Commission Regulation (EC) No 1885/2006 of 19 December 2006 opening and providing for the administration of a Community tariff quota for 2007 for manioc originating in Thailand
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1885/2006of 19 December 2006opening and providing for the administration of a Community tariff quota for 2007 for manioc originating in ThailandTHE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1095/96 of 18 June 1996 on the implementation of the concessions set out in Schedule CXL drawn up in the wake of the conclusion of the GATT XXIV.6 negotiationsOJ L 146, 20.6.1996, p. 1., and in particular Article 1(1) thereof,Whereas:(1)During the World Trade Organisation multilateral trade negotiations, the Community undertook to open a tariff quota restricted to 21 million tonnes of products falling within CN codes 07141010, 07141091 and 07141099 originating in Thailand per four-year period, with customs duty reduced to 6 %. This quota must be opened and administered by the Commission.(2)It is necessary to keep an administration system which ensures that only products originating in Thailand may be imported under the quota. The issue of an import licence should therefore continue to be subject to the presentation of an export certificate issued by the Thai authorities, based on the model notified to the Commission by Thailand.(3)Since imports to the Community market of the products concerned have traditionally been administered on the basis of a calendar year, this system should be retained. A quota must therefore be opened for 2007.(4)The import of products covered by CN codes 07141010, 07141091 and 07141099 is subject to the presentation of an import licence in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 1291/2000 of 9 June 2000 laying down common detailed rules for the application of the system of import and export licences and advance fixing certificates for agricultural productsOJ L 152, 24.6.2000, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1713/2006 (OJ L 321, 21.11.2006, p. 11)., and with Commission Regulation (EC) No 1342/2003 of 28 July 2003 laying down special detailed rules for the application of the system of import and export licences for cereals and riceOJ L 189, 29.7.2003, p. 12. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1713/2006..(5)Commission Regulation (EC) No 1301/2006 of 31 August 2006 laying down common rules for the administration of import tariff quotas for agricultural products managed by a system of import licencesOJ L 238, 1.9.2006, p. 13. applies to import licences for tariff quota periods starting from 1 January 2007. Regulation (EC) No 1301/2006 lays down in particular detailed rules for applications for import licences, the status of applicants and the issue of licences. It limits the period of validity of import licences to the final day of the tariff quota period and applies without prejudice to additional conditions or derogations laid down by the sectoral regulations.(6)In the light of past experience and taking into account that the Community concession provides for an overall quantity of 21000000 tonnes over four years with an annual maximum of 5500000 tonnes, it is advisable to maintain measures which, under certain conditions, either facilitate the release for free circulation of quantities of products exceeding those given in the import licences, or allow the difference between the figure given in the import licences and the smaller figure actually imported to be carried forward.(7)In order to ensure the correct application of the agreement, a system of strict and systematic controls is needed that take account of the information given on the Thai export certificates and the Thai authorities’ procedures for issuing export certificates.(8)Where the quantities requested exceed the quantities available, a mechanism should be provided for reducing the quantities in order not to exceed the annual maximum laid down.(9)The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Cereals,HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: