L 320/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 28.11.98 COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2556/98 of 27 November 1998 laying down for 1999 detailed rules for the application of the tariff quota for beef and veal provided for in the Interim Agreement between the Community and the Republic of Slovenia THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 410/97 of 24 February 1997 on certain procedures for applying the Interim Agreement on Trade and Trade-Related Measures between the European Community, the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the Republic of Slo- venia, of the other part('), and in particular Article 1 thereof, Whereas an Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related matters between the European Community, the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the Republic of Slovenia, of the other part (%), hereinafter referred to as the ‘Agreement’, was signed in Brussels on 11 November 1996; whereas pending the entry into force of the Europe Agreement, the Council and Commission decided that the Agreement would apply provisionally in the Community from 1 January 1997, Whereas the Agreement provides for the opening of a reduced-tariff quota for beef and veal for 1999; whereas detailed rules for the application of that quota should therefore be laid down; Whereas, in order to ensure orderly importation of the quantities laid down, they should be staggered; Whereas the arrangements should be managed using import licences; whereas to that end rules should be laid down on the submission of applications and the informa- tion to be given on applications and licences, where appropriate by way of derogation from or by supple- menting the provisions of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 3719/88 of 16 November 1988 laying down common detailed rules for the application of the system of import and export licences and advance-fixing certificates for agricultural products (%), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1044/98 (*), and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1445/95 of 26 June 1995 on rules of application for import and export licences in the beef and veal sector and ) %) OJ L 344, 31. 12. 1996, p. 3. ) OJ L 331, 2. 12. 1988, p. 1. OJ L 149, 20. 5. 1998, p. 11. repealing Regulation (EEC) No 2377/80 (), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2365/98 (°); whereas, moreover, it should be stipulated that licences are to be issued following a reflection period and, where necessary, after application of a uniform percentage reduction; Whereas, given the risk of speculation inherent in the arrangements in the beef and veal sector, detailed condi- tions for access to the quotas should be laid down; whereas, in order for these criteria to be verified, applica- tions must be submitted in the Member State where the applicant is registered for VAT purposes; Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Beef and Veal, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 1.  From 1 January to 31 December 1999, the following quantities may be imported under the quota opened by the Interim Agreement with Slovenia: 8 400 tonnes of fresh or chilled beef and veal falling within CN codes ex 0201 1000  (carcasses), 0201 20 20, 0201 20 30, 0201 20 50 and 0201 30 originating in Slovenia. This quota shall bear the order No 09.4082. 2. For the meat referred to in paragraph 1, the ad valorem and specific customs duties set in the Common Customs Tariff shall be reduced by 80 %. 3. The quantity referred to in paragraph 1 shall be staggered over the year as follows: — 4200 tonnes between 1 January and 30 June 1999, — 4200 tonnes between 1 July and 31 December 1999. 4. If, during 1999, the quantity for which licence applications are submitted for the first period specified in paragraph 3 is less than the quantity available, the remaining quantity shall be added to the quantity avail- able for the following period. () OJ L 143, 27. 6. 1995, p. 35. () OJ L 293, 31. 10. 1998, p. 49.