Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 of 28 October 1996 on the common organisation of the market in fruit and vegetables^f1,

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1301/2006 of 31 August 2006 laying down common rules for the administration of import tariff quotas for agricultural products managed by a system of import licences^f2, and in particular Article 7(2) thereof,

Whereas:

Commission Regulation (EC) No 341/2007^f3 opens and provides for the administration of tariff quotas and introduces a system of import licences and certificates of origin for garlic and other agricultural products imported from third countries.

The quantities for which ‘A’ licence applications have been lodged by traditional importers and by new importers during the first five working days of April 2007, pursuant to Article 10(1) of Regulation (EC) No 341/2007 exceed the quantities available for products originating in China and all third countries other than China and Argentina.

Therefore, in accordance with Article 7(2) of Regulation (EC) No 341/2007, it is now necessary to establish the extent to which the ‘A’ licence applications sent to the Commission by 15 April 2007 in accordance with Article 12 of that Regulation can be met,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: