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 10 thereof,

Whereas:

Pursuant to Article 7(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1255/1999 skimmed-milk powder bought in by the intervention agency is to be disposed of at a minimum price and under conditions to be determined so as to avoid disturbing the balance on the market and to ensure purchasers equal treatment and access to the skimmed-milk powder to be sold.

Commission Regulation (EC) No 214/2001^f2 laid down intervention measures for the disposal of skimmed-milk powder, including its sale at a fixed price.

To ensure the proper management of intervention stocks, the skimmed-milk powder must be resold as soon as outlets become available. To this end, the system of sale of skimmed-milk powder from intervention stocks at a fixed price should be replaced by a system of sale by invitation to tender which allows the selling price to be fixed in accordance with market conditions.

Experience has shown that the Member States must notify the Commission more rapidly if it is to be in a position to follow the evolution in the quantities of skimmed-milk powder offered for public intervention and, where appropriate, to suspend intervention buying-in once the quantities offered reach the level fixed by Article 7(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1255/1999.

Regulation (EC) No 214/2001 should therefore be amended.

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: