Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1255/1999 of 17 May 1999 on the common organisation of the market in milk and milk products^f1, and in particular Article 31(14) thereof,

Whereas:

Article 6 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 174/1999 of 26 January 1999 laying down special detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EEC) No 804/68 as regards export licences and export refunds in the case of milk and milk products^f2 lays down the term of validity of export licences.

In order to take into account the potential impact of the accession of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia to the Community on 1 May 2004, on the Community milk market and the need to monitor developments in the Community and world markets, Commission Regulation (EC) No 606/2004^f3 provided for that, by way of derogation from Regulation (EC) No 174/1999, the term of validity of export licences for milk products for which an application has been lodged from 15 April 2004 on should be limited to 30 June 2004.

A close monitoring of both the internal and the world market since 1 May 2004 has shown that a longer validity period of the licences may be reestablished without any risk of destabilisation of the proper functioning of the common market organisation. It is therefore appropriate to repeal Regulation (EC) No 606/2004.

In light of a proper management of the GATT export commitments it is appropriate to adapt the export licence validity period for the groups of products concerned; taking account of the quantities remaining in the respective export quotas at the end of the GATT year and with a view on an optimal use of the available quantities.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Milk and Milk Products,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: