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(3)(b) and (14) thereof,

Whereas:

According to Article 1(1) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 581/2004^f2 and to Article 1(1) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 582/2004^f3, certain destinations are excluded from the granting of an export refund.

Commission Regulation (EC) No 909/2005 of 16 June 2005 fixing the export refunds for milk and milk products^f4 has included Ceuta and Melilla, as from 17 June 2005, under the destination zones L 01 and L 03, listing the destinations not eligible for export refunds and has aligned the refund rate for butter applied to Russia to the rate applicable for all other destinations. It is therefore necessary to exclude these destinations from the export refunds fixed under Regulations (EC) No 581/2004 and (EC) No 582/2004.

Regulations (EC) No 581/2004 and (EC) No 582/2004 should 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: