Commission Regulation (EC) No 725/2003

of 24 April 2003

fixing the maximum reduction in the duty on maize imported in connection with the invitation to tender issued in Regulation (EC) No 581/2003

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92 of 30 June 1992 on the common organisation of the market in cereals(1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1666/2000(2), and in particular Article 12(1) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) An invitation to tender for the maximum reduction in the duty on maize imported into Portugal from third countries was opened pursuant to Commission Regulation (EC) No 581/2003(3).

(2) Pursuant to Article 5 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1839/95(4), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2235/2000(5), the Commission, acting under the procedure laid down in Article 23 of Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92, may decide to fix maximum reduction in the import duty. In fixing this maximum the criteria provided for in Articles 6 and 7 of Regulation (EC) No 1839/95 must be taken into account. A contract is awarded to any tenderer whose tender is equal to or less than the maximum reduction in the duty.

(3) The application of the abovementioned criteria to the current market situation for the cereal in question results in the maximum reduction in the import duty being fixed at the amount specified in Article 1.

(4) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Cereals,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

For tenders notified from 18 to 24 April 2003, pursuant to the invitation to tender issued in Regulation (EC) No 581/2003, the maximum reduction in the duty on maize imported shall be 39,98 EUR/t and be valid for a total maximum quantity of 70253 t.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 25 April 2003.

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

Done at Brussels, 24 April 2003.

For the Commission

Franz Fischler

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 181, 1.7.1992, p. 21.

(2) OJ L 193, 29.7.2000, p. 1.

(3) OJ L 83, 1.4.2003, p. 36.

(4) OJ L 177, 28.7.1995, p. 4.

(5) OJ L 256, 10.10.2000, p. 13.