L 217/26 Official Journal of the European Union 29.8.2003 COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1515/2003 of 27 August 2003 opening a standing invitation to tender for the resale on the Community market of 18 300 tonnes of barley held by the Finnish intervention agency THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92 of 30 June 1992 on the common organisation of the market in cereals ('), as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1104/2003 (3, and in particular Article 5(b) thereof, Whereas: (1)  Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2131/93 of 28 July 1993 laying down the procedure and conditions for the sale of cereals held by intervention agencies (%), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1630/2003 (%), provides in particular that cereals held by intervention agencies is to be sold by tendering procedure at prices preventing market disturbance. (2)  Finland still has intervention stocks of barley. (3)  Because of the difficult weather conditions in much of the Community, cereals production has been signifi- cantly reduced in the 2003/2004 marketing year. This situation has resulted in high prices locally, causing particular difficulties for livestock holdings and the feedingstuffs industry, which are finding it hard to obtain supplies at competitive prices. (4) It is therefore appropriate to make stocks of barley held by the Finnish intervention agency available on the internal market, which had earlier been destined for export under Regulation (EC) No 1500/2001 (), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1095/2003 (%), and to repeal that Regulation. (5)  To take account of the situation on the Community market, provision should be made for the Commission to manage this invitation to tender; in addition, provi- sion must be made for an award coefficient for tenders offering the minimum selling price. (6)  When the Finnish intervention agency notifies the Commission, the tenderers should remain anonymous. (7  With a view to modernising management, the informa- tion required by the Commission should be sent by elec- tronic mail. (8)  The Management Committee for Cereals has not issued an opinion by the time limit laid down by its Chairman, () OJ L 181, 1.7.1992, p. 21. () OJ L 158, 27.6.2003, p. 1. () OJL 191, 31.7.1993, p. 76. () OJ L 187, 26.7.2000, p. 24. () OJ L 199, 24.7.2001, p. 3. () OJ L 157, 26.6.2003, p. 20. HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Atrticle 1 1. The Finnish intervention agency shall open a standing invitation to tender for the resale on the Community market of 18 300 tonnes of barley held by it. 2. The regions in which the barley is stored are listed in Annex [ hereto. Atticle 2 The sale provided for in Article 1 shall take place in accordance with Regulation (EEC) No 2131/93. However, notwithstanding the above Regulation: (a) tenders shall be drawn up on the basis of the actual quality of the lot to which they apply; (b) the minimum selling price shall be set at a level which does not disturb the cereals market. Atticle 3 Notwithstanding Article 13(4) of Regulation (EEC) No 2131/93 the tender security shall be set at EUR 10 per tonne. Atrticle 4 1. The closing date for the submission of tenders for the first partial tendering procedure shall be 18 September 2003 at 09.00 (Brussels time). 2. The closing dates for the submission of tenders for subse- quent partial tendering procedures shall be each Thursday at 09.00 (Brussels time). 3. The closing date for the submission of tenders for the last partial tendering procedure shall be 18 December 2003 at 09.00 (Brussels time). Tenders must be lodged with the Finnish intervention agency: Maa- ja metsitalousministerio, interventioyksikko PL 30 FIN-00023 Valtioneuvosto Fax (358-9) 160 52 772, (358-9) 160 52 778.