Commission Regulation (EC) No 251/2004

of 13 February 2004

fixing the maximum purchasing price for butter for the 88th invitation to tender carried out under the standing invitation to tender governed by Regulation (EC) No 2771/1999

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), and in particular Article 10 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) Article 13 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 2771/1999 of 16 December 1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1255/1999 as regards intervention on the market in butter and cream(2), provides that, in the light of the tenders received for each invitation to tender, a maximum buying-in price is to be fixed in relation to the intervention price applicable and that it may also be decided not to proceed with the invitation to tender.

(2) As a result of the tenders received, the maximum buying-in price should be fixed as set out below.

(3) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Milk and Milk Products,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

For the 88th invitation to tender issued under Regulation (EC) No 2771/1999, for which tenders had to be submitted not later than 10 February 2004, the maximum buying-in price is fixed at 295,38 EUR/100 kg.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 14 February 2004.

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

Done at Brussels, 13 February 2004.

For the Commission

Franz Fischler

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999, p. 48. Regulation as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 186/2004 (OJ L 29, 3.2.2004, p. 6).

(2) OJ L 333, 24.12.1999, p. 11. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 359/2003 (OJ L 53, 28.2.2003, p. 17).