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COUNCIL ESTIMATE

of 8 February 1988

concerning young male bovine animals weighing 300 kilograms or less and intended for fattening for the period 1 January to 31 December 1988

(88/81/EEC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 805/68 of 27 June 1968 on the common organization of the market in beef and veal (1), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 467/87 (2), and in particular Article 13 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

HAS ADOPTED THIS ESTIMATE:

Introduction

Article 13 (2) of Regulation (EEC) No 805/68 provides that the Council shall, each year before 1 December, draw up, on a proposal from the Commission and by qualified majority vote, an estimate of the young male bovine animals which may be imported under the system laid down under the said Article. This estimate is to take account both of the forecast supplies of young bovine animals intended for fattening within the Community and of Community livestock farmers' requirements. In addition, pursuant to Article 31, the aforementioned Regulation must be applied in such a way that appropriate account is taken, at the same time, of the objectives set out in Articles 39 and 110 of the Treaty.

1

Community supplies of young bovine animals

This estimate covers the period 1 January to 31 December 1988. It has been prepared in the light of information available to the Commission and on the basis of the foreseeable trend for 1988 of supplies of and requirements for young male bovine animals intended for fattening in the Community.

In view of the number of breeding females (cows and heifers) anticipated for 1988 (about 36 720 000), some 29 560 000 births of calves are expected during that year. Production over the year of male calves would therefore be about 14 780 000 head.

II

Community requirements

The number of slaughterings of male calves envisaged for 1988 on the basis of data collected from Member States should be about 4 000 000 head.

The number of male animals intended for slaughter as oxen, fattened young bulls and bulls for breeding should be about 10 944 000 head.

In the light of information provided by Member States and of the above estimates, it is expected that in 1988 the requirements of Community livestock farmers as regards young male bovine animals for fattening will be 10 994 000 head.

It follows from the foregoing that the Community's overall requirements in male calves will be 14 944 000 head in 1988.

These requirements will be only partly satisfied by Community supplies of these animals, which amount to about 14 780 000 head.

The foreseeable Community shortfall for 1988 in male calves for fattening can therefore be estimated as 164 000 head.

Conclusion

The estimate for young male bovine animals weighing 300 kilograms or less intended for fattening which may be imported in 1988 under the arrangements provided for in Article 13 of Regulation (EEC) No 805/68 is fixed at 164 000 head.

Done at Brussels, 8 February 1988.

For the Council

The President

I. KIECHLE

(1) OJ No L 148, 28. 6. 1968, p. 24.

(2) OJ No L 48, 17. 2. 1987, p. 1.