Commission Regulation (EC) No 1972/2001 of 9 October 2001 establishing a system of licences for the import of hazelnuts from Turkey

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1972/2001
of 9 October 2001
establishing a system of licences for the import of hazelnuts from Turkey
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 of 28 October 1996 on the common organisation of the market in fruit and vegetables(1), as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 911/2001(2), and in particular Article 31 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Article 31 of Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 provides for the possibility of establishing a system of licences for the import of the products referred to in Article 1(2) of that Regulation and lays down the procedure for adopting the rules for the application of such a system.
(2) The large harvest in Turkey in 2001, the stocks carried over from the previous harvest and the devaluation of the Turkish lira could have a serious impact on the Community market for hazelnuts.
(3) The Commission should introduce a system of import licences to provide speedy information on the quantities of hazelnuts imported. The rules governing the system must supplement or derogate from those laid down by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1291/2000 of 9 June 2000 laying down common detailed rules for the application of the system of import and export licences and advance fixing certificates for agricultural products(3). In particular, the security required before licences can be issued should be set at a level such as to prevent unfounded applications and the transfer of the licences.
(4) The Management Committee for fresh Fruit and Vegetables has not delivered an opinion within the time limit set by its chairman,