COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1365/98 of 26 June 1998 fixing the basic price and the standard quality for pig carcases for the period 1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2759/75 of 29 October 1975 on the common organisation of the market in pigmeat (1), and in particular Article 4(4) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (2),

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (3),

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (4),

Whereas, when the basic price for slaughtered pigs is fixed, account should be taken of the objectives of the common agricultural policy; whereas the objectives of the common agricultural policy are in particular to ensure a fair standard of living for the agricultural community, to ensure that supplies are available and that they reach consumers at reasonable prices;

Whereas the basic price must be fixed in accordance with the criteria laid down in Article 4(1) of Regulation (EEC) No 2759/75 for a standard quality defined by reference to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3220/84 of 13 November 1984 determining the Community scale for grading pig carcases (5),

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

For the period 1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999, the basic price for slaughtered pigs of the standard quality shall be ECU 1 509,39 per tonne.

Article 2

The standard quality shall be defined in terms of carcase weight and lean meat content, determined in accordance with Article 2(2) and (3) of Regulation (EEC) No 3220/84, as follows:

(a) carcases weighing 60 to less than 120 kg: grade E;

(b) carcases weighing 120 to 180 kg: grade R.

Article 3

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

It shall apply from 1 July 1998.

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

Done at Luxembourg, 26 June 1998.

For the Council

The President

J. CUNNINGHAM

(1) OJ L 282, 1. 11. 1975, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 3290/94 (OJ L 349, 31. 12. 1994, p. 105) and by the 1994 Act of Accession.

(2) OJ C 87, 23. 3. 1998, p. 26.

(3) Opinion delivered on 16 June 1998 (not yet published in the Official Journal).

(4) Opinion delivered on 29 April 1998 (not yet published in the Official Journal).

(5) OJ L 301, 20. 11. 1984, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 3513/93 (OJ L 320, 22. 12. 1993, p. 5).