Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 of 17 May 1999 on the common organisation of the market in wine^f1, and in particular Articles 53 and 80(b) thereof,

Whereas:

In case of a traditional practice governed by special provisions of the producer Member State, that Member State may, by way of derogation from the normal rule, by means of express authorisation and subject to suitable controls, permit that a quality wine produced in specified regions be obtained by adding to the basic product from which the wine is made one or more wine-sector products which do not originate in the specified region whose name the wine bears. In order to ensure that economic operators and competent authorities are not prejudiced by the expiry of this derogation provided for in Article 31(3) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 753/2002^f2, a new extension should be granted.

Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 753/2002 lists vine varieties and their synonyms that include a geographical indication and that may appear on the labelling of wines. That Annex has to be adapted by the appropriate terms that have been used by Romania.

Due to administrative burden, and in order to avoid any trade difficulties, this Regulation should apply from 1 July 2007.

Regulation (EC) No 753/2002 should therefore be amended accordingly.

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: