Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/2001 of 19 June 2001 on the common organisation of the markets in the sugar sector^f1, and in particular the first indent of Article 15(8) thereof,

Whereas:

Article 8 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 314/2002 of 20 February 2002 laying down detailed rules for the application of the quota system in the sugar sector^f2, provides that the basic production levy and the B levy together with, if required, the coefficient referred to in Article 16(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1260/2001 for sugar, isoglucose and inulin syrup are to be set before 15 October in respect of the previous marketing year.

For the 2003/04 marketing year, the estimate of the overall loss recorded in accordance with Article 15(1) and (2) of Regulation (EC) No 1260/2001 requires, in accordance with paragraphs 3 and 4 of that Article, the adoption of 2 % for the basic levy and 27,050 % for the B levy.

The overall loss recorded on the basis of known data and in accordance with Article 15(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1260/2001 is covered in its entirety by the receipts from the basic production levy and the B levy. As a result, there is no need to set the coefficient referred to in Article 16(2) of that Regulation for the 2003/04 marketing year.

The Management Committee for Sugar has not delivered an opinion within the time limit set by its chairman,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: