28.8.2009 Official Journal of the European Union L 226/21 COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 786/2009 of 27 August 2009 fixing the maximum reduction in the duty on maize imported under the invitation to tender issued in Regulation (EC) No 676/2009 THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 of 22 October 2007 establishing a common organisation of agri- cultural markets and on specific provisions for certain agri- cultural products (Single CMO Regulation) (1), and in particular Article 144(1) in conjunction with Article 4 thereof, Whereas: (1)  An invitation to tender for the maximum reduction in the duty on maize imported into Spain from third countries was opened by Commission Regulation (EC) No 676/2009 (). (2)  Under Article 8 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1296/2008 of 18 December 2008 laying down detailed rules for the application of tariff quotas for imports of maize and sorghum into Spain and imports of maize into Portugal () the Commission, in accordance the procedure laid down in Article 195(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007, may decide to fix a maximum reduction in the import duty. In fixing this maximum the criteria provided for in Articles 7 and 8 of Regulation (EC) No 1296/2008 must be taken into account. (3) A contract is awarded to any tenderer whose tender is equal to or less than the maximum reduction in the duty. (4)  The Management Committee for the Common Organi- sation of Agricultural Markets has not delivered an opinion within the time limit set by its Chair, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 For tenders lodged from 7 August to 27 August 2009 under the invitation to tender issued in Regulation (EC) No 676/2009, the maximum reduction in the duty on maize imported shall be EUR 19,50 EURJt for a total maximum quantity of 16 000 t. Article 2 This Regulation shall enter into force on 28 August 2009. This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. Done at Brussels, 27 August 2009. 0J L 299, 16.11.2007, p. 1. () O] L 196, 28.7.2009, p. 6. 0] L 340, 19.12.2008, p. 57. For the Commission Jean-Luc DEMARTY Director-General for Agriculture and Rural Development