Commission Regulation (EC) No 2731/1999 of 21 December 1999 amending Regulation (EC) No 2603/97 laying down the detailed implementing rules for imports of rice originating in the ACP countries or the overseas countries and territories (OCT)

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2731/1999
of 21 December 1999
amending Regulation (EC) No 2603/97 laying down the detailed implementing rules for imports of rice originating in the ACP countries or the overseas countries and territories (OCT)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Decision 91/482/EEC of 25 July 1991 on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Economic Community(1), as last amended by Decision 97/803/EC(2), and in particular Article 108a(5) thereof,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1706/98 of 20 July 1998 on the arrangements applicable to agricultural products and goods resulting from the processing of agricultural products originating in the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP) and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 715/90(3), and in particular Article 30(1) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Commission Regulation (EC) No 2603/97(4), as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1595/98(5), lays down the detailed implementing rules for the annual import of 160000 tonnes of rice in husked rice equivalent originating in the ACP countries or the overseas countries and territories (OCTs). Experience has shown that the applications submitted for each tranche relate to a total quantity far exceeding that available and thus result in the issue of licences for reduced quantities. There are therefore grounds for tightening up the conditions under which applications are submitted so that they are submitted by operators who are commercially engaged in the import or export of rice. The amount of the security in respect of the licence should also be increased.
(2) Article 9(3) of Regulation (EC) No 2603/97 allows operators to withdraw applications for licences where a reduction percentage is applied. In the light of experience, there are grounds for limiting withdrawal of applications to cases where the application of a reduction percentage would result in the issue of an import licence for a quantity that is not economically viable.
(3) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for cereals,