Introductory text

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty of Accession of Croatia,

Having regard to the Act of Accession of Croatia, and in particular Articles 41 and 16 thereof in conjunction with point 4 of Section 3(a) of Annex IV thereto,

Whereas:

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 170/2013^f1 lays down transitional measures in the sugar sector by reason of the accession of Croatia to the Union. Section 2 of Chapter II of that Regulation deals with the determination and elimination of surplus quantities of sugar present in Croatia at the date of its accession. In particular it sets deadlines for the determination of the surplus sugar quantities, for their elimination and for the proofs of elimination to be provided by identified operators in Croatia. It also fixes reference periods to be used in the calculation of charges for Croatia if surplus sugar quantities are not eliminated.

Due to the time required for thorough analysis of the information communicated by Croatia and discussion with that Member State and in order to ensure correct application of Chapter II, Section 2 of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 170/2013, it is necessary to extend the deadlines set out in that Implementing Regulation as far as they concern the determination of surplus quantities of sugar.

Implementing Regulation (EU) No 170/2013 should therefore be amended accordingly.

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: