22.12.98 Official Journal of the European Communities L 346/29 COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2771/98 of 21 December 1998 opening and providing for the administration of a Community tariff quota for 1999 for products falling within CN codes 0714 10 10, 0714 10 91 and 0714 10 99 originating in Thailand THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1095/96 of 18 June 1996 on the implementation of the concessions set out in Schedule CXL drawn up in the wake of the conclusion of the GATT XXIV.6 negotiations ('), and in particular Article 1(1) thereof, Whereas during the World Trade Organization of multi- lateral trade negotiations, the Community undertook to open a tariff quota restricted to 21 million tonnes of products falling within CN codes 0714 10 10, 0714 10 91 and 071410 99 originating in Thailand per four-year period, with customs duty reduced to 6 %; whereas this quota must be opened and administered by the Commis- sion; Whereas it is necessary to keep an administration system which ensures that only products originating in Thailand may be imported under the quota; whereas, therefore, the issue of an import licence should continue to be subject to the presentation of an export certificate issued by the Thai authorities, a specimen of which has been notified to the Commission; Whereas since imports to the Community market of the products concerned have traditionally been administered on the basis of a calendar year this system should be kept; whereas it is therefore necessary to open a quota for 1999; Whereas the import of products falling within CN codes 071410 10, 0714 10 91 and 0714 10 99 is subject to the presentation of an import licence for which the common detailed rules of application are laid down in Commission Regulation (EEC) No 3719/88 (3, as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1044/98 (°); whereas Commission Regulation (EC) No 1162/95 (¥, as last amended by Regu- lation (EC) No 444/98 (°), lays down the special detailed rules for the application of the system of licences for cereals and rice; Whereas experience has shown that, taking into account that the Community concession provides for an overall quantity for four years with an annual maximum of 5500 000 tonnes, it is advisable to maintain measures which, under certain conditions, either facilitate the OJ L 146, 20. 6. 1996, p. 1 OJ L 331, 2. 12. 1988, p. 1 OJ L 149, 20. 5. 1998, p. 1 OJ L 117, 24. 5. 1995, p. 2 OJ L 56, 26. 2. 1998, p. 12 1. release for free circulation of quantities of products exceeding those given in the import licences, or allow the difference between the figure given in the import licences and the smaller figure actually imported to be carried forward; Whereas, in order to ensure the correct application of the agreement, it is necessary to establish a system of strict and systematic controls that take account of the informa- tion given on the Thai export certificates and the Thai authorities’ procedures for issuing export certificates; Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Cereals, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 1. An import tariff quota for 5 500 000 tonnes of prod- ucts falling within CN codes 0714 10 10, 0714 10 91 and 0714 10 99 originating in Thailand is hereby opened for the period 1 January to 31 December 1999. The customs duty applicable is hereby fixed at 6 % ad valorem. The serial number of the quota shall be 09.4008. 2. The abovementioned products shall benefit from the arrangements provided for in this Regulation if imported under cover of import licences: (a) which are issued subject to the submission of a certifi- cate for export to the European Community issued by the Department of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce, Government of Thailand, hereinafter referred to as an ‘export certificate’, which meets the requirements laid down in Title I; (b) which meet the requirements laid down in Title II. TITLE 1 Export certificates Article 2 1. There shall be one original and at least one copy of the export certificate, to be made out on a form of which a specimen is given in the Annex.