Commission Regulation (EC) No 348/2002 of 25 February 2002 derogating from Regulation (EC) No 174/1999 laying down special detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EEC) No 804/68 as regards export licences and export refunds in the case of milk and milk products and from Regulation (EC) No 800/1999 laying down common detailed rules for the application of the system of export refunds on agricultural products

Commission Regulation (EC) No 348/2002
of 25 February 2002
derogating from Regulation (EC) No 174/1999 laying down special detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EEC) No 804/68 as regards export licences and export refunds in the case of milk and milk products and from Regulation (EC) No 800/1999 laying down common detailed rules for the application of the system of export refunds on agricultural products
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1255/1999 of 17 May 1999 on the common organisation of the market in milk and milk products(1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1670/2000(2), and in particular Article 31(14) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Article 6 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 174/1999(3), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 156/2002(4), determines the term of validity of export licences. Article 18(3) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 800/1999(5), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2299/2001(6), determines the rate of refund to be applied where the destination marked on the licence is not observed.
(2) Negotiations are under way between the European Union and Estonia on the liberalisation of trade. These negotiations relate to concessions to apply from 1 July 2002. In order to avoid disrupting trade with Estonia and without prejudice to the application of the concessions on the planned date, the term of validity of the licences should be limited and the necessary measures should be taken to prevent licences issued for other third countries from being used for exports to Estonia after 30 June.
(3) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Milk and Milk Products,