(1)

Article 2(1) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1518/2003 of 28 August 2003 laying down detailed rules for implementing the system of export licences in the pigmeat sector (2) provides that export licences shall be valid for 90 days from their actual day of issue.

(2)

Article 7(1) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 376/2008 of 23 April 2008 laying down common detailed rules for the application of the system of import and export licences and advance fixing certificates for agricultural products (3) provides that the import or export licence shall constitute authorisation and give rise to an obligation respectively to import or to export under the licence, and, except in cases of force majeure, during its period of validity, the specified quantity of the products or goods concerned.

(3)

In accordance with Articles 31 and 34(2) of Regulation (EC) No 376/2008, where the obligation to import or export has not been met, the security shall be forfeit in an amount equal to the difference between 95 % of the quantity indicated in the licence or certificate and the quantity actually imported or exported.

(4)

As of 25 April 2008 the Russian veterinary authorities have notified the Commission about health measures they have taken as regards exports of products from certain meat establishments in the Community. These health measures were introduced following findings of certain residues of antibiotics in the meat products that, according to the Russian competent authorities, are not permissible.

(5)

The health measures have negatively affected the possibilities for exportation of pigmeat under the terms of Regulation (EC) No 1518/2003 and consequently the measures have seriously affected the activity of the exporters concerned and the possibilities in due time to fulfil their obligations as regard the Community rules.

(6)

Therefore, in order to limit the adverse impact on exporters, it is necessary to provide that, under certain conditions, derogation should be made from Regulation (EC) No 1518/2003 and the validity of export licences should be prolonged by 120 days and that, at the request of interested parties, and pursuant to Article 40 of Regulation (EC) No 376/2008, the security should be released by the Member States on a case-by-case basis.

(7)

The exceptional measures proposed in this Regulation should apply only to export licences that were valid at least one of the days from 25 April 2008 to 7 May 2008. All exporters of pigmeat should have become aware, by 2 May 2008, of the practical difficulties that exports to Russia were facing.

(8)

On the date of entering into force of this Regulation, part of licences that were valid at least one of the days from 25 April 2008 to 7 May 2008 has already expired. In order to ensure an equal treatment of the interested parties, it should be provided for the retroactive application to all licences valid in this period.

(9)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets,