(1)

Following the initiation (2) of an anti-dumping investigation on 23 October 2004, the Commission imposed on 23 April 2005 by Regulation (EC) No 628/2005 (3) provisional anti-dumping duties on imports of farmed salmon originating in Norway (Regulation imposing a provisional duty).

(2)

The provisional anti-dumping duties which took the form of ad valorem duties ranging between 6,8 % and 24,5 % of the value of the imported products apply as of 27 April 2005.

(3)

Anti-dumping measures may take different forms. For example, whereas the actual amount of an ad valorem duty varies in response to the import prices, the effect of a minimum import price is static in nature. The purpose of both forms of measures is to eliminate the injurious effects of dumping. When choosing the form of the measure, the Commission has a wide discretion. In previous investigations of farmed salmon, duties based on a minimum import price sufficient to remove the effects of injurious dumping were the preferred form of the measures.

(4)

However, in imposing provisional measures in the current case, the Commission provisionally considered that a minimum import price might be difficult to enforce and be more open to circumvention than other forms of measures. Therefore, in this investigation, provisional measures were originally imposed in the form of ad valorem duties.

(5)

After the adoption of provisional measures, the Community market has seen a significant, unprecedented and unforeseeable rise in market prices for farmed salmon. The situation is aggravated by the fact that salmon is to a large extent traded as a fresh product with a short shelf-life. Thus, the excessive variations of market prices cannot be offset by stocking sufficient quantities of the product.

(6)

In the specific circumstances of this case, the original considerations for not imposing minimum import prices are no longer present. Indeed, currently there is minimal risk that a minimum import price will be evaded, contrary to some experience in the past. However, the volatility now observed in the market would also suggest that this dramatic development is not of such a lasting nature as to put into question the findings of dumping and injury made with regard to the investigation period.

(7)

Under these circumstances, it is considered appropriate to change the form of the measures to a minimum import price. As stated above, the purpose of the minimum price is the same as that of an ad valorem duty, i.e. to remove the effects of the injurious dumping.

(8)

Where imports are undertaken at a cif Community border price equal to or above the minimum import price established, no duty would be payable. If imports are undertaken at a lower price, the difference between the actual price and the minimum import price established would become payable.

(9)

As regards the level of the minimum import price necessary to remove the effects of the injurious dumping, the present amendment does not change the findings and methodology used in the Regulation imposing a provisional duty, in particular as set out in recitals 132 to 134 of that Regulation.

(10)

As imports from Norway made at prices at or above the minimum import price will remove the effects of the injurious dumping, it is appropriate that the minimum price should apply to all imports from Norway.

(11)

Farmed salmon is commonly traded in different presentations (gutted head on, gutted head off, whole fish fillets, other fillets or fillet portions). Therefore, when amending the existing duties into their new form, a non-injurious minimum import price level had to be established for each of these presentations, to reflect the added costs incurred in preparing each of them. In this respect, the different minimum import prices are based on the findings in previous anti-dumping investigations of the product concerned, as well as the findings in this investigation. They are essentially derived from the conversion factors, as contained in Council Regulation (EC) No 772/1999 (4), and also used in this investigation.

(12)

The exporting producers should be aware that if it is found that the measures are not effective, in particular, if the minimum import price is manipulated, absorbed or circumvented, the Commission may, after consulting the Advisory Committee, further amend Regulation (EC) No 628/2005, where appropriate, in order to ensure the effectiveness of the measures.

(13)

The provisional anti-dumping measures were originally imposed for a period of six months. Exporting producers representing a significant percentage of the trade involved have requested an extension of the provisional measures for a further period not exceeding three months.

(14)

Therefore, and in accordance with Article 7(7) of the basic Regulation, it is decided to extend the duration of the provisional measures until 22 January 2006, inclusive.

(15)

In the interest of sound administration, and having regard to the fact that time-limits for comments had already been set in the Regulation imposing a provisional duty, a period should be fixed, within which the interested parties which made themselves known within the time-limit specified in the notice of initiation may make their views known in writing and request a hearing. Furthermore, it should be stated that the findings concerning the imposition of duties made for the purposes of this Regulation are provisional and may have to be reconsidered for the purpose of any definitive duty,