WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/LIC/N/3/EEC/2/Add.1
13 October 1999
(99-4327)
Committee on Import Licensing Original:  English
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES1
Notification under Article 7.3 of the Agreement
on Import Licensing Procedures
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
Addendum
Import Licensing Procedures for WTO Tariff Quotas
Covering Live Bovine Animals
Outline of system
1. The object of the import licensing system is to ensure a sound administration of the EC’s
WTO tariff rate quotas listed in reply 2. The relevant  legislation related to the import licensing system
for these tariff quotas is mentioned in the reply 5.  As regards the requirements for applicants for
import licences see reply 6.
Purpose and coverage of licensing
2. See reply 1. The products covered by the tariff quotas mentioned in reply 1 are as follows:
Description of products Tariff item number(s)
(a) Heifers and cows (other than for slaughter)
of the mountain breeds: grey, brown, yellow,
spotted Simental and Pinzgau-------------------------------------------------------
(b) Bulls, cows and heifers (other than for
slaughter) of the following mountain breeds:
spotted Simmmental, Schwyz and Fribourgex 0102 90 30
-------------------------------------------------------
ex 0102 90 30
3. The system applies in the European Community to the above-mentioned products originating
in third countries.
                                                     
1 See G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire.G/LIC/N/3/EEC/2/Add.1
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4. See reply 1. As referred to in reply 1, the licensing system covers the relevant WTO tariff
quotas. The EC considers the method adopted to be the most appropriate to administer these tariff rate
quotas.
5. The relevant legislation for the administration of import licences for the tariff quotas
mentioned in reply 1 is:
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1012/98 of 14 May 1998 (OJ  L 145).The licensing is statutorily required. The legislation does not leave designation of products to
be subjected to licensing to administrative discretion. The system cannot be abolished without
legislative approval.
Procedures
6. Answer to questions 6.I to VIII and to 6. XI. Questions 6.IX and X are not relevant.
The information related to the allocation of the quotas, the formalities for licence application,
the amount of goods allocated to each importer is published in the Official Journal of the European
Communities (see answer to question 5). There is no derogation from the licensing requirement. The
two tariff quota volumes are each divided into two part s. 80% of each of the tariff quotas are allocated
to importers from the Community who are able to furnish proof of having imported animals covered
by the quotas during the 36 months preceding the year of import, starting 1 July of each year. The
allocation among these importers is made in proportion to their imports of animals covered by the
tariff quotas during the 36 months preceding the year of import. 20% of the volume of each quota is
allocated to applicants who can furnish the proof  of having imported during the 12 month preceding
the year of import in question, at least 15 live bovine animals covered by CN code 0102 and theallocation of these 20% of the volume of each of these quotas is mode on the basis of the same
criteria. The tariff quotas are annual tariff quotas, opened on 1 July of each year (year of import).
Applicants for import licences must be entered in a national VAT register. An application for an
import licence can only be submitted to the competent authorities in the Member State in which the
applicant is entered in a national VAT register and must be submitted by 15 July of each year of
import. The competent authorities in the Member States communicate to the Commission all the
applications for the right to import not later than 1 August of each year of import.  The Commissioncalculates to what extent applications can be accepted. If the quantities in respect of which
applications are made exceed the quantities available, the Commission applies a reduction coefficient.
After the notification of allocations from the Commission, import licences are issued as soon as
possible.
7. Question 7 is not relevant in the present case.
8. The application for an import licence can only be refused if either the relevant criteria are not
fulfilled or the licence security has not been lodged. Applicants can appeal to courts in the Member
States according to the legislation in force in the respective Member States.
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
9. See reply 6. Importers must be registered in a national VAT register and there is no
registration fee.G/LIC/N/3/EEC/2/Add.1
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Documentational and other requirements for application for licence
10. The application for an import licence has to be  submitted to the competent authorities in the
Member States conforming to the specimen set out at Annex XI to the Community’s general
Article 7.3 notification for 1999 (G/LIC/N/3/EEC /2). Regarding the information required in
applications, see the application form and Co mmission Regulation (EC) No 1012/98 of 15.05.98
(published in OJ L 145, page 13).
11. The import licence plus appropriate veterinary certificates plus (17).12. No.
13. To ensure compliance with the obligation not to slaughter the imported animals, importers
must lodge a security. The security is released immediately if proof  is supplied that the animals
(a) have not been slaughtered within four months of the date of release for free circulation or (b) have
been slaughtered within that period in cases of force majeure.
Conditions of licensing
14. Import licences are valid 90 days, but not beyond the 30 June following their date of issue and
the period of validity cannot be extended.
15. In case of non-utilisation of an import licence, the security is not released. In the case of
partial use of the import licence, the security is partially released.
16. Import licences are not transferable.
17. No. To benefit from the tariff quota mentioned under (b) in reply 2, the following must be
presented:
- for bulls: a pedigree certificate
- for female animals: a pedigree certificate or a certificate of registration in a herdbook
certifying the purity of the breed.
Other procedural requirements
18. No.
19. Not relevant.
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