THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 of 22 October 2007 establishing a common organisation of agricultural markets and on specific provisions for certain agricultural products (‘Single CMO’ Regulation), and in particular Article 144(1) in conjunction with Article 4 thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
In accordance with the Community's international obligations within the framework of the Uruguay Round multilateral negotiations, the Community undertook to import a certain quantity of maize into Portugal.
(2)
Chapter II of Commission 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 laid down the specific detailed rules necessary for applying a reduction to the import duties to ensure that the quantities provided for in Article 1(1) and (2) of that Regulation are actually imported.
(3)
In view of the market conditions in Portugal for the year 2010, an invitation to tender for the reduction in the import duty on maize should be opened to ensure the import quota is completely used.
(4)
Commission Regulation (EC) No 677/2009 opened an invitation to tender for the reduction in the duty on maize imported into Portugal from third countries up until 17 December 2009. This invitation was extended until 27 May 2010 by Commission Regulation (EU) No 1292/2009. Regulation (EC) No 677/2009 should therefore be repealed.
(5)
The Management Committee for the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets has not delivered an opinion within the time limit set by its Chair,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: