Bananas: common organisation of the market CMO (amend. Regulation (EEC) No 404/93)

PURPOSE: To introduce changes to Regulation No 404/93 in line with agreements reached between the EU, Ecuador and the United States on the common organisation of the market in bananas. CONTENT: By 1 January 2006, the EU has agreed to reorganise the banana market to a "tariff only" system. In the meantime, the EU has maintained close contact with supplier countries, particularly the United States and Ecuador. Prior to the implementation of the "tariff only" system, there has been an understanding that a two stage application in the organisation of the EU's banana market shall apply. It is now time to implement the second stage, which requires an amendment to Regulation No 404/93. This comprises the following points: - a quantity of 100 000 tonnes is to be transferred from quota C to quota B; - quota C is to be reserved exclusively for the ACP supplier countries. In line with these changes, the Regulation updates the CN codes for products to which Article 17, 18, 19 and 20 of Regulation No 404/93 applies. Amendments relating to agricultural legislation and financial aid have also been amended in line with the proposed changes.�