12. 11. 85 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 298/9 COMMISSION REGULATION (EEC) No 3143/85 of 11 November 1985 on the sale at reduced prices of intervention butter intended for direct consump- tion in the form of concentrated butter THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 804/68 of 27 June 1968 on the common organization of the market in milk and milk products (') as last amended by Regula- tion (EEC) No 1298/85 (3, and in particular Article 6 (7) and 28 thereof, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 985/68 of 15 July 1968, laying down general rules for intervention on the market in butter and cream (%), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 3521/83 (¥, and in particular Article 7 (a) thereof, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 974/71 of 12 May 1971 on certain measures of conjunctural policy to be taken in agriculture following the temporary widening of the margins of fluctuation for the currencies of certain Member States (°), as last amended by Regula- tion (EEC) No 2055/85(%), and in particular Article 6 thereof, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1079/77 of 17 May 1977 on a coresponsibility levy and on measures for expanding the market in milk and milk products (’), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 1302/85 (%), and in particular Article 4 thereof, Whereas the situation on the butter market in the Community is characterized by the existence of large stocks formed as a result of intervention on the butter market under Article 6 (1) and (2) of Regulation (EEC) No 804/68 ; Whereas the entire quantity of the butter constituting these stocks cannot be disposed of in normal conditions during the milk marketing year ; whereas, in view of the attendant high costs, a prolongation of storage should be avoided ; whereas measures should therefore be taken to encourage the disposal of the butter; Whereas consumption of this product can be increased by means of sales at reduced prices in the form of concen- trated butter; whereas various Community measures containing provisions to this effect have been adopted since 1972 ; () OJ No L 148, 28. 6. 1968, p. 13. () O] No L 137, 27. 5. 1985, p. 5. () O No L 169, 18. 7. 1968, p. 1. () OJ No L 352, 15. 12. 1983, p. 4. () O] No L 106, 12. 5. 1971, p. 1. () OJ No L 193, 25. 7. 1985, p. 33. () OJ No L 131, 26. 5. 1977, p. 6. (% OJ No L 137, 27. 5. 1985, p. 9. Whereas the situation on the butter market warrants the continuation and amplification of such measures; whereas, in the view of the size of public stocks, priority should be given to the disposal of the latter; Whereas Commission Regulation (EEC) No 649/78 (%), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 1741/84 ('), intro- duced a system of sales at reduced prices for intervention butter intended for direct consumption in the form of concentrated butter ; whereas, in the light of experience gained in the application of the said Regulation, numerous amendments should be made to the latter; whereas, for the sale of clarity, the said Regulation should be. repealed and replaced by a new text; Whereas the reduction in the price of butter should be such as to result in an increase in its consumption in the form of concentrated butter and whereas, for this reason, the effect of the reduction should be felt fully at the level of direct consumption ; Whereas measures should be taken to ensure differentia- tion at al]l stages of marketing between butter disposed of under the terms of this Regulation and other butters; whereas, to this effect, provisions should be adopted concerning the composition and description of concen- trated butter ; whereas, in order to ensure compliance with the aims of this Regulation, a time limit for the proces- sing of this butter into concentrated butter and for its packaging should be fixed ; Whereas, moreover, a sufficiently high rate for the butterfat content should be laid down ; ‘ Whereas a supervisory system should be applied to ensure that the butter is not used for purposes other than those stipulated ; whereas this Regulation should be included in the Annex to Commission Regulation (EEC) No 1687/76 of 30 June 1976 laying down common detailed rules for verifying the use and/or destination of products from intervention ('!), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 2602/85 ('?); whereas additional supervisory conditions should also be laid down in view of the specific character of the operation, particularly in connection with the processing of the butter and as regards the keeping of stock records by the parties concerned ; whereas, however, these supervisory measures should take place at the stage immediately preceding the taking over by the retail sector ; () OJ No L 86, 1. 4. 1978, p. 33. (% OJ No L 164, 22. 6. 1984, p. 20. (") OJ No L 190, 14. 7. 1976, p. 1. () OJ No L 248, 17. 9. 1985, p. 12.