Recital 1

(1)Whereas the risks associated with commodities trading and commodity derivatives are currently subject to Council Directive 89/647/EEC of 18 December 1989 on a solvency ratio for credit institutions (5); whereas, however, the market risks associated with those positions are not captured accurately by Directive 89/647/EEC; whereas it is necessary to extend the concept of the 'trading book` to positions in commodities or commodity derivatives which are held for trading purposes and are subject mainly to market risks; whereas institutions must comply with this Directive as regards the coverage of commodity risks on their overall business; whereas the perpetration of serious fraud by certain commodity futures traders is of growing concern to the Community and a threat to the image and integrity of the futures trading business; whereas it is desirable that the Commission should consider defining an appropriate prudential framework in order to prevent these fraudulent practices in the future;