18/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 18 October the European Commission formally adopted a regulation that from 1 November will toughen up conditions for maize intervention organisms (EUROPE 9276 on management committee's vote in favour). New rules reduce the maximum moisture content and the maximum percentage of broken grains and grains overheated. It also introduces new criteria for maize weight. These measures are necessary as public intervention stocks for maize are over 5 million tonnes. (lc)