Commission Regulation (EC) No 681/2008 of 17 July 2008 on the issue of licences for the import of garlic in the subperiod 1 September to 30 November 2008

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 of 22 October 2007 establishing a common organisation of agricultural markets and on specific provisions for certain agricultural products (Single CMO Regulation)^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 July 2008, 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.

Therefore, in accordance with Article 7(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1301/2006, it is now necessary to establish the extent to which the ‘A’ licence applications sent to the Commission by 15 July 2008 can be met in accordance with Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 341/2007,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: