Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Decision 2006/232/EC of 20 December 2005 on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the United States of America on trade in wine^f1, and in particular Article 3 thereof,

Whereas:

Under point 2.1(f) of Part A of the Protocol on wine labelling^f2 to which reference is made in Article 8(2) of the Agreement between the European Community and the United States of America on trade in wine^f3, as well as point 2 of Appendix I to that Protocol, the Community has to permit the use of the terms ‘chateau’, ‘classic’, ‘clos’, ‘cream’, ‘crusted/crusting’, ‘fine’, ‘late bottled vintage’, ‘noble’, ‘ruby’, ‘superior’, ‘sur lie’, ‘tawny’, ‘vintage’ and ‘vintage character’ for wines originating in the United States if, at the time of importation, the terms have been approved for use on US wine labels in the United States on a COLA (Certificate of Label Approval).

In accordance with point 5 of Appendix I to the Protocol on wine labelling, the permission remains in force until 10 March 2009 and is automatically extended for additional successive two-year periods unless a Party to the Agreement provides written notification to the other Party that the period should not be extended.

By letter dated 8 September 2008, the Commission notified the United States that the period should not be extended beyond 10 March 2009.

In order to allow stocks of United States wine imported prior to 10 March 2009 which no longer conform to the applicable labelling rules as a result of the non-extension of this permission to be exhausted, a transitional provision should be introduced.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: