THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
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)(1),
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(2), and in particular Article 7(2) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Commission Regulation (EC) No 341/2007(3) 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.
(2) The quantities for which ‘A’ licence applications have been lodged by traditional importers and by new importers during the first seven working days of July 2012, pursuant to Article 10(1) of Regulation (EC) No 341/2007 exceed the quantities available for products originating in China.
(3) 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 14 July 2012 can be met in accordance with Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 341/2007.
(4) In order to ensure sound management of the procedure of issuing import licences, the present Regulation should enter into force immediately after its publication,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Applications for ‘A’ import licences lodged pursuant to Article 10(1) of Regulation (EC) No 341/2007 during the first seven working days of July 2012 and sent to the Commission by 14 July 2012 shall be met at a percentage rate of the quantities applied for as set out in the Annex to this Regulation.
This Regulation shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Brussels, 18 July 2012.
For the Commission, On behalf of the President,
José Manuel Silva Rodríguez
Director-General for Agriculture and Rural Development