Regulation (EEC) No 1073/68 of the Commission of 24 July 1968 laying down detailed rules for determining free-at-frontier prices and for fixing levies in respect of milk and milk products

REGULATION (EEC) No 1073/68 OF THE COMMISSION  of 24 July 1968  laying down detailed rules for determining free-at-frontier prices and for fixing levies in respect of milk and milk products
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community;
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 804/68 1 of 27 June 1968 on the common organisation of the market in milk and milk products, and in particular Articles 14 (7) and 35 thereof;
Whereas Article 44 (7) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 804/68 of 27 June 1968 provides that methods of determining free-at-frontier prices should be laid down ; whereas pursuant to Article 14 (4) of that Regulation a free-at-Community-frontier price is determined for each pilot product on the basis of the most favourable purchasing opportunities in international trade for the products of the related group, with the exception of assimilated products the levy on which is not equal to the levy on the related pilot product;
Whereas to this end the Commission must take account of all information obtained direct or through Member States ; whereas, so that free-at-frontier prices may be representative, certain information must be excluded from the calculation if it relates only to small quantities or unrepresentative prices;
Whereas, for reasons of comparison, free-at-frontier prices must be determined for products with the same characteristics as those for which the threshold prices are fixed, namely products of good marketable quality ; whereas, therefore, the prices of products which do not come up to these standards must be adjusted;
Whereas, in accordance with the second subparagraph of Article 14 (4) of Regulation (EEC) No 804/68, in the determination of free-at-frontier prices account must be taken of any differences between the product for which a price in recorded and the pilot product, in so far as they affect the marketing of the product in question ; whereas such differences relate, in particular, to the composition, quality, maturity and presentation of the products ; whereas differences of composition should be taken into account by reference to the price situation of the raw material in international trade ; whereas the other characteristics may be assessed in accordance with the value attributed to them in the Community;
Whereas information on prices may not be available for certain products ; whereas the free-at-frontier price should then be determined by means of a formula;
Whereas to prevent the Community market being disturbed by sudden substantial alterations in levies which do not reflect real movements of the market price there should be provision whereby the Commission, in certain circumstances, may exceptionally and for a limited period maintain a free-at-frontier price unchanged;
Whereas levies should be fixed at regular intervals bearing in mind the importance of price stability to trade and of the need to take account of price trends in international trade ; whereas, in general, a fortnightly fixing serves these ends;
Whereas application of Council Regulation (EEC) No 823/68 2 of 28 June 1968 determining groups of products and the special provisions for calculating levies on milk and milk products requires certain clarifications;
Whereas the system set up by Regulation (EEC) No 804/68 will apply from 29 July 1968 ; whereas for levies on products containing sugar the component representing the amount of added sugar must be  1OJ No L 148, 28.6.1968, p. 13. 2OJ No L 151, 30.6.1968, p. 3.
calculated on the basis of the levies applicable to white sugar during the first twenty days of the month preceding that during which the levy on the milk product applies ; whereas the system set up for sugar has only been applied since 1 July 1968 ; whereas, therefore, transitional provisions are needed for the first fixing of levies;
Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the Opinion of the Management Committee for Milk and Milk Products;