31.1.2002 Official Journal of the European Communities L 30/33 COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 174/2002 of 30 January 2002 amending Regulation (EC) No 2603/97 laying down the detailed implementing rules for imports of rice originating in the ACP countries or the overseas countries and territories (OCT) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Decision 2001/822/EC of 27 November 2001 on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Community (‘Overseas Asso- ciation Decision’) ('), and in particular Article 6(5) of Annex III thereto, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1706/98 of 20 July 1998 on the arrangements applicable to agricultural prod- ucts and goods resulting from the processing of agricultural products originating in the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP States) and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 715/ 90 (%), and in particular Article 30(1) thereof, Whereas: (1) On 27 November 2001, the Council adopted the ‘Over- seas Association Decision’. Under Article 6(5) of Annex II thereto, cumulation of origin is permitted within an overall annual quota of 160 000 tonnes expressed as husked-rice equivalent, which includes the tariff quota for rice originating in the ACP States under the Cotonou Agreement. An initial issue of import licences for 35000 tonnes is made to the overseas countries and territories each year, within which quantity import licences for 10 000 tonnes are issued to the least-devel- oped OCTs. (2)  Management of this cumulative system required the adoption of detailed implementing rules for imports of rice originating in the ACP countries or the overseas countries and territories in Commission Regulation (EC) No 2603/97 (%), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2371/1999 (4. (3)  In the light of the experience gained, the arrangements for calculating the import rights under Regulation (EC) No 1706/98 should be specified. (4)  The issue of import licences should be staggered over several specific periods during the year with a view to better market management. Licences not used by the least-developed OCTs should be made available to the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, while continuing to allow for carry-overs from one tranche to another during the year. (5) Licences should be introduced for these products and the detailed rules for their issue should be laid down so () O] L 314, 30.11.2001, p. 1. () O] L 215, 1.8.1998, p. 12. () O] L 351, 16.12.1997, p. 22. () O] L 328, 22.12.1999, p. 39. that the necessary import controls of the quantities provided for in that Decision can be undertaken. (6)  In the case of rice originating in the overseas countries and territories, the import licences should be valid until the end of the year in which they are issued. (7)  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 Regulation (EC) No 2603/97 is amended as follows: 1. Article 1 is replaced by the following: ‘Article 1 This Regulation lays down the detailed implementing rules for imports of rice originating in the ACP States or in the overseas countries and territories (OCT) pursuant to Article 6(5) of Annex III to Council Decision 2001/822/EC (*). () OJ L 314, 30.11.2001, p. 1. 2. Article 4 is replaced by the following: ‘Article 4 For the purposes of applying Article 13(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1706/98 (¥), the amounts of the customs duties shall be fixed by the Commission in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 4 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1503/96 (**) on the detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 3072/95 (**) with regard to import duties on rice. " 0] L 215, 1.8.1998, p. 12. (** OJ L 189, 30.7.1996, p. 71. (** O] L 329, 30.12.1995, p. 18’ 3. The following paragraph is added to Article 5: ‘6. Article 6 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1162/95 (*) notwithstanding and pursuant to Article 23(2) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1291/ 2000 (*), the import licences for husked, milled or semi-milled rice and for broken rice shall be valid from the actual day of issue to the end of the third month that follows. Their validity may not extend beyond 31 December of their year of issue, however. * O] L 117, 24.5.1995, p. 2. (*% OJ L 152, 24.6.2000, p. 1.