# C_2008064EN.01000601.xml

| 8.3.2008 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 64/6 |
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8.3.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 64/6

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Judgment of the Court (Third Chamber) of 17 January 2008 (reference for a preliminary ruling from the Finanzgericht Hamburg, Germany) — Viamex Agrar Handels GmbH (C-37/06), Zuchtvieh-Kontor GmbH (ZVK) (C-58/06) v Hauptzollamt Hamburg-Jonas

(Joined Cases C-37/06 and C-58/06) (1)

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(Regulation (EC) No 615/98 - Directive 91/628/EEC - Export refunds - Protection of bovine animals during transport - Payment of export refunds for bovine animals subject to compliance with Directive 91/628/EEC - Principle of proportionality - Forfeiture of export refunds)

(2008/C 64/06)

Language of the case: German

Referring court

Finanzgericht Hamburg

Parties to the main proceedings

Applicants: Viamex Agrar Handels GmbH (C-37/06), Zuchtvieh-Kontor GmbH (ZVK) (C-58/06)

Applicants:

Defendant: Hauptzollamt Hamburg-Jonas

Defendant:

Re:

Reference for a preliminary ruling — Finanzgericht Hamburg — Validity of Articles 1 and 5(3) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 615/98 of 18 March 1998 laying down specific detailed rules of application for the export refund arrangements as regards the welfare of live bovine animals during transport (OJ 1998 L 82, p. 19) — Payment of export refunds for bovine animals subject to compliance with the provisions of Council Directive 91/628/EEC of 19 November 1991 on the protection of animals during transport and amending Directives 90/425/EEC and 91/496/EEC (OJ 1991 L 340, p. 17) — Forfeiture of a refund as a result of a failure to observe prescribed rest periods during the transport of the animals

Operative part of the judgment

| 1) | Consideration of the first question has disclosed nothing capable of casting doubt on the validity of Article 1 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 615/98 of 18 March 1998 laying down specific detailed rules of application for the export refund arrangements as regards the welfare of live bovine animals during transport. |
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1)

Consideration of the first question has disclosed nothing capable of casting doubt on the validity of Article 1 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 615/98 of 18 March 1998 laying down specific detailed rules of application for the export refund arrangements as regards the welfare of live bovine animals during transport.

| 2) | Consideration of the second question has disclosed nothing capable of casting doubt on the validity of Article 5(3) of Regulation No 615/98 in the light of the principle of proportionality. It is for the Finanzgericht Hamburg to assess whether the competent authorities have applied the relevant provisions of Regulation No 615/98 in a manner that is consonant with that principle. |
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2)

Consideration of the second question has disclosed nothing capable of casting doubt on the validity of Article 5(3) of Regulation No 615/98 in the light of the principle of proportionality. It is for the Finanzgericht Hamburg to assess whether the competent authorities have applied the relevant provisions of Regulation No 615/98 in a manner that is consonant with that principle.

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(1)  OJ C 96, 22.4.2006.

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