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 Article 33 thereof,

Whereas:

Articles 45, 59 and 61 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1623/2000 of 25 July 2000 laying down detailed rules for implementing Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 on the common organisation of the market in wine with regard to market mechanisms^f2 set certain dates for the distillation of the by-products of winemaking. In view of the fact that there are few distilleries in some Member States, they are experiencing practical difficulties in completing distillation by the deadlines laid down. Those deadlines should therefore be extended.

Since the deadline for the delivery of by-products to distilleries provided for in the existing legislation is 15 July of the wine year in progress, this Regulation should apply from 15 July 2007.

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: