Commission Regulation (EC) No 573/1999 of 16 March 1999 amending Regulation (EC) No 2486/98 introducing preventive distillation as provided for in Article 38 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 822/87 for the 1998/99 wine year

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 573/1999 of 16 March 1999 amending Regulation (EC) No 2486/98 introducing preventive distillation as provided for in Article 38 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 822/87 for the 1998/99 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 organisation of the market in wine (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1627/98 (2), and in particular Article 38(5) thereof,
Whereas Commission Regulation (EC) No 2486/98 (3), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 520/1999 (4), introduces preventive distillation as provided for in Article 38 of Regulation (EEC) No 822/87;
Whereas, after the final date for the submission of contracts, it was found that there were still limited quantities of wine unsuitable for the market but adversely affecting it in the Charentes region of France as a result of the continuing crisis in the cognac sector and in Italy; whereas, under the circumstances, those wines should be withdrawn from the market by reintroducing preventive distillation for a limited volume with a view to improving the quality of the wines that should remain on the market;
Whereas, where the overall volume exceeds the quantities provided for, Member States must apply a single rate of reduction to all new contracts submitted;
Whereas, with a view to the sound management of the quantities in question, it is necessary to derogate from certain provisions of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2721/88 of 31 August 1988 laying down detailed rules for voluntary distillation as provided for in Articles 38, 41 and 42 of Regulation (EEC) No 822/87 (5), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 2181/91 (6), and to provide that the quantities applied for in the contracts and declarations may be reduced;
Whereas, to improve the effectiveness of the measure, distillation should take place over a short timescale and the Member States should be permitted to impose more restrictive measures, in particular the introduction of a security to accompany the submission of the contract or declaration;
Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Wine,