THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 of 12 October 1992 establishing the Community Customs Code, and in particular Article 247 thereof,
Having regard to Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 of 2 July 1993 laying down provisions for the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs Code, and in particular Article 76 thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
By Commission Regulation (EC) No 815/2008 Cape Verde was granted a derogation from the rules of origin laid down in Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 allowing it to consider as originating in Cape Verde certain fishery products produced in Cape Verde from non-originating fish. That derogation is due to expire on 31 December 2010.
(2)
By letter dated 21 December 2009 Cape Verde submitted a request for an increase in the quantities granted for 2010 in respect of two of the three categories of fishery products covered by Regulation (EC) No 815/2008. By letter dated 8 June 2010, it submitted complementary information in support of this request.
(3)
The request set out that the originally granted total quantities for 2010 should respectively be increased to 3 600 tonnes for prepared or preserved mackerel fillets and 1 500 tonnes for prepared or preserved frigate tuna or frigate mackerel.
(4)
The total annual quantities originally granted have contributed, in 2008 and 2009, to a significant extent to the improvement of the situation in the fishery processing sector and, to a certain extent, to the revitalisation of Cape Verde’s artisanal fleet, which is of vital importance for that country. However, it appears that the completion of the envisaged revitalisation of the Cape Verdean fleet to the planned levels was affected by certain economic and geographical circumstances and thus further investments are needed.
(5)
The request demonstrates that in the absence of an increase of the quantities that may be traded under the derogation, the ability of the Cape Verdean fishing processing industry to continue its export to the European Union would be significantly affected, which might deter the further necessary investments.
(6)
An increase of the quantities of goods that may be traded under the derogation is therefore required to ensure that the revitalisation efforts of the local fishing fleet continue and thus improve its ability to supply the local fishery processing sector with originating fish.
(7)
The existing quotas are expected to be exhausted for the two categories of products concerned far before the end of 2010, which further justifies the need for an increase in the quantities granted for 2010. However, it does not appear appropriate to fully meet the amounts requested. In particular, account should be taken of the fact that there are already significant sourcing possibilities in originating fish as supplies from local vessels and bilateral cumulation can be used.
(8)
The quantities of the derogation for 2010 should therefore be raised to 2 500 tonnes for prepared or preserved mackerel fillets and to 875 tonnes for prepared or preserved frigate tuna or frigate mackerel fillets, which quantities are considered to be sufficient to allow the processing industry of Cape Verde to continue its exports to the European Union and support the efforts of the local authorities in ensuring that the revitalisation efforts of the local fishing fleet continue successfully.
(9)
Regulation (EC) No 815/2008 should therefore be amended accordingly.
(10)
The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Customs Code Committee,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: