THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1784/2003 of 29 September 2003 on the common organisation of the market in cereals, and in particular Article 6 thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2131/93 of 28 July 1993 laying down the procedure and conditions for the sale of cereals held by intervention agencies, provides in particular that cereals held by intervention agencies are to be sold by tendering procedure at prices preventing market disturbance.
(2)
Because of unfavourable weather conditions on the Iberian Peninsula, maize prices on the Community market are relatively high, causing supply difficulties at competitive prices for growers and the livestock feed industry alike.
(3)
Austria has intervention stocks of maize, which should be used up.
(4)
It is therefore appropriate to make the stocks of maize held by the Austrian intervention agency available on the internal market.
(5)
To take account of the situation on the Community market, provision should be made for the Commission to manage this invitation to tender. In addition, provision must be made for an award coefficient for tenders offering the minimum selling price.
(6)
It is also important for the Austrian intervention agency’s notification to the Commission to maintain the anonymity of the tenderers.
(7)
With a view to modernising management, the information required by the Commission should be sent by electronic mail.
(8)
The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Cereals,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: