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 Articles 10, 15 and 31 thereof,

Whereas:

• Commission Regulation (EEC) No 429/90 of 20 February 1990 on the granting by invitation to tender of an aid for concentrated butter intended for direct consumption in the Community^f2,

• Commission Regulation (EC) No 2571/97 of 15 December 1997 on the sale of butter at reduced prices and the granting of aid for cream, butter and concentrated butter for use in the manufacture of pastry products, ice-cream and other foodstuffs^f3,

• Commission Regulation (EC) No 2771/1999 of 16 December 1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1255/1999 as regards intervention on the market in butter and cream^f4,

• Commission Regulation (EC) No 2799/1999 of 17 December 1999 laying down detailed rules for applying Regulation (EC) No 1255/1999 as regards the grant of aid for skimmed milk and skimmed-milk powder intended for animal feed and the sale of such skimmed-milk powder^f5,

• Commission Regulation (EC) No 214/2001 of 12 January 2001 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1255/1999 as regards intervention on the market in skimmed-milk powder^f6,

• Commission Regulation (EC) No 580/2004 of 26 March 2004 establishing a tender procedure concerning export refunds for certain milk products^f7,

• Commission Regulation (EC) No 581/2004 of 26 March 2004 opening a standing invitation to tender for export refunds concerning certain types of butter^f8, and

• Commission Regulation (EC) No 582/2004 of 26 March 2004 opening a standing invitation to tender for export refunds concerning skimmed milk powder^f9.

In order to ensure a smooth functioning of the tender systems, notably allowing the relevant competent authorities and the Commission services sufficient time to deal with the data related to each tender, it is appropriate to advance the time limits for the operators to lodge the bids and for competent authorities to communicate the data to the Commission.

In order to minimise the risk for speculation created by the anticipation of the submission of the bids in respect of the tender procedure as provided for in Regulations (EC) No 581/2004 and (EC) No 582/2004, prefixation of export refunds as provided for in Commission Regulation (EC) No 174/1999 of 26 January 1999 laying down special detailed rules for application of Council Regulation (EEC) No 804/68 as regards export licences and export refunds in the case of milk and milk products^f10 should not be possible after the closing date for submission of tenders.

Regulations (EEC) No 429/90, (EC) No 2571/97, (EC) No 174/1999, (EC) No 2771/1999, (EC) No 2799/1999, (EC) No 214/2001, (EC) No 580/2004, (EC) No 581/2004 and (EC) No 582/2004 should therefore be amended accordingly.

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: