. No amount should be fixed for Member States that have decided to set at 1 the coefficient provided for under Annex VII(I).

(11)

For the sake of clarity, it is appropriate to publish the budgetary ceilings for the Single Payment Scheme for 2006 after deduction, from the revised ceilings of Annex VIII to Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003, of the ceilings established for the payments referred to in Articles 66 to 70 of that Regulation.

(12)

The maximum amount of funds available to Member States having joined the European Union in 2004 and applying the Single Area Payment Scheme for granting separate sugar payments in 2006 under Article 143ba of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 should be established on the basis of their notifications.

(13)

For Member States having joined the European Union in 2004 and implementing the Single Area Payment Scheme provided for in Title IVa of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 in 2006, the annual financial envelopes for 2006 should be fixed in accordance with Article 143b(3) of that Regulation.

(14)

Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 should be amended accordingly.

(15)

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

1.

in Article 110i(3), first subparagraph, the table is replaced by the following table:

2.

In Article 110l(1) the table is replaced by the following table:

3.

In Annex VII, point K(2), table 1 is replaced by the table contained in Annex VII to this Regulation.

4.

Annex VIII is replaced by the text contained in Annex VIII to this Regulation.

5.

Annex VIIIa is replaced by the text contained in Annex IX to this Regulation.

29.7.2006   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 208/15

(1)

Article 4 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 188/2005 (4) establishes the annual amount for the financing, from the 2005 calendar year, of the programme to assist traditional activities in the meat sector in the French overseas departments, as provided for by Article 9(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1452/2001.

(2)

The second subparagraph of Article 9(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1452/2001 lays down that the Commission shall increase this annual amount, subject to a maximum provided for in that provision, in order to take into consideration the development of local production.

(3)

The development of local production in the French overseas departments, as established in accordance with Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 188/2005, is such that the respective annual amount set out in Article 4 of that Regulation should be increased accordingly, subject to the maximum under Article 9(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1452/2001.

(4)

Regulation (EC) No 188/2005 should be amended accordingly.

(5)

The aid programme concerned being applicable from 1 January 2006, this Regulation should also apply from that date.

(6)

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

29.7.2006   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 208/17

(1)

In accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 1898/2005 of 9 November 2005 laying down detailed rules for implementing Council Regulation (EC) No 1255/99 as regards measures for the disposal of cream, butter and concentrated butter on the Community market (2), the intervention agencies may sell by standing invitation to tender certain quantities of butter from intervention stocks that they hold and may grant aid for cream, butter and concentrated butter. Article 25 of that Regulation lays down that in the light of the tenders received in response to each individual invitation to tender a minimum selling price shall be fixed for butter and maximum aid shall be fixed for cream, butter and concentrated butter. It is further laid down that the price or aid may vary according to the intended use of the butter, its fat content and the incorporation procedure. The amount of the processing security as referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EC) No 1898/2005 should be fixed accordingly.

(2)

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

29.7.2006   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 208/19

(1)

In accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 1898/2005 of 9 November 2005 laying down detailed rules for implementing Council Regulation (EC) No 1255/99 as regards measures for the disposal of cream, butter and concentrated butter on the Community market (2), the intervention agencies may sell by standing invitation to tender certain quantities of butter of intervention stocks that they hold and may grant aid for cream, butter and concentrated butter. Article 25 of that Regulation lays down that in the light of the tenders received in response to each individual invitation to tender a minimum selling price shall be fixed for butter and maximum aid shall be fixed for cream, butter and concentrated butter. It is further laid down that the price or aid may vary according to the intended use of the butter, its fat content and the incorporation procedure. The amount of the processing security as referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EC) No 1898/2005 should be fixed accordingly.

(2)

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

29.7.2006   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 208/21

(1)

Pursuant to Article 16(2) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 2771/1999 of 16 December 1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1255/1999 as regards intervention on the market in butter and cream (2), a notice of invitation to tender was published in the Official Journal of the European Union for the purpose of the buying-in of butter by standing invitation to tender, as opened by Commission Regulation (EC) No 796/2006 (3).

(2)

In the light of the tenders received in response to individual invitations to tender, a maximum buying-in price is to be fixed or a decision is to be taken to make no award, in accordance with Article 17a of Regulation (EC) No 2771/1999.

(3)

In the light of the tenders received for the 4th individual invitation to tender, a maximum buying-in price should be fixed.

(4)

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

29.7.2006   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 208/22

(1)

In accordance with Article 47 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1898/2005 of 9 November 2005 laying down detailed rules for implementing Council Regulation (EC) No 1255/99 as regards measures for the disposal of cream, butter and concentrated butter on the Community market (2), the intervention agencies are opening a standing invitation to tender for the granting of aid for concentrated butter. Article 54 of that Regulation provides that in the light of the tenders received in response to each special invitation to tender, a maximum amount of aid is to be fixed for concentrated butter with a minimum fat content of 96 %.

(2)

An end-use security provided for in Article 53(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1898/2005 is to be lodged to ensure the taking over of the concentrated butter by the retail trade.

(3)

In the light of the tenders received, the maximum aid should be fixed at the appropriate level and the end-use security should be determined accordingly.

(4)

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

29.7.2006   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 208/23

(1)

Regulation (EC) No 796/2006 has opened the buying-in of butter by tendering for the period expiring on 31 August 2006 in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 6(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1255/1999.

(2)

On the basis of most recent communications by Estonia, the Commission has observed that the butter market prices have been equal or above 92 % of the intervention price for two consecutive weeks. Intervention buying-in by tendering should therefore be suspended in this Member State. This Member State should therefore be removed from the list set out in Regulation (EC) No 796/2006.

(3)

Regulation (EC) No 796/2006 should therefore be amended accordingly,

29.7.2006   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 208/24

(1)

Pursuant to Article 21 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 2771/1999 of 16 December 1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1255/1999 as regards intervention on the market in butter and cream (2), intervention agencies have put up for sale by standing invitation to tender certain quantities of butter held by them.

(2)

In the light of the tenders received in response to each individual invitation to tender a minimum selling price shall be fixed or a decision shall be taken to make no award, in accordance with Article 24a of Regulation (EC) No 2771/1999.

(3)

In the light of the tenders received, 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 Milk and Milk Products,

29.7.2006   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 208/25

(1)

Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 1784/2003 provides that the difference between quotations or prices on the world market for the products listed in Article 1 of that Regulation and prices for those products within the Community may be covered by an export refund.

(2)

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1517/95 of 29 June 1995 laying down detailed rules for the application of Regulation (EC) No 1784/2003 as regards the arrangements for the export and import of compound feedingstuffs based on cereals and amending Regulation (EC) No 1162/95 laying down special detailed rules for the application of the system of import and export licences for cereals and rice (2) in Article 2 lays down general rules for fixing the amount of such refunds.

(3)

That calculation must also take account of the cereal products content. In the interest of simplification, the refund should be paid in respect of two categories of ‘cereal products’, namely for maize, the most commonly used cereal in exported compound feeds and maize products, and for ‘other cereals’, these being eligible cereal products excluding maize and maize products. A refund should be granted in respect of the quantity of cereal products present in the compound feedingstuff.

(4)

Furthermore, the amount of the refund must also take into account the possibilities and conditions for the sale of those products on the world market, the need to avoid disturbances on the Community market and the economic aspect of the export.

(5)

The current situation on the cereals market and, in particular, the supply prospects mean that the export refunds should be abolished.

(6)

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

29.7.2006   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 208/27

(1)

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1001/2006 (3) fixed the amount of the end-use security provided for in Article 53(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1898/2005 for the 12th individual invitation to tender opened under the standing invitation to tender provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1898/2005.

(2)

As a result of an administrative error, the level of the end-use security fixed in the second paragraph of Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No 1001/2006 does not correspond to the real level to be fixed.

(3)

Regulation (EC) No 1001/2006 should therefore be corrected accordingly. As the correct amount of the security is lower than the amount originally provided for, this correction should be applied from the date of entry into force of Regulation (EC) No 1001/2006,

29.7.2006   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 208/28

(1)

The Treaty amending, with regard to Greenland, the Treaties establishing the European Communities (1) (The Greenland Treaty), which entered into force on 1 February 1985, provides that the Treaty establishing the European Community (EC Treaty) shall no longer apply to Greenland, but that Greenland, being a part of a Member State shall be associated to the European Community as one of the overseas countries and territories (OCTs).

(2)

In its preamble, the Greenland Treaty states that arrangements should be introduced which permit close and lasting links between the Community and Greenland to be maintained and mutual interests, notably the development needs of Greenland, to be taken into account and that the arrangements applicable to OCTs set out in Part Four of the EC Treaty provide an appropriate framework for these relations.

(3)

In accordance with Article 182 of the EC Treaty, the purpose of association is to promote the economic and social development of the OCTs and to establish close economic relations between them and the Community as a whole. Pursuant to Article 188 of the EC Treaty, the provisions of Articles 182 to 187 apply to Greenland, subject to the specific provisions set out in the Protocol on special arrangements for Greenland annexed to the Treaty.

(4)

The provisions for the application of the principles set out in Articles 182 to 186 of the EC Treaty are set out in Council Decision 2001/822/EC of 27 November 2001 on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Community (Overseas Association Decision) (2), which continues to apply to Greenland under the conditions laid down in that Decision.

(5)

The Council of the European Union in its conclusions of 24 February 2003 on the Mid-term Review of the Fourth Fisheries protocol between the European Community, the Government of Denmark and the Home Rule Government of Greenland, agreed that there is a need to broaden and strengthen future relations between the EU and Greenland taking into account the importance of fisheries and the structural development problems in Greenland. The Council further expressed its commitment to base the future relationship of the EU with Greenland after 2006 on a comprehensive partnership for sustainable development which will include a specific fisheries agreement, negotiated according to the general rules and principles for such agreements.

(6)

In its above mentioned conclusions, the Council was of the view that within the next financial framework of the EU, and bearing in mind the needs of all the OCTs, future financial commitments towards Greenland should be orientated to their present level, while taking into account other prevailing circumstances and a fair balance of mutual interests, notably the development needs of Greenland and the needs of the Community for continued access to fish stocks available in Greenland waters on a sustainable basis, as well as financial contributions from other parties.

(7)

The Agreement on fisheries between the European Economic Community, on the one hand, and the Government of Denmark and the local Government of Greenland, on the other, signed in Brussels on 13 March 1984 (3), which recalls the spirit of cooperation resulting from the Community's decision to grant the status of overseas territory to Greenland, will be replaced by a new Fisheries Partnership Agreement on 1 January 2007.

(8)

The Joint Declaration by the European Community, on the one hand, and the Home Rule Government of Greenland and the Government of Denmark, on the other, on partnership between the European Community and Greenland, signed in Luxembourg on 27 June 2006 (4), recalls the close historical, political, economic and cultural connections between the Community and Greenland and emphasises the need to strengthen further their partnership and cooperation in the areas covered by this decision.

(9)

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 (5),

(a)

to provide a framework for dialogue;

(b)

to achieve common goals by consulting on issues of common interest to ensure that the cooperation efforts have maximum effect in accordance with the priorities of both partners;

(c)

to provide a basis for economic, financial, scientific, educational and cultural cooperation founded on the principles of mutual responsibility and mutual support;

(d)

to contribute to the development of Greenland.

(a)

education and training;

(b)

mineral resources;

(c)

energy;

(d)

tourism and culture;

(e)

research;

(f)

food safety.

(a)

adopting sector policies;

(b)

monitoring and evaluating the effects and results of the sector policies;

(c)

ensuring the proper, prompt and efficient execution of the strategies under the sector policies;

(d)

reporting back to the Commission on an annual basis on achievements under the sector policies.

(a)

reforms and projects that are in keeping with the sector policies;

(b)

institutional development, capacity building and integration of environmental aspects;

(c)

technical cooperation programmes.

29.7.2006   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 208/37

(1)

Pursuant to Decision 90/424/EEC the Community is to undertake or assist the Member States in undertaking the technical and scientific measures necessary for the development of Community veterinary legislation and for the development of veterinary education or training.

(2)

Studies, impact assessments as well as systematic and timely evaluations of its expenditure programmes are an established priority for the European Commission as a means of accounting for the management of allocated funds and as a way of promoting a lesson-learning culture throughout the organisation, particularly in a context of increased focus on results-based management.

(3)

In order to carry out these tasks, a call for tender for an evaluation framework contract covering the policy areas of food safety, animal health and welfare, and zootechnics has been launched following an open procedure during the last quarter 2004.

(4)

The framework contract has been concluded on 18 June 2005 for a period of 24 months. This framework contract is already providing relevant information serving as a basis for a Community decision making.

(5)

All individual tasks shall be subject to specific agreements. These agreements shall be signed between the Commission and the selected contractor as defined in the framework contract.

(6)

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

29.7.2006   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 208/39

(1)

Commission Decision 2006/147/EC of 24 February 2006 on introducing preventive vaccination against highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 and related provisions for movements in the Netherlands (2) approved the plan for preventive vaccination against highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1, submitted by the Netherlands to the Commission on 21 February 2006 (the preventive vaccination plan). It also provided for certain measures to be applied in the Netherlands where preventive vaccination is carried out in certain poultry holdings at particular risk for the introduction of infection by that disease, including movement restrictions on vaccinated poultry.

(2)

In accordance with the preventive vaccination plan, the Netherlands has undertaken the preventive vaccination of ‘organic’ and ‘free range layer’ poultry and ‘backyard poultry’ against highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1. The preventive vaccination plan is a pilot project since there is limited experience with preventive vaccination under such conditions and for some of the species concerned.

(3)

The preventive vaccination plan, as submitted by the Netherlands and approved by Decision 2006/147/EC, provides that preventive vaccination must be completed by 30 June 2006. The Netherlands carried out vaccinations in accordance with the preventive vaccination until that date.

(4)

In accordance with the obligations for reporting under Article 13 of Decision 2006/147/EC the Netherlands has submitted a report containing information on the implementation of the preventive vaccination plan and has reported to the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health as well as to expert working groups on the use of preventive vaccination and has requested to continue such vaccination.

(5)

In addition, on the basis of the information provided by the Netherlands, it seems that further field experience is needed with respect to the use of preventive vaccination against the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza of H5N1 subtype. It is therefore appropriate to approve such preventive vaccination until 31 July 2007.

(6)

The Netherlands has also requested approval of certain amendments to the preventive vaccination plan submitted on 21 February 2006, as regards its practical implementation such as the species to be vaccinated, the use of bivalent vaccines, identification of individual birds in backyard poultry flocks, the place of vaccination and restrictions on movements of such poultry. The Commission considers that those amendments are in accordance with the relevant Community legislation.

(7)

Decision 2006/147/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.

(8)

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.

Article 1(2)(a) is replaced by the following:

2.

Article 2(1) is replaced by the following:

‘1.   The plan for preventive vaccination against highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1, as submitted by the Netherlands to the Commission on 21 February 2006, and the amendments to that plan, including the continuation of that plan until 31 July 2007, as submitted by the Netherlands to the Commission on 29 June 2006, are approved (the preventive vaccination plan).

In accordance with the preventive vaccination plan, the preventive vaccination against avian influenza shall be carried out with an inactivated heterologous vaccine of avian influenza subtype H5 or with a bivalent inactivated heterologous vaccine containing both avian influenza subtypes H5 and H7 authorised by the Netherlands in backyard poultry, organic and free range layers in the Netherlands.’.

3.

Article 4, point 1 is replaced by the following: