Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2759/75 of 29 October 1975 on the common organisation of the market in pigmeat^f1, and in particular Article 8(2) and Article 11(1) thereof,

Whereas:

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1458/2003^f2 provides for the opening and administration of a tariff quota in the pigmeat sector.

The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the United States of America pursuant to Article XXIV:6 and Article XXVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994^f3, approved by Council Decision 2006/333/EC^f4 provides for an increase of the annual import tariff quota of pigmeat, erga omnes, of 1 430 tonnes of pigmeat.

The reference to be shown in the import licence applications should be mentioned in the different languages of the Community.

In view of the possible accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union as from 1 January 2007, it is advisable to provide for a different period for lodging the licence applications for the first quarter of the year 2007.

Regulation (EC) No 1458/2003 should be amended accordingly.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Pigmeat,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: