COUNCIL ESTIMATE of 27 January 1992 concerning young male bovine animals weighing 300 kilograms or less and intended for fattening for the period 1 January to 31 December 1992 (92/59/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 1628/91 (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 each year before 1 December the Council, acting by a qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, must draw up an estimate of the young male bovine animals which may be imported under the system laid down by 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 order to establish the volume of imports to be carried out under this estimate as from 1981, in accordance with the Community's undertakings within the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), consultations are held between the Commission and representatives of some third countries before the annual draft estimate is put forward.

Before drawing up this estimate, the Commission held consultations with representatives of the following third countries: Hungary, Poland, Romania and Yugoslavia.

These consultations included an exchange of views on the beef and veal market as a whole, the production and consumption prospects within the Community and the scope for exports of young male bovine animals by the third countries.

This estimate relates to the period 1 January to 31 December 1992. It has been prepared in the light of information available to the Commission and on the basis of the foreseeable trend for 1992 of supplies of and requirements for young male bovine animals intended for fattening in the Community. The particular circumstances in the third countries can also be taken into account, while ensuring that the number of head to be imported in 1992 will be limited to the traditional level (average for the years 1987, 1988 and 1989), i.e. to 425 000 head. The Commission introduced a surveillance system to this end and will continue to apply the safeguard measures, should import forecasts show that the number could be exceeded.

1. Assessment of Community supplies for 1992

In view of the number of breeding females (cows and heifers) anticipated for 1992 (about 36 950 000), some 29 218 000 births of calves are expected during that year. Production over the year of male calves would therefore be about 14 600 000 head in 1992.

2. Estimated Community requirements for 1992

2.1. The number of slaughterings of male calves envisaged for 1992, on the basis of data collected from Member States, should be about 4 000 000 head.

2.2. The number of male animals intended for slaughter, steers, fattened young bulls or bulls for breeding should be about 10 000 000 head.

2.3. In the light of information provided by Member States and of the above, it is expected that in 1992 the requirements of Community livestock farmers as regards young male bovine animals for fattening will be 10 000 000 head.

2.4. From the considerations set out in 2.1 and 2.3, it follows that the Community's overall requirements in male calves will be 14 000 000 head in 1992. These requirements may be wholly satisfied by Community supplies of these animals which, as shown in point 1, amount to about 14 600 000 head. Conclusion In the light of the above estimates, a Community surplus may be expected in 1992. Furthermore, the Commission has proposed the introduction of a premium for the withdrawal from production of young male calves of dairy breeds with a view to reducing the number of young calves available.

However, in order for harmonious trade relations to be maintained with the third countries concerned, the number of young bovine animals which may be imported under the estimated supply balance for 1992 should be fixed at the same level, i.e. 198 000 head, while taking into account the overall level of traditional imports which the Commission contemplates in 1992. Done at Brussels, 27 January 1992. For the Council

The President

A. MARQUES DA CUNHA

(1) OJ No L 148, 28. 6. 1968, p. 24. (2) OJ No L 150, 15. 6. 1991, p. 16.