16.3.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities L 69/13 COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 561/1999 of 15 March 1999 on the opening of a standing invitation to tender for the sale of olive oil held by the Spanish intervention agency THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1638/98 of 20 July 1998 amending Regulation No 136/66/EEC on the establishment of a common organisation of the market in oils and fats ('), and in particular Article 3(1) thereof, Whereas Article 2 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2754/ 78 (3, as amended by Regulation (EEC) No 2203/90 (3, lays down that the sale of olive oil held by intervention agencies must be by tender; Whereas, in accordance with Article 12(1) of Council Regulation No 136/66/EEC (%), as last amended by Regu- lation (EC) No 1638/98, in force until 31 October 1998, the Spanish intervention agency currently holds certain quantities of olive oil; Whereas Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2960/77 (%), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 3818/85 (%), lays down the conditions for the sale by tender on the Community market and for export of olive oil; whereas the situation on the market in olive oil currently favours the sale of some of the oil in question; Whereas the present situation on the market in virgin olive oils not directly edible is one of reduced supply compared to demand; whereas, in order to provide the greatest possible number of operators with a minimum supply to meet their immediate needs, it should be laid down that each operator may only submit tenders for a maximum quantity; Whereas special rules must be laid down to ensure that the operators are properly carried out and monitored; Whereas to that end the Member States must provide for all additional measures compatible with the provisions in () OJ L 210, 28. 7. 1998, p. 32. () OJ L 331, 28. 11. 1978, p. 13. () OJ L 201, 31. 7. 1990, p. 5. () OJ 172, 30. 9. 1966, p. 3025/66. () OJ L 348, 30. 12. 1977, p. 46. () OJ L 368, 31. 12. 1985, p. 20. force to ensure that the operation takes place smoothly and that the Commission is kept informed; Whereas the monitoring arrangements should accord- ingly be supplemented by allowing a reference sample to be taken; Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Oils and Fats, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 1. The Spanish intervention agency, the Fondo Espafiol de Garantia Agraria, hereinafter referred to as ‘FEGA’, shall open an invitation to tender in accordance with this Regulation and Regulation (EEC) No 2960/77, for the sale on the Community market of the following quantities of olive oil: — 20000 t of ordinary virgin olive oil, — 55000 t of lampante virgin olive oil. Five invitations shall be opened, each of which shall be for approximately one fifth of the above quantities plus any quantities unsold under the previous invitation. 2. Notwithstanding Article 5(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 2960/77, where the quantity of oil in a container exceeds 500 t, FEGA shall be authorised to divide that quantity into several lots. Article 2 The invitation to tender shall be published on 23 March 1999. Details of the lots of oil offered for sale and of the places where they are stored shall be displayed at the central office of FEGA, calle Beneficencia, 8, E—28004 Madrid.