Commission Regulation (EC) No 2396/2001 of 7 December 2001 laying down the marketing standard applicable to leeks

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 of 28 October 1996 on the common organisation of the market in fruit and vegetables⁽¹⁾, as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 911/2001⁽²⁾, and in particular Article 2(2) thereof,

Whereas:

1. In accordance with Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 2200/96, standards for leeks have been adopted by Commission Regulation (EEC) No 1076/89⁽³⁾, as amended by Regulation (EC) No 888/97⁽⁴⁾.

2. In the interest of preserving transparency on the world market, account should be taken of the standard for leeks recommended by the working party on standardisation of perishable produce and quality development of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE). In addition, it is desirable to allow higher tolerances for Class I early leeks. It is therefore necessary to delete Regulation (EEC) No 1076/89 and to replace it by a new Regulation laying down standards taking these facts into account.

3. Application of these standards should remove products of unsatisfactory quality from the market, bring production into line with consumer requirements and facilitate trade based on fair competition, thereby helping to improve profitability.

4. The standards are applicable at all marketing stages. Long-distances transport, storage over a certain period and the various processes the products undergo may cause some degree of deterioration owing to the biological development of the products or their perishable nature. Account should be taken of such deterioration when applying the standard at the marketing stages following dispatch.

5. The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: