Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1260/2014 of 25 November 2014 fixing a flat-rate reduction for the import duty for sorghum in Spain imported from third countries
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1260/2014of 25 November 2014fixing a flat-rate reduction for the import duty for sorghum in Spain imported from third countriesTHE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,Having regard to Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) No 922/72, (EEC) No 234/79, (EC) No 1037/2001 and (EC) No 1234/2007OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 671., and in particular Article 180 thereof,Whereas:(1)Within the context of the agreements made under the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiationsOJ L 336, 23.12.1994, p. 22., the Union has committed to allowing Spain to import the amount of 300 tonnes of sorghum per year.(2)Between 1 January 2014 and 15 July 2014, the period during which the import duty for sorghum was set at EUR 0 per tonne, in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) No 642/2010Commission Regulation (EC) No 642/2010 of 20 July 2010 on rules of application (cereal sector import duties) for Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 (OJ L 187, 21.7.2010, p. 5)., 41580 tonnes of sorghum were imported into Spain. Since 16 July 2014, and following the reintroduction of an import duty of more than zero for sorghum in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 642/2010, no sorghum has been imported into Spain.(3)In accordance with Article 6 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1296/2008Commission Regulation (EC) No 1296/2008 of 18 December 2008 laying down detailed rules for the application of tariff quotas for imports of maize and sorghum into Spain and imports of maize into Portugal (OJ L 340, 19.12.2008, p. 57)., a reduction may be applied to the import duty fixed in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 642/2010 in order to ensure that import quotas are fully used.(4)Bearing in mind the conditions of the sorghum market, particularly the fact that the price of sorghum on the global market is significantly higher than that of maize, it is necessary to apply a flat-rate reduction of 100 % of the import duty fixed in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 642/2010.(5)The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee for the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets,HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: