Recital 1

(1)The statistical information on Member States′ trade flows with non-member countries is of essential importance for the Community’s economic and trade policies and for analysing market developments for individual goods. The transparency of the statistical system should be improved to enable it to react to the changing administrative environment and to satisfy new user requirements. Council Regulation (EC) No 1172/95 of 22 May 1995 on the statistics relating to the trading of goods by the Community and its Member States with non-member countries ³ should therefore be replaced by a new Regulation in conformity with the requirements set out in Article 285(2) of the Treaty.