Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 26 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

On 20 December 1996, the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 2505/96^f1. Since Community demand for the products in question is to be met under the most favourable conditions, certain existing tariff quotas should be extended or adjusted, and some new Community tariff quotas should be opened at reduced or zero rates of duty for appropriate volumes, without disturbing the markets for these products.

Since the quota amount for one Community tariff quota is insufficient to meet the needs of the Community industry for the current quota period, it should be increased with effect from 1 January 2007.

It is no longer in the Community interest to continue to grant Community tariff quotas in 2007 for certain products on which duties were suspended in 2006. These products should therefore be removed from the table in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 2505/96.

In view of the many changes to be made, clarity requires Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 2505/96 to be replaced in its entirety.

Regulation (EC) No 2505/96 should therefore be amended accordingly.

In view of the economic importance of this Regulation, it is necessary to rely upon the grounds of urgency provided for in point I.3 of the Protocol on the role of national parliaments in the European Union annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaties establishing the European Community, the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Atomic Energy Community.

Since this Regulation is to apply from 1 January 2007, it should enter into force immediately,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: