31978R0503

10 . 3 . 78 No L 68 / 17 Official Journal of the European Communities

COMMISSION REGULATION ( EEC) No 503 /78 of 9 March 1978 amending Regulation No 785/67/EEC on the buying-in of olive oil by interven­ tion agencies

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN Whereas it does not appear possible with the present COMMUNITIES, method of analysis to guarantee in all cases the quality of the oil offered for intervention ; whereas, pending Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European the elaboration of an adequate method of analysis, Economic Community, provision should be made for interim protective Having regard to Council Regulation No 136/66/EEC measures to avoid the risk of fraudulent operations ; of 22 September 1966 on the establishment of a whereas the advantage of offering virgin olive oil , extra, of 0.6^ acidity for intervention should be provi­ common organization of the market in oils and sionally reduced by altering the price increase appli­ fats (!), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No cable to such oil ; 2560/77 (2), and in particular Article 1 1 (5) thereof, Whereas in certain regions of the Community it has Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation been noted that virgin olive oil, extra, of 0.6^ or less are in accordance with the opinion of the Manage­ acidity is being sent into intervention ; whereas at the ment Committee for Oils and Fats , same time the market prices of that quality of olive oil are at the level of the market target prices ; HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION : Whereas, according to certain information , the oil sent into intervention in certain cases may not be oil Article 1 which has naturally the characteristics of virgin olive oil, extra, of 0.6^ acidity ; By way of derogation from the Annex to Regulation Whereas the Annex to Regulation No 785/ 67/EEC on (EEC) No 785/ 67/ EEC, the price increase contained the buying-in of olive oil by intervention agencies (3), therein for virgin olive oil , extra, of more than 0.6° up as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 2374/77 (4), to and including 1° of acidity shall apply also to provides for different increases in the buying-in price virgin olive oil, extra, of 0.6° or less acidity up to and of virgin olive oil, extra, offered for intervention , including 15 May 1978 . according to its degree of acidity ; whereas the substan­ tial difference between the price increase applicable to Article 2 virgin olive oil, extra, of 0.6^ acidity and that appli­ cable to virgin olive oil, extra, of a higher degree of This Regulation shall enter into force on the day of its acidity is an incentive to manipulate the oils offered publication in the Official Journal of the European for intervention ; Communities.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States .

Done at Brussels, 9 March 1978 .

For the Commission

Finn GUNDELACH Vice-President

1) OJ No 172, 30 . 9 . 1966, p . 3025/ 66 . (2) OJ No L 303, 28 . 11 . 1977, p. 1 . (3 ) OJ No 264, 31 . 10 . 1967, p. 11 . (4) OJ No L 277, 29 . 10 . 1977, p . 27.