Commission Regulation (EC) No 1483/96 of 26 July 1996 amending Regulation (EC) No 2402/95 introducing preventive distillation as provided for in Article 38 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 822/87 for the 1995/96 wine year

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1483/96 of 26 July 1996 amending Regulation (EC) No 2402/95 introducing preventive distillation as provided for in Article 38 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 822/87 for the 1995/96 wine year
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 Article 38 (5) thereof,
Whereas Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2721/88 (3), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 2181/91 (4), lays down detailed rules for voluntary distillation as provided for in Articles 38, 41 and 42 of Regulation (EEC) No 822/87; whereas Commission Regulation (EC) No 1848/95 (5) fixes the prices, aid and certain other amounts applicable to preventive distillation for the 1995/96 wine year;
Whereas Commission Regulation (EC) No 2402/95 (6), as amended by Regulation (EC) No 2791/95 (7), introduced preventive distillation for the 1995/96 wine year; whereas the final date for signing distillation contracts was 27 December 1995; whereas the final date for the delivery to the distillery of the wine concerned was 15 May 1996;
Whereas the volume of table wine which could be distilled under this measure was fixed at 6 300 000 hl by the abovementioned Regulation but only around 1 900 000 hl of wine has actually been distilled under contract;
Whereas the current situation on the market for table wines, with high stocks at the end of the wine year and a reduction in prices on certain markets, is adversely affecting producers' incomes; whereas a volume of the products concerned should be removed from the market by re-opening preventive distillation, for the unused volume of 2 700 000 hl, reserved for table wines with a view, in addition, to improving the quality of products on the market;
Whereas, if the overall quantity applied for per region exceeds the quantities provided for, the Member States must apply a single reduction rate for all new contracts submitted;
Whereas, for the proper administration of the quantities in question, it is necessary to derogate from certain provisions of Regulation (EEC) No 2721/81 and to lay down that the quantities applied for in the contracts and declarations may be reduced;
Whereas, in order to increase the effectiveness of this measure, it is necessary to concentrate distillation in a short period and to permit the Member States to impose stricter measures and, in particular, to provide for the lodging of a security when contracts and declarations are submitted;
Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Wine,