AGREEMENT in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Economic Community and the Kingdom of Norway concerning the reciprocal trade in cheese

1. Letter from the Community Brussels,

Sir,

I have the honour to refer to the consultations held between the European Economic Community and the Kingdom of Norway under paragraph 6 of the Agreement concerning reciprocal trade in cheese, signed on 31 January 1986. In view of the common interest of the Community and Norway in offering consumers, in addition to home-produced cheese, other types of imported cheese, I propose that with effect from 1 January 1989 the arrangement contained in the said Agreement be replaced by the following provisions:

1. For the annual quantities of cheese listed below, the import duties may not exceed the following levels:

(a) on importation into the Community (excluding Spain and Portugal) Cheese falling within CN code 0406, originating in and coming from Norway and accompanied by an approved certificate (1):

Annual quantity (in tonnes) for the years 1989, 1990 and 1991 Import duty (in ECU/100 kg) - Jarlsberg, of a minimum fat content of 45 %, by weight, in the dry matter and of a dry matter content, by weight, of not less than 56 %, matured for at least three months: - Whole cheeses with rind (1) weighing from 8 kg to 12 kg - Rectangular blocks of a net weight not exceeding 7 kg (2) - Pieces packed in vacuum or in inert gas, of a net weight of not less than 150 g but not exceeding 1 kg (2) 2 020 55 - Ridder, of a minimum fat content of 60 %, by weight, in the dry matter and matured for at least four weeks: - Whole cheeses with rind (1) weighing from 1 kg to 2 kg - Pieces packed in vacuum or in inert gas, with rind on at least one side (1), of a net weight of not less than 150 g (2) (1) The expression ´whole cheeses with rind' means cheeses of the conventional flat cylindrical shape. For the purposes of these provisions, the rind is defined as follows: the rind of such cheeses is the outer layer formed from the cheese itself, having a distinctly more solid consistency and a distinctly darker colour.

(2) The wording on the packing must be such as to enable this cheese to be identified by the consumer.

(b) on importation into Norway Annual quantity (in tonnes) for the years 1989, 1990 and 1991 Import duty (in Nkr/kg) - Cheese of all types and varieties, originating in and coming from the Community 2 160 1,20 2. Norway will take the necessary steps in order to:

- limit the issue of the certificates referred to in 1 (a) to the quantities agreed in this Agreement,

- ensure that the autonomous system of import licence allocation will be managed taking into account market requirements and in such a way that imports may take place regularly and that the quantities agreed for import into Norway from the Community can effectively be imported.

3. The Community and Norway will take steps to ensure that the benefits which they grant each other will not be jeopardized by other import measures.

4. The Community and Norway undertake, each on its own behalf, to ensure that the prices charged by their exporters are not such as to create difficulties on the importing country's market.

They agree, in this connection, to set up a system of information and mutual cooperation as described in the Annex to this Agreement.

If difficulties arise concerning the prices charged, consultations will be held at the request of either party, as promptly as possible, with a view to the adoption of appropriate corrective measures.

5. Consultations will be held at the request of either party on any question relating to the operation of this Agreement. The two parties may, by common accord, alter it by reference in particular to the trend of market prices, production, marketing or consumption of home-produced and imported cheeses.

6. During the first half of 1990, consultations will be held to review the operation of the Agreement and, if necessary, to adjust the quantities.

7. During the first half of 1991, consultations will be held to determine the quantities and import duties applicable for the subsequent years.

8. This Agreement may be terminated by a year's notice in writing.

If this provision is applied, each party shall retain the rights it had before the conclusion of the Agreement.

I should be obliged if you would confirm that your Government is in agreement with the above.

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.

On behalf of the Council of the European Communities (1) The certificate will be issued by ´´Norske Meierier" (Norwegian Dairies).

2. Letter from Norway Brussels, Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date which reads as follows:

´I have the honour to refer to the consultations held between the European Economic Community and the Kingdom of Norway under paragraph 6 of the Agreement concerning reciprocal trade in cheese, signed on 31 January 1986. In view of the common interest of the Community and Norway in offering consumers, in addition to home-produced cheese, other types of imported cheese, I propose that with effect from 1 January 1989 the arrangement contained in the said Agreement be replaced by the following provisions:

1. For the annual quantities of cheese listed below, the import duties may not exceed the following levels:

(a) on importation into the Community (excluding Spain and Portugal) Cheese falling within CN code 0406, originating in and coming from Norway and accompanied by an approved certificate (1):

Annual quantity (in tonnes) for the years 1989, 1990 and 1991 Import duty (in ECU/100 kg) - Jarlsberg, of a minimum fat content of 45 %, by weight, in the dry matter and of a dry matter content, by weight, of not less than 56 %, matured for at least three months: - Whole cheeses with rind (1) weighing from 8 kg to 12 kg - Rectangular blocks of a net weight not exceeding 7 kg (2) - Pieces packed in vacuum or in inert gas, of a net weight of not less than 150 g but not exceeding 1 kg (2) 2 020 55 - Ridder, of a minimum fat content of 60 %, by weight, in the dry matter and matured for at least four weeks: - Whole cheeses with rind (1) weighing from 1 kg to 2 kg - Pieces packed in vacuum or in inert gas, with rind on at least one side (1), of a net weight of not less than 150 g (2) (1) The expression ´´whole cheeses with rind" means cheeses of the conventional flat cylindrical shape. For the purposes of these provisions, the rind is defined as follows: the rind of such cheeses is the outer layer formed from the cheese itself, having a distinctly more solid consistency and a distinctly darker colour.

(2) The wording on the packing must be such as to enable this cheese to be identified by the consumer.

(b) on importation into Norway Annual quantity (in tonnes) for the years 1989, 1990 and 1991 Import duty (in Nkr/kg) - Cheese of all types and varieties, originating in and coming from the Community 2 160 1,20 2. Norway will take the necessary steps in order to:

- limit the issue of the certificates referred to in 1 (a) to the quantities agreed in this Agreement,

- ensure that the autonomous system of import licence allocation will be managed taking into account market requirements and in such a way that imports may take place regularly and that the quantities agreed for import into Norway from the Community can effectively be imported.

3. The Community and Norway will take steps to ensure that the benefits which they grant each other will not be jeopardized by other import measures.

4. The Community and Norway undertake, each on its own behalf, to ensure that the prices charged by their exporters are not such as to create difficulties on the importing country's market.

They agree, in this connection, to set up a system of information and mutual cooperation as described in the Annex to this Agreement.

If difficulties arise concerning the prices charged, consultations will be held at the request of either party, as promptly as possible, with a view to the adoption of appropriate corrective measures.

5. Consultations will be held at the request of either party on any question relating to the operation of this Agreement. The two parties may, by common accord, alter it by reference in particular to the trend of market prices, production, marketing or consumption of home-produced and imported cheeses.

6. During the first half of 1990, consultations will be held to review the operation of the Agreement and, if necessary, to adjust the quantities.

7. During the first half of 1991, consultations will be held to determine the quantities and import duties applicable for the subsequent years.

8. This Agreement may be terminated by a year's notice in writing.

If this provision is applied, each party shall retain the rights it had before the conclusion of the Agreement.

I should be obliged if you would confirm that your Government is in agreement with the above.

I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the contents of your letter.

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.

For The Government of the Kingdom of Norway (1) The certificate will be issued by ´Norske Meierier' (Norwegian Dairies).

EXCHANGE OF LETTERS concerning the non-application of monetary compensatory amounts to imports into the Community of cheese from Norway

1. Letter from the Community Brussels, . . . . .

Sir,

I have the honour to refer to the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters concluded this day between the European Economic Community and the Kingdom of Norway concerning reciprocal trade in cheese.

Further to the said Agreement, I can confirm that the Community will not apply any monetary compensatory amounts to cheese imports covered by the Agreement.

I should be obliged if you would acknowledge receipt of this letter.

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.

On behalf of the Council of the European Communities 2. Letter from Norway Brussels, . . . . . . . .

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of this day, which reads as follows:

´I have the honour to refer to the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters concluded this day between the European Economic Community and the Kingdom of Norway concerning reciprocal trade in cheese.

Further to the said Agreement, I can confirm that the Community will not apply any monetary compensatory amounts to cheese imports covered by the Agreement.

I should be obliged if you would acknowledge receipt of this letter.' Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.

For the Governement of the Kingdom of Norway