Commission Regulation (EC) No 291/2004

of 19 February 2004

fixing the maximum export refund for white sugar to certain third countries for the 21st partial invitation to tender issued within the framework of the standing invitation to tender provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1290/2003

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/2001 of 19 June 2001 on the common organisation of the markets in the sugar sector(1), and in particular Article 27(5) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) Commission Regulation (EC) No 1290/2003 of 18 July 2003 on a standing invitation to tender to determine levies and/or refunds on exports of white sugar(2), for the 2003/2004 marketing year, requires partial invitations to tender to be issued for the export of this sugar to certain third countries.

(2) Pursuant to Article 9(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1290/2003 a maximum export refund shall be fixed, as the case may be, account being taken in particular of the state and foreseeable development of the Community and world markets in sugar, for the partial invitation to tender in question.

(3) Following an examination of the tenders submitted in response to the 21st partial invitation to tender, the provisions set out in Article 1 should be adopted.

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

For the 21st partial invitation to tender for white sugar issued pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1290/2003 the maximum amount of the export refund to certain third countries is fixed at 52,427 EUR/100 kg.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 20 February 2004.

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

Done at Brussels, 19 February 2004.

For the Commission

Franz Fischler

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 178, 30.6.2001, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 39/2004 (OJ L 6, 10.1.2004, p. 16).

(2) OJ L 181, 19.7.2003, p. 7.