COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES. Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION

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Brussels, 08.10.2004 COM(2004)644 final

Proposal for a

COUNCIL REGULATION

amending Council Regulation (EC) No 527/2003 authorising the offer and delivery for direct human consumption of certain wines imported from Argentina which may have undergone oenological processes not provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

Wines originating in third countries which have undergone oenological processes not allowed by Community rules may not, except by way of derogation to be decided by the Council, be offered for direct human consumption in the Community. The derogation procedure is provided for in Article 45(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 on the common organisation of the market in wine. Malic acid may be added to wine originating in Argentina to correct acidity, and while this oenological process is permitted in Argentina, it is prohibited in the European Union.

Negotiations concerning, in particular, the mutual recognition of the respective oenological processes of both parties are being conducted between the Community, represented by the Commission, and Mercosur, which includes the Republic of Argentina, with a view to concluding an agreement on trade in wine. These negotiations started in 2002 and are now nearing their conclusion. To demonstrate the Commission's positive and constructive approach to these negotiations and finalise them quickly, the provisional authorisation of this oenological process, which is important for certain Argentinian wines, should be extended until the entry into force of the agreement resulting from the negotiations, and no later than 30 September 2005. The agreement should, specifically, provide for Argentina to be able to use this process permanently.

The Commission is proposing to authorise the presence of malic acid in wine originating in Argentina until the end of the ongoing negotiations between the Community and the Republic of Argentina with a view to concluding an agreement on trade in wine, and no later than 30 September 2005.

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COUNCIL REGULATION

amending Council Regulation (EC) No 527/2003 authorising the offer and delivery for direct human consumption of certain wines imported from Argentina which may have undergone oenological processes not provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 of 17 May 1999 on the common organisation of the market in wine1, and in particular Article 45(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas:

(1) As an exception to Article 45(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999, Council Regulation (EC) No 527/20032 authorises imports into the Community of wine produced in Argentina which has undergone oenological processes not provided for in the Community rules. That authorisation is due to expire on 30 September 2004.

(2) Negotiations are currently underway between the Community, represented by the Commission, and Argentina on an agreement on trade in wine. These negotiations concern, in particular, the respective oenological processes used by both parties and the protection of geographical indications.

(3) In order to facilitate the progress of these negotiations, the derogation allowing malic acid to be added to wine produced in Argentinian territory and imported into the Community should be extended until the entry into force of the agreement resulting from the negotiations, and no later than 30 September 2005.

(4) Regulation (EC) No 527/2003 should therefore be amended accordingly,

1 _{OJ L 179, 14.7.1999, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1795/2003 (OJ L 262,}

14.10.2003, p. 13).

2 _{OJ L 78, 25.3.2003, p. 46. Regulation as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1776/2003}

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

In the second subparagraph of Article 1(1) of Regulation (EC) No 527/2003, "30 September 2004" is hereby replaced by "30 September 2005".

Article2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of

the European Union.

It shall apply from 1 October 2004.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. Done at Brussels,

For the Council

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FICHE FINANCIÈRE

Proposition de règlement du Conseil modifiant le règlement (CE) n° 527/2003, autorisant l’offre et la livraison à la consommation humaine directe de certains vins importés d’Argentine, susceptibles d’avoir fait l’objet de pratiques œnologiques non prévues par le règlement (CE) n° 1493/1999.

3. BASE JURIDIQUE: Article 133 du traité

4. OBJECTIFS DE LA MESURE:

Prolongation de la dérogation des vins Argentins jusqu’au 30 septembre 2005. 5. INCIDENCES FINANCIÈRES PÉRIODE DE

12 MOIS (Mio EUR) EXERCICE EN COURS 2004 (Mio EUR) EXERCICE SUIVANT 2005 (Mio EUR) 5.0 DÉPENSES A LA CHARGE – DU BUDGET DES CE (RESTITUTIONS/INTERVENTIONS) – DES BUDGETS NATIONAUX – D'AUTRES SECTEURS

p.m. p.m. p.m.

5.1 RECETTES

– RESSOURCES PROPRES DES CE (PRÉLÈVEMENTS/DROITS DE DOUANE) – SUR LE PLAN NATIONAL

– – –

2006 2007 2008 2009 5.0.1 PRÉVISIONS DES DÉPENSES – – – –

5.1.1 PRÉVISIONS DES RECETTES – – – – 5.2 MODE DE CALCUL:

–

6.0 FINANCEMENT POSSIBLE PAR CRÉDITS INSCRITS AU CHAPITRE

CONCERNÉ DU BUDGET EN COURS D'EXÉCUTION OUI / NON 6.1 FINANCEMENT POSSIBLE PAR VIREMENT ENTRE CHAPITRES DU

BUDGET EN COURS D'EXÉCUTION OUI / NON 6.2 NÉCESSITÉ D'UN BUDGET SUPPLÉMENTAIRE OUI / NON 6.3 CRÉDITS A INSCRIRE DANS LES BUDGETS FUTURS OUI / NON OBSERVATIONS:

Il s’agit de la prolongation de la dérogation permettant à l’Argentine d’exporter du vin dans la Communauté. Cette mesure pourrait avoir des conséquences sur les dépenses communautaires, liées aux quantités supplémentaires de vin sur le marché. Toutefois, ces conséquences ne sont pas mesurables.