Commission Regulation (EC) No 1001/98 of 13 May 1998 amending Regulation (EEC) No 536/93 laying down detailed rules on the application of the additional levy on milk and milk products

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1001/98 of 13 May 1998 amending Regulation (EEC) No 536/93 laying down detailed rules on the application of the additional levy on milk and milk products
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3950/92 of 28 December 1992 establishing an additional levy in the milk and milk products sector (1), as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 903/98 (2), and in particular Article 11 thereof,
Whereas Article 3(2) of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 536/93 of 9 March 1993 laying down detailed rules on the application of the additional levy on milk and milk products (3), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2186/96 (4), provides for a penalty if purchasers do not observe the time limit for communication of the information on the deliveries referred to in that paragraph;
Whereas the basis for the proper administration of the milk quota arrangements is the strict observance of a precise timetable; whereas two particular dates in that timetable are 14 May, the time limit for the declaration by purchasers to the Member State's competent authority of collection information, and 31 August, the time limit for payment by purchasers to the competent body of the levy due from them;
Whereas the information which purchasers need to be able to forward collection information before 15 May is already in their possession in April;
Whereas non-observance of the time limit of 14 May by purchasers is likely to hamper the competent authorities in their task of completing the calculation work necessary to determine quota overruns and sums due; whereas the more a purchaser delays communication of the information, the more serious are the consequences for the competent authorities which have to ensure payment of the levy before the time limit;
Whereas experience shows that to make the penalty more effective and to ensure that the size of the penalty is in proportion to the seriousness of the offence, the penalty applicable where the delay exceeds 15 days should be increased and provision should be made for increasing penalties for additional delays;
Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Milk and Milk Products,