11.3.2004 Official Journal of the European Union L 72/23 COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 437/2004 of 8 March 2004 imposing definitive anti-dumping duty and collecting definitively the provisional duty imposed on imports of large rainbow trout originating in Norway and the Faeroe Islands THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 384/96 of 22 December 1995 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Community () (the basic Regulation), in particular Article 9 thereof, Having regard to the proposal submitted by the Commission after consulting the Advisory Committee, Whereas: A. PROVISIONAL MEASURES (1)  The Commission, by Regulation (EC) No 1628/2003 (3 (the provisional Regulation) imposed a provisional anti- dumping duty on imports of large rainbow trout falling within CN codes 0302 11 20, 0303 21 20, 0304 10 15 and 0304 20 15, originating in Norway and the Faeroe Islands. (2) It is recalled that the investigation of dumping and injury covered the period from 1 October 2001 to 30 September 2002 (investigation period or IP). The exami- nation of trends relevant for the injury analysis covered the period from 1 January 1999 to 30 September 2002 (analysis period). B. SUBSEQUENT PROCEDURE (3)  Following the imposition of provisional duties on imports of large rainbow trout originating in Norway and the Faeroe Islands, some interested parties submitted comments in writing. The parties who so requested were also granted an opportunity to be heard orally. (4 All parties were informed of the essential facts and considerations on the basis of which it was intended to recommend the imposition of definitive anti-dumping duties and the definitive collection of amounts secured by way of provisional duties. They were also granted a period within which they could make representations subsequent to this disclosure. (") OJ L 56, 6.3.1996, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1972/2002 (O] L 305, 7.11.2002, p. 1). () OJ L 232, 18.9.2003, p. 29. Regulation as last amended by Regu- lation (EC) No 117/2004 (OJ L 17, 24.1.2004). () The oral and written comments submitted by the inter- ested parties were considered and, where appropriate, the definitive findings have been changed accordingly. The Commission continued to seck and verify all infor- mation it deemed necessary for the definitive findings. In addition to the verification visits undertaken at the companies mentioned in recital 6 of the provisional Regulation, it should be noted that after the imposition of provisional measures, on-spot verification visits were carried out at the premises of the following companies and Associations: — Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP), Boncelles, Belgium, — Syndicat national des industries du saumon et de la truite fumés, Paris, France, — PJF PRG Export and its related producer P[F Luna, Gota, Faeroe Islands, — PJF Vestsalmon and its related producer P[F Vestlax, Kollafjerdur, Faeroe Islands, — PJF Bakkafrost, Glyvrar, Faeroe Islands, — PJF Faeroe Salmon, Klaksvik, Faeroe Islands, — P[F Faeroe Seafood, Torshavn, Faeroe Islands, — PJF Landshandilin, Torshavn, Faeroe Islands, — P[F Navir, Argir, Faeroe Islands, — PJF Viking Seafood, Strendur, Faeroe Islands. Some parties argued that the selected IP was not appro- priate as the prices were extremely low during that period and have since recovered. In this respect, it should be recalled that, as per Article 6(1) of the basic Regulation, for the purpose of a representative finding, an investigation period shall be selected which, in the case of dumping shall, normally, cover a period of not less than six months immediately prior to the initiation of the proceeding. In other words, the IP is basically determined by the date of initiation. However, it is also recalled that in line with usual Community practice, the IP concerning dumping had a duration of one year. This period which is usually long enough to cover also