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(14) thereof,

Whereas:

Article 6 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 174/1999 of 26 January 1999 laying down special detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EEC) No 804/68 as regards export licences and export refunds in the case of milk and milk products^f2 lays down the terms of validity of export licences.

The reductions of the intervention prices for butter and skimmed milk powder as from 1 July 2005 are likely to lead to lower prices on the market for dairy products in the marketing year 2005/2006.

As a precautionary measure, with a view to protect the Community budget from unnecessary expenditures and to avoid a speculative application of the export refund regime in the dairy sector, the validity of export licences with advance fixing of the refund should be limited until 30 June 2005.

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: