Due to disturbances in the flows of imports into the Community of rice originating in the United States of America in 2006 and 2007, following the appearance on the American market of rice contaminated with genetically modified rice, known as ‘LL RICE 601’, the quota of 38 721 tonnes of wholly milled or semi-milled rice originating in that country covered by the overall import quota of 63 000 tonnes of wholly milled or semi-milled rice under Regulation (EC) No 327/98 could not be used in full in 2007 for imports of rice originating in the USA.

Since the USA is a regular supplier of rice to the Community, normal import flows of rice originating in that country should be restored as quickly as possible. To that end, the division into sub-periods for 2008 of the overall import quota of 63 000 tonnes of wholly milled and semi-milled rice should be amended by providing for an additional sub-period for the month of February for the quota of rice originating in the USA. Out of that quota, a quantity sufficient to attain the objective referred to above should be transferred from the April and July 2008 sub-periods to the February 2008 sub-period, without disturbing the situation on the Community market or imports from other countries of origin, and within the limit of the total annual quantity of 38 721 tonnes laid down for this quota.

Due to the abovementioned disturbances to imports, it was not possible to use certain export licences in 2007. Those licences should therefore not be prevented from being used in 2008.

A derogation from Regulation (EC) No 327/98 should therefore be introduced for 2008.

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