Article 2

Applications for import rights under the quota provided for in Article 1 may only be submitted by applicants which are natural or legal persons. Applicants must prove to the satisfaction of the competent authorities of the Member State concerned, at the time they submit their applications, that they have imported at least 50 animals covered by CN code 0102 90 during the year previous to the annual quota period in question.

Applicants must be listed in a national VAT register.

Proof of import shall be furnished exclusively by means of the customs document of release for free circulation, duly endorsed by the customs authorities and containing a reference to the applicant concerned as being the consignee.

Member States may accept copies of the documents referred to in the first subparagraph, duly certified by the competent authority. Where such copies are accepted, notification hereof shall be made in the communication from Member States referred to in Article 3(5) in respect of each applicant concerned.

Operators who at 1 January previous to the annual quota period in question have ceased their activities in trade with third countries in the beef and veal sector shall not qualify for any allocation.

A company formed by the merger of companies each having reference imports complying with the minimum quantity referred to in paragraph 1 may use those reference imports as a basis for its application.