COUNCIL ESTIMATE of 12 December 1994 concerning young male bovine animals weighing 300 kilograms or less and intended for fattening for the period 1 January to 30 June 1995 (94/791/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 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), and in particular Article 13 (2) 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 must draw up an estimate of the young male bovine animals which may be imported under the arrangements laid down in that Article. This estimate must 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 under this estimate, in accordance with the Community's undertakings within the framework of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), consultations are held between the Commission and representatives of some non-member countries before the annual draft estimate is put forward. The Commission proposed consultations with representatives of the following non-member countries: Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Romania, Bulgaria and the Republic of Slovenia.

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 non-member countries.

This estimate relates only to the period 1 January to 30 June 1995, since this type of estimate is to be replaced by a tariff quota within the framework of the Uruguay Round from 1 July 1995. It has been prepared in the light of information available to the Commission and on the basis of the foreseeable trend for 1995 of supplies of and requirements for young male bovine animals intended for fattening in the Community. The Commission will continue to apply appropriate management measures if forecasts suggest that imports of young bovine animals into the Community could exceed the traditional 425 000 head per year and that such imports of beef could threaten seriously to disturb the Community market.

It should be noted that this estimate is likely to be supplemented in the event of an enlargement of the European Union on 1 January 1995.

I. Assessment of Community supplies for 1995

In view of the number of breeding females (cows and heifers) anticipated for 1995 (about 36 000 000), some 28 300 000 births of calves are expected during that year. Production over the year of male calves would therefore be about 14 150 000 head.

II. Estimated Community requirements for 1995

1. On the basis of data collected from the Member States, the number of slaughterings of male calves envisaged for 1995 should be about 4 000 000 head.

2. The number of male animals intended for slaughter (steers, fattened young bulls or bulls for breeding) should be about 10 250 000 head.

3. In the light of information provided by the Member States and of the above, it is expected that in 1995 the requirements of Community livestock farmers as regards young male bovine animals for fattening will be 10 250 000 head.

4. From the considerations set out in 1 and 3 it follows that the Community's overall requirements for male calves will be 14 250 000 head in 1995.

Conclusion In view of the above estimates and the tariff quota to be applied from 1 July 1995, a slight Community shortfall of around 50 000 head may be expected during the period 1 January to 30 June 1995.

However, in order to maintain harmonious trade relations with the non-member countries concerned, as in previous years, the number of young male bovine animals which may be imported under the estimated supply balance for the period in question should be fixed on the basis of an annual reference level of 198 000 head, taking account of the traditional level of imports of young bovine animals which the Commission envisages for 1995. The estimate for the first half of 1995 will therefore be fixed at 99 000 head.

Done at Brussels, 12 December 1994.

For the Council

The President

J. BORCHERT

(1) OJ No L 148, 28. 6. 1968, p. 24. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1884/94 (OJ No L 197, 30. 7. 1994, p. 27).