ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
(8)

According to the EDP data notified by the UK authorities in March 2008, the United Kingdom's general government deficit in 2008/09 was planned to reach 3,2 % of GDP, thus exceeding the 3 % of GDP reference value; this ratio was identical to that published in the United Kingdom's March 2008 budget, which also presented budgetary plans showing a general government deficit of 2,8 % of GDP in 2009/10. The deficit figure in the latter year is lower than the corresponding figure in the Commission services' spring forecast of 3,3 % of GDP, mainly due to differences in expected GDP growth in 2009/10. Following the publication of the March 2008 budget, a policy announcement on 13 May reducing personal income tax in 2008/09 will cost GBP 2,7 billion in 2008/09. Adding this to the Commission services' spring 2008 forecast would imply a deficit of 3,5 % of GDP. Although above the 3 % of GDP Treaty reference value, the deficit planned for 2008/09, as notified in March 2008, is close to it. The excess over the 3 % of GDP reference value is not exceptional in the sense of Article 104(2) of the Treaty. In particular, it does not result from an unusual event outside the control of the United Kingdom authorities, nor is it the result of a severe economic downturn. The Commission services' spring 2008 forecast projects UK growth to slow in 2008 and 2009 to annual rates below potential. Nevertheless, GDP growth is expected to reach 1,7 % in 2008 and 1,6 % in 2009. The excess over the 3 % of GDP reference value is also considered not temporary, with the Commission services forecasting, on the basis of unchanged policies, a deficit ratio in 2009/10 still higher than 3 % (at 3,3 %). This indicates that the Treaty requirement concerning the deficit criterion is not fulfilled.
‘1.

Without prejudice to the provisions referred to in point 2, in the case of movements from demarcated areas into areas in Portugal, other than demarcated areas, or into other Member States or third countries, of: (a) susceptible plants, those plants shall be, for destinations within the Community, accompanied by a plant passport prepared and issued in accordance with the provisions of Commission Directive 92/105/EEC (1), after: — the plants have been officially inspected and found free from signs or symptoms of PWN, and — no symptoms of PWN have been observed at the place of production or in its immediate vicinity since the beginning of the last complete cycle of vegetation; (b) susceptible wood and isolated bark, other than wood in the form of: — chips, particles, wood waste or scrap obtained in whole or part from these conifers, — packing cases, crates or drums, — pallets, box pallets or other load boards, — dunnage, spacers and bearers, but including that which has not kept its natural round surface, that wood and isolated bark shall be, for destinations within the Community, accompanied by the plant passport referred to in point 1(a), after the wood or the isolated bark has undergone an appropriate heat treatment to achieve a minimum wood core temperature of 56 °C for 30 minutes in order to ensure freedom from live PWNs; (c) susceptible wood in the form of chips, particles, wood waste or scrap obtained in whole or part from these conifers, that wood shall, for destinations within the Community, be accompanied by the plant passport referred to in point 1(a) after having undergone an appropriate fumigation treatment in order to ensure freedom from live PWNs; (d) susceptible wood, originating in the demarcated areas, in the form of newly produced dunnage, spacers and bearers, including that which has not kept its natural round surface, as well as in the form of newly produced packing cases, boxes, crates, drums and similar packings, pallets, box pallets and other load boards, pallet collars, whether or not actually in use in the transport of objects of all kinds, that wood shall be subject to one of the approved measures as specified in Annex I to the FAO International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No 15 on Guidelines for regulating wood packaging material in international trade and marked according to Annex II to the said Standard. Portugal shall ensure that the plant passport referred to in point 1(a) or the mark in accordance with the FAO International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No 15 is attached to each unit of susceptible wood, bark and plants that is moved.
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 247/24

COUNCIL DECISION

of 15 September 2008

appointing an Italian member to the Committee of the Regions

(2008/726/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 263 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Italian Government,

Whereas:

(1) On 24 January 2006, the Council adopted Decision 2006/116/EC appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period from 26 January 2006 to 25 January 2010 (1).

(2) A member’s seat on the Committee of the Regions has become vacant following the expiry of the mandate of Mr Francesco SCOMA,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The following is hereby appointed to the Committee of the Regions as a member for the remainder of the current term of office, which runs until 25 January 2010:

Mr Francesco MUSOTTO, Deputato dell’Assemblea Regionale Siciliana.

Article 2

This Decision shall take effect on the date of its adoption.

Done at Brussels, 15 September 2008. For the Council The President B. KOUCHNER

(1) OJ L 56, 25.2.2006, p. 75.
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 266/13

COUNCIL DECISION

of 2 October 2008

appointing a Bulgarian member of the European Economic and Social Committee

(2008/775/EC, Euratom)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 259 thereof,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 167 thereof,

Having regard to Decision 2007/3/EC, Euratom (1),

Having regard to the proposal of the Bulgarian Government,

Having regard to the opinion of the Commission,

Whereas a member’s seat on the European Economic and Social Committee has become vacant following the resignation of Ms Andriana SUKOVA-TOSHEVA,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Ms Lena ROUSSENOVA, Chief Economist and Programme Director, Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria, is hereby appointed a member of the European Economic and Social Committee for the remainder of the current term of office, which runs until 20 September 2010.

Article 2

This Decision shall take effect on the day of its adoption.

Done at Luxembourg, 2 October 2008. For the Council The President X. BERTRAND

(1) OJ L 1, 4.1.2007, p. 6.
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 301/13

COUNCIL DECISION

of 4 November 2008

on the eligibility of central Asian countries under Decision 2006/1016/EC granting a Community guarantee to the European Investment Bank against losses under loans and loan guarantees for projects outside the Community

(2008/847/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 181a thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament,

Whereas:

(1) In accordance with Article 2 of Decision 2006/1016/EC (1), for countries listed in Annex I and marked with an asterisk (*) and for others not listed in Annex I, eligibility for European Investment Bank (EIB) financing under Community guarantee is decided by the Council on a case by case basis in accordance with the procedure provided for in Article 181a(2) of the Treaty.

(2) Annex I to Decision 2006/1016/EC includes five central Asian countries, namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, among the countries marked with an (*).

(3) In the EU Strategy for a new partnership with central Asia, adopted by the European Council in its meeting of 21 and 22 June 2007, it is highlighted that the EIB should play an important role in financing projects of interest to the EU in central Asia.

(4) Since the macroeconomic conditions prevailing in the central Asian countries, and in particular the situation regarding external finances and debt sustainability, have improved in recent years as a result of strong economic growth and prudent macroeconomic policies, those countries should be allowed access to financing from the EIB,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan shall be eligible for EIB financing under Community guarantee in accordance with Decision 2006/1016/EC.

Article 2

This Decision shall take effect on the third day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Brussels, 4 November 2008. For the Council The President C. LAGARDE

(1) OJ L 414, 30.12.2006, p. 95.
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 294/11

COMMISSION DECISION

of 22 October 2008

amending Decision 2007/716/EC as regards certain establishments in the meat and milk sectors in Bulgaria

(notified under document number C(2008) 6044)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2008/828/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to the Act of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania, and in particular Article 42 thereof,

Having regard to Council Directive 89/662/EEC of 11 December 1989 concerning veterinary checks in intra-Community trade with a view to the completion of the internal market (1), and in particular Article 9(4) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) Commission Decision 2007/716/EC (2) lays down transitional measures for structural requirements of certain establishments in the meat and milk sectors in Bulgaria provided for in Regulations (EC) No 852/2004 (3) and (EC) No 853/2004 (4) of the European Parliament and of the Council. As long as those establishments are in transition, products originating from them should only be placed on the domestic market or used for further processing in Bulgarian establishments in transition.

(2) Decision 2007/716/EC has been amended by Commission Decisions 2008/290/EC (5), 2008/330/EC (6), 2008/552/EC (7) and 2008/678/EC (8).

(3) According to an official declaration from the Bulgarian competent authority, certain establishments in the meat and milk sectors have ceased their activities or have completed their upgrading process and are now in full compliance with Community legislation. Those establishments should therefore be deleted from the list of establishments in transition.

(4) The Annex to Decision 2007/716/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The Annex to Decision 2007/716/EC is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Decision.

Article 2

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 22 October 2008. For the Commission Androulla VASSILIOU Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 395, 30.12.1989, p. 13.

(2) OJ L 289, 7.11.2007, p. 14.

(3) OJ L 139, 30.4.2004, p. 1. Corrected by OJ L 226, 25.6.2004, p. 3.

(4) OJ L 139, 30.4.2004, p. 55. Corrected by OJ L 226, 25.6.2004, p. 22.

(5) OJ L 96, 9.4.2008, p. 35.

(6) OJ L 114, 26.4.2008, p. 94.

(7) OJ L 178, 5.7.2008, p. 43.

(8) OJ L 221, 19.8.2008, p. 32.
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 22/20

COUNCIL DECISION

of 21 January 2008

regarding the position to be taken by the Community within the International Coffee Council on the designation of the Depository of the International Coffee Agreement 2007

(2008/75/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 133(1) to (4) in conjunction with Article 300(2), second subparagraph thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1) The International Coffee Council at its 98th session through Resolution 431 of 28 September 2007 has adopted the text of a new International Coffee Agreement 2007.

(2) The International Coffee Agreement of 2001 has been extended for one year from 1 October 2007 until 30th September 2008 by Resolution 432 of 28 September 2007.

(3) Under the provisions of Article 2(10) of the International Coffee Agreement of 2007, the future Depository of the Agreement shall be designated by decision of the Coffee Council under the current International Coffee Agreement of 2001. This decision has to be taken by consensus before the 31 January 2008.

(4) The fixing of the Depository is in the interest of the European Community.

(5) The European Community’s position in the International Coffee Council on this issue should be determined,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

The European Community’s position within the International Coffee Council shall be to vote in favour of the designation of the International Coffee Organisation as the Depository of the International Coffee Agreement 2007.
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 56/34

COMMISSION DECISION

of 22 February 2008

authorising methods for grading pig carcases in Romania

(notified under document number C(2008) 676)

(Only the Romanian text is authentic)

(2008/169/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3220/84 of 13 November 1984 determining the Community scale for grading pig carcases (1), and in particular Article 5(2) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) Under Article 2(3) of Regulation (EEC) No 3220/84, the grading of pig carcases is to be determined by estimating the lean meat content by means of statistically proven assessment methods based on the physical measurement of one or more anatomical parts of the pig carcase. The authorisation of grading methods is subject to compliance with a maximum tolerance for statistical error in assessment. This tolerance is defined in Article 3(2) of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2967/85 of 24 October 1985 laying down detailed rules for the application of the Community scale for grading pig carcases (2).

(2) Romania has asked the Commission to authorise two methods of grading pig carcases and has presented the results of its dissection trials in the second part of the protocol provided for in Article 3(3) of Regulation (EEC) No 2967/85.

(3) Examination of this request has revealed that the conditions for authorising these grading methods are fulfilled.

(4) No modification of the apparata or grading methods may be authorised except by means of a new Commission Decision adopted in the light of experience gained. For this reason, the present authorisation may be revoked.

(5) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Pigmeat,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The use of the following methods is hereby authorised for grading pig carcases pursuant to Regulation (EEC) No 3220/84 in Romania:

(a) the Fat-O-Meat’er (FOM) apparatus and the assessment methods related thereto, details of which are given in Part 1 of the Annex;

(b) the OptiGrade-Pro (OGP) apparatus and the assessment methods related thereto, details of which are given in Part 2 of the Annex.

Article 2

Modifications of the apparata or the assessment methods shall not be authorised.

Article 3

This Decision is addressed to Romania.

Done at Brussels, 22 February 2008. For the Commission Mariann FISCHER BOEL Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 301, 20.11.1984, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 3513/93 (OJ L 320, 22.12.1993, p. 5).

(2) OJ L 285, 25.10.1985, p. 39. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1197/2006 (OJ L 217, 8.8.2006, p. 6).
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 86/27

COUNCIL DECISION

of 25 February 2008

on the conclusion of a Second Additional Protocol to the Economic Partnership, Political Coordination and Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the United Mexican States, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union

(2008/271/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 57(2), 71, 80(2), 133(1), 133(5) and 181 in conjunction with the first subparagraph of Article 300(2) and the first subparagraph of Article 300(3) thereof,

Having regard to the 2005 Act of Accession, and in particular Article 6(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament,

Whereas:

(1) The Second Additional Protocol to the Economic Partnership, Political Coordination and Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the United Mexican States, of the other part, was signed on behalf of the European Community and its Member States on 21 February 2007.

(2) The Second Additional Protocol should be approved,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The Second Additional Protocol to the Economic Partnership, Political Coordination and Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the United Mexican States, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union, is hereby approved on behalf of the European Community and its Member States.

The text of the Second Additional Protocol is attached to this Decision (1).

Article 2

The President of the Council shall give the notification provided for in Article 5 of the Second Additional Protocol.

Done at Brussels, 25 February 2008. For the Council The President A. VIZJAK

(1) OJ L 141, 2.6.2007, p. 69.
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 146/12

COMMISSION DECISION

of 26 May 2008

authorising the placing on the market of alpha-cyclodextrin as a novel food ingredient under Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council

(notified under document number C(2008) 1954)

(Only the German text is authentic)

(2008/413/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 1997 concerning novel foods and novel food ingredients (1), and in particular Article 7 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) On 12 October 2004 the company Wacker Chemie made a request to the competent authorities of Belgium to place alpha-cyclodextrin on the market as a novel food ingredient.

(2) On 29 June 2005 the competent food assessment body of Belgium issued its initial assessment report. In that report it came to the conclusion that alpha-cyclodextrin is safe for human consumption.

(3) The Commission forwarded the initial assessment report to all Member States on 28 September 2005.

(4) Within the 60-day period laid down in Article 6(4) of Regulation (EC) No 258/97 reasoned objections to the marketing of the product were raised in accordance with that provision.

(5) Therefore the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was consulted on 28 October 2006.

(6) On 6 July 2007 EFSA adopted the ‘Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies on a request from the Commission related to the safety of alpha-cyclodextrin’.

(7) In the opinion the panel came to the conclusion that there are no safety concerns at the proposed use levels and anticipated consumption of alpha-cyclodextrin.

(8) On the basis of the scientific assessment, it is established that alpha-cyclodextrin complies with the criteria laid down in Article 3(1) of Regulation (EC) No 258/97.

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Alpha-cyclodextrin as specified in the Annex may be placed on the market in the Community as a novel food ingredient.

Article 2

The designation ‘alpha-cyclodextrin’ or ‘α-cyclodextrin’ shall be displayed in the list of ingredients of the foods containing it.

Article 3

This Decision is addressed to Wacker, Consortium für elektrochemische Chemie GmbH, Zielstattstrasse 20, D-81379 München.

Done at Brussels, 26 May 2008. For the Commission Androulla VASSILIOU Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 43, 14.2.1997, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1882/2003 (OJ L 284, 31.10.2003, p. 1).
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 149/78

COUNCIL DECISION

of 5 June 2008

on declassifying Annex 4 to the SIRENE Manual adopted by the Executive Committee established by the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement of 14 June 1985 (1990 Schengen Convention)

(2008/422/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 207, paragraph (3) thereof,

Whereas,

(1) By Decision 2003/19/EC of 14 October 2002 on declassifying certain parts of the SIRENE Manual adopted by the Executive Committee established by the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement of 14 June 1985 (1) the Council declassified certain parts of the SIRENE Manual and downgraded Section 2.3 of the SIRENE Manual as well as Annexes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 thereto to the classification level ‘Restreint UE’.

(2) The latest version of the SIRENE Manual as it appears in Commission Decisions 2006/757/EC (2) and 2006/758/EC (3) of 22 September 2006 on amending the SIRENE Manual does not contain a provision equivalent to Section 2.3 as it stood at the time of the adoption of Decision 2003/19/EC.

(3) By Decision 2007/473/EC of 25 June 2007 on declassifying certain parts of the SIRENE Manual adopted by the Executive Committee established by the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement of 14 June 1985 (4) the Council declassified Annexes 2 and 5 to the SIRENE Manual.

(4) The Council now considers it appropriate to declassify Annex 4 to the SIRENE Manual.

(5) The classification of Annexes 1, 3 and 6 to the SIRENE Manual should remain ‘Restreint UE’,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The Annex 4 to the SIRENE Manual shall be declassified.

Article 2

This Decision shall take effect on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Article 3

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Luxembourg, 5 June 2008. For the Council The President D. MATE

(1) OJ L 8, 14.1.2003, p. 34.

(2) OJ L 317, 16.11.2006, p. 1.

(3) OJ L 317, 16.11.2006, p. 41.

(4) OJ L 179, 7.7.2007, p. 52.