WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/LIC/N/3/EEC/3/Add.1
14 December 2000
(00-5421)
Committee on Import Licensing Original:  English
REPLIES TO THE 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 for
Live Bovine Animals
Outline of systems
1. The object of the import licensing system is to ensure a sound administration of the EC’s
WTO tariff rate quotas listed in answer to question 2.  The relevant legislation related to the import
licensing system for these tariff quotas is mentioned in the reply to question 5.  As regards the
requirements for applicants for import licences see reply to question 6.
Purpose and coverage of licensing
2. See answer to question 1.  The products covered by the tariff quotas mentioned in answer to
question 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 Simmental and Pinzgau---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b) Bulls, cows and heifers (other than for slaughter) of the
following mountain breeds: spotted Simmental, Schwyz andFribourgex 0102 90 05, ex 0102 90 29, ex 0102 90 49,
ex 0102 90 59, ex 0102 90 69---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ex 0102 90 05, ex 0102 90 29, ex 0102 90 49,
ex 0102 90 59, ex 0102 90 69, ex 0102 90 79
3. The system applies to goods in and coming from which countries?
The system applies in the European Community to the above-mentioned products originating
in third countries.
4. See answer to question 1. As referred to in the answer to question 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.
                                                     
1 See G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire.G/LIC/N/3/EEC/3/Add.1
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5. The relevant legislation for the administration of import licences for the tariff quotas
mentioned in the answer to question 1 is:
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1081/99 of 26 May 1999 (OJ  L 131).
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 parts. 80% of each of the tariff quotas
are allocated to importers from the Community w ho 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 ofeach 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 from third countries.  The allocation of these 20% of the volume of each of these quotas is mode
on the basis of the same criteria.  The tariff quotas are opened for periods running from 1 July to 30
June 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 June prior to the relevant
year of import.  The competent authorities in the Member States communicate to the Commission all
the applications for the right to import not later th an the 10th working day following the closing date
for submission of applications.  The Commission ca lculates 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 uniform reduction percenta ge.  After the notification of allocations from the
Commission, import licences are issued as soon as possible.
7. Question 7 related to no quantitative limits 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 answer to question 6.  Importers must be registered in a national VAT register and there
are no registration fees.
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 included in the EC Regulations set out in answer toG/LIC/N/3/EEC/3/Add.1
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question 10 of the main notification for 2000.  Regarding the information required in applications, see
the application form and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1081/99 of 26 May 1999 (published in OJ
L 131, page 15).
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 i mmediately 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. To benefit from the tariff quota mentioned under (b) in the answer to question 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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