THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2771/75 of 29 October 1975 on the common organisation of the market in eggs, and in particular Article 6(1) thereof,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2783/75 of 29 October 1975 on the common system of trade for ovalbumin and lactalbumin, and in particular Article 4(1) thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
In the framework of the World Trade Organisation, the Community has undertaken to open tariff quotas for certain products in the egg sector and for egg albumin. As a result, detailed rules for the administration of those quotas should be laid down.
(2)
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 products and 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 licences should apply, save as otherwise provided for in this Regulation.
(3)
Commission Regulation (EC) No 593/2004 of 30 March 2004 opening and providing for the administration of the tariff quotas in the egg sector and for egg albumin must be substantially amended. Regulation (EC) No 593/2004 should therefore be repealed and replaced by a new regulation.
(4)
In order to ensure a regular flow of imports, the quota period from 1 July to 30 June of the following year should be subdivided into a number of subperiods. In any event, under Regulation (EC) No 1301/2006 licences are valid only up to and including the last day of the tariff quota period.
(5)
The administration of the tariff quotas should be based on import licences. To that end, detailed rules for the submission of applications and the information which must appear in applications and licences should be laid down.
(6)
In view of the risk of speculation inherent in the system in the egg sector and for egg albumin, clear conditions should be laid down as regards access for operators to the tariff quota scheme.
(7)
In order to ensure proper administration of the tariff quotas, the security for import licences should be set at EUR 20 per 100 kilograms.
(8)
In the interest of the operators, the Commission should establish the quantities that have not been applied for, which are to be carried over to the following subperiod in accordance with the second subparagraph of Article 7(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1301/2006.
(9)
The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Poultrymeat and Eggs,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: