Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92 of 30 June 1992 on the common organisation of the market in cereals^f1, and in particular Article 5 thereof,

Whereas:

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^f2 provides in particular that cereals held by intervention agencies are to be sold by tendering procedure at prices preventing market disturbance.

Germany still has intervention stocks of rye.

Because of the difficult weather conditions in much of the Community, cereal production has been significantly reduced in the 2003/04 marketing year. This situation has resulted in high prices locally, causing particular difficulties for livestock holdings and the feedingstuffs industry, which are finding it hard to obtain supplies at competitive prices.

It is therefore appropriate to make stocks of rye held by the German intervention agency available on the internal market. The period of presentation of the offers for the last partial invitation to tender under Regulation (EC) No 1510/2003^f3 having expired on 18 December 2003, it is advisable to open a new standing invitation to tender.

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.

When the German intervention agency notifies the Commission, the tenderers should remain anonymous.

With a view to modernising management, the information required by the Commission should be sent by electronic mail.

The Management Committee for Cereals has not issued an opinion by the time limit laid down by its Chairman,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: