Judgment of the Court (Fourth Chamber) of 4 October 2012

ED et F Man Alcohols v Office national interprofessionnel des fruits, des légumes, des vins et de l'horticulture (Viniflhor)

Reference for a preliminary ruling – Conseil d’État – Interpretation of Article 5(5) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 360/95 of 22 February 1995 opening individual sales by invitation to tender for the export of vinous alcohol held by intervention agencies (OJ 1995 L 41, p. 14), of Article 91(12) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1623/2000 of 25 July 2000 laying down detailed rules for implementing Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 on the common organisation of the market in wine, with regard to market mechanisms (OJ 2000 L 194, p. 45), of Article 1 of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of 18 December 1995 on the protection of the European Communities financial interests (OJ 1995 L 312, p. 1), and of the provisions of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 377/93 of 12 February 1993 laying down detailed rules for the disposal of alcohol obtained from the distillation operations referred to in Articles 35, 36 and 39 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 822/87 and held by intervention agencies (OJ 1993 L 43, p. 6) and of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2220/85 of 22 July 1985 laying down common detailed rules for the application of the system of securities for agricultural products (OJ 1985 L 205, p. 5) – Individual sales by invitation to tender for the export of vinous alcohol held by intervention agencies for the purpose of an end use as motor fuel – Time-limit for export exceeded by the successful tenderer – Administrative penalties or other measures – Failure likely to prejudice the budget of the European Union.

Protection of the financial interests of the European Union – Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 – Scope ratione materiae – Meaning of ‘detriment to the financial interests of the European Union’ – Individual invitation to tender for the export of vinous alcohol held by intervention agencies – Export of quantities of alcohol outside the European Union after the expiry of the prescribed time-limit – Retention of the performance guarantee – Administrative measures – Administrative penalties – Regulation (EC) No 360/95 – Regulation (EC) No 1623/2000 – Retroactive application of a less severe penalty

Case C‑669/11

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