Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/2001 of 19 June 2001 on the common organisation of the markets in the sugar sector^f1, and in particular Article 18(5) thereof,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 318/2006 of 20 February 2006 on the common organisation of the markets in the sugar sector^f2, and in particular Article 44(a) thereof,

Whereas:

Article 18(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1260/2001 provides that when the amount of the base levy or the amount of the B levy is less than the maximum amount referred to in Articles 15(3) and (4) of that Regulation, revised where necessary in accordance with paragraph 5 of that Article, sugar manufacturers must pay beet sellers 60 % of the difference between the maximum amount of the levy in question and the amount of the base levy or the B levy actually charged. Article 9(1) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 314/2002 of 20 February 2002 laying down detailed rules for the application of the quota system in the sugar sector^f3 which still applies to the production of the 2005/06 marketing year, provides that the aforementioned amounts to be paid shall be fixed at the same time as the production levies and in accordance with the same procedure.

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1296/2005^f4 of 5 August 2005 revising the maximum amount for the B production levy and amending the minimum price for B beet in the sugar sector for the 2005/06 marketing year increased the maximum amount of the B levy to 37,5 % of the intervention price for white sugar. Commission Regulation (EC) No 164/2007^f5 of 19 February 2007 fixing the amounts of production levies for the sugar sector for the 2005/06 marketing year fixed the base levy at 1,0022 % and did not fix a B levy. Due to these differences it is necessary, in accordance with Article 18(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1260/2001, to fix the amounts to be paid by sugar manufacturers to beet sellers per tonne of A and B standard quality beet.

The Management Committee for Sugar has not delivered an opinion within the time limit set by its Chairman,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: