COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 947/98 of 5 May 1998 amending Regulation (EC) No 1556/96 introducing a system of import licences for certain fruit and vegetables imported from third countries

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 of 28 October 1996 on the common organisation of the market in fruit and vegetables (1), as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2520/97 (2), and in particular Article 31(2) thereof,

Whereas Regulation (EC) No 1556/96 (3), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 855/98 (4), introduced a system of import licences for certain fruit and vegetables imported from third countries and set the list of products covered;

Whereas examination of the market situation for these products indicates that the list should be amended by abolishing the licence requirement for tomatoes, cherries and apples;

Whereas the period for apples is 1 May to 30 June; whereas if that requirement is abolished by this Regulation it will be necessary to make this Regulation applicable from 1 May 1998;

Whereas the Management Committee for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables has not delivered an opinion within the time limit set by its Chairman,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1556/96 is replaced by the Annex hereto.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

It shall apply with effect from 1 May 1998.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 5 May 1998.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 297, 21. 11. 1996, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 346, 17. 12. 1997, p. 41.

(3) OJ L 193, 3. 8. 1996, p. 5.

(4) OJ L 122, 24. 4. 1998, p. 9.

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