Commission Regulation (EC) No 109/96 of 24 January 1996 on arrangements for the import of grape juice and must from third countries

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 109/96 of 24 January 1996 on arrangements for the import of grape juice and must from third countries
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 822/87 of 16 March 1987 on the common organization of the market in wine (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1544/95 (2), and in particular Articles 53 (3) and 75 thereof,
Whereas steps should be taken to help supply the market by means of imports into the Community of grape musts from third countries taking into account the actual availability of this product on the Community market;
Whereas the arrangements for the import of grape must from third countries were fundamentally amended by the entry into force on 1 September 1995 of measures providing for the payment of the normal customs duty plus, in certain cases, specific duty;
Whereas the combination of these two factors justifies the adoption of a market measure, valid for the rest of the current marketing year, to exempt imports of grape must from payment of that specific duty up to a quantity reflecting traditional trade in that product and fulfilling the supply needs of the Community market;
Whereas use of and compliance with that quantity should be controlled by means of a system of import licences; whereas detailed rules should therefore be laid down regarding the submission of applications and the issue of licences;
Whereas, furthermore, it should be laid down that decisions on import licence applications should be notified after a period for deliberation; whereas that period must permit the Commission to assess the quantities applied for and, where appropriate, lay down special measures with regard, in particular, to applications pending;
Whereas the facilities for the import of the grape must in question must be offered in accordance with the rules on the use of such imported products laid down by Regulation (EEC) No 822/87; whereas, in order to ensure that the arrangements function smoothly, provision should be made for the lodging of a security with the customs authorities of the Member States which should be immediately released pro rata the quantities for which proof of use is provided;
Whereas each Member State may provide for checks on use in accordance with a national procedure pursuant to Article 487 of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 of 2 July 1993 laying down provisions for the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs Code (3), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1762/95 (4), provided that the goods do not leave its territory before the final use; whereas, where the goods are used in a Member State other than the Member State of import, those checks should be carried out in accordance with the relevant provisions of Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93;
Whereas, in order to administer the arrangements, the Commission requires accurate information on the licence applications submitted and the use of the licences issued; whereas, in the interests of administrative efficiency, the use of a single model for communications between the Member States and the Commission should be provided for;
Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Wine,