THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1095/96 of 18 June 1996 on the implementation of the concessions set out in Schedule CXL drawn up in the wake of the conclusion of the GATT XXIV.6 negotiations
1, and in particular Article 1(1) thereof,
Whereas:
(1)Commission Regulation (EC) No 810/2008 of 11 August 2008 opening and providing for the administration of tariff quotas for high-quality fresh, chilled and frozen beef and for frozen buffalo meat
2 has been substantially amended several times
3. Since further amendments are to be made, that Regulation should be recast in the interests of clarity.
(2)The Union has undertaken, pursuant to the Agreement on agriculture concluded under the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations
4, to open tariff quotas for high-quality beef and frozen buffalo meat. Those quotas should be opened on a multiannual basis and detailed rules should be adopted for their application for 12-month periods starting on 1 July.
(3)The exporting third countries have undertaken to issue certificates of authenticity guaranteeing the origin of the products. The form and layout of the certificates and the procedures for using them should be specified. Certificates of authenticity should be issued by authorities in third countries affording all the necessary guarantees to ensure that the arrangements concerned are properly applied.
(4)The quota in question should be managed using import licences. To this end, rules should be laid down on submission of applications and the information to be given on applications and licences, by way of derogation, if necessary, from certain provisions of Commission Regulation (EC) No 376/2008 of 23 April 2008 laying down common detailed rules for the application of the system of import and export licences and advance fixing certificates for agricultural products
5, and of Commission Regulation (EC) No 382/2008 of 21 April 2008 on rules of application for import and export licences in the beef and veal sector
6.
(5)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
7 lays down detailed provisions on applications for import licences, the status of applicants and the issue of licences. That Regulation limits the period of validity of licences to the last day of the import tariff quota period. The provisions of Regulation (EC) No 1301/2006 should apply to import licences issued for the quota in question, without prejudice to additional conditions laid down in this Regulation.
(6)In order to ensure proper management of the imports of meat, provision should be made, where relevant, for import licences to be issued subject to verification, in particular of entries on certificates of authenticity.
(7)Experience has shown that importers do not always inform the competent authorities which issued the import licences of the quantity and origin of the beef imported under the quota in question. This information is important for the assessment of the market situation. A security should therefore be introduced to ensure that importers comply with this requirement.
(8)Commission Regulation (EC) No 792/2009 of 31 August 2009 laying down detailed rules for the Member States' notification to the Commission of information and documents in implementation of the common organisation of the markets, the direct payments′ regime, the promotion of agricultural products and the regimes applicable to the outermost regions and the smaller Aegean islands
8 lays down common rules for notifying information and documents by the competent authorities of the Member States to the Commission. Those rules cover in particular the obligation for the Member States to use the information systems made available by the Commission and the validation of the access rights of the authorities or individuals authorised to send notifications. In addition, that Regulation sets common principles applying to the information systems so that they guarantee the authenticity, integrity and legibility over time of the documents and provides for personal data protection.
(9)Pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 792/2009, the obligation to use the information systems in accordance with that Regulation has to be provided for in the Regulations establishing a specific notification obligation.
(10)The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: