COUNCIL ESTIMATE of 4 March 1991 concerning young male bovine animals weighing 300 kilograms or less and intended for fattening for the period 1 January to 31 December 1991 (91/134/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 3577/90 (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, 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.

This estimate relates to the period 1 January to 31 December 1991. It has been prepared in the light of information available to the Commission and on the basis of the foreseeable trend for 1991 of supplies of, and requirements for, young male bovine animals intended for fattening in the Community.

1. Assessment of Community supplies for 1991

In view of the number of breeding females (cows and heifers) anticipated for 1991 (about 37 050 000), some 29 881 000 births of calves are expected during that year. Production over the year of male calves would therefore be about 14 925 000 head in 1991.

2. Estimated Community requirements for 1991

2.1. The number of slaughterings of male calves envisaged for 1991, on the basis of data collected from Member States, should be about 3 900 000 head.

2.2. The number of male animals intended for slaughter as fattened steers and young bulls or bulls for breeding should be about 11 100 000 head.

2.3. In the light of information provided by Member States and of the above estimate, it is expected that in 1991 the requirements of Community livestock farmers as regards young male bovine animals for fattening will be 11 100 000 head.

2.4. From the assessments set out in 2.1 and 2.3 it follows that the Community's overall requirements in male calves will be 15 000 000 head in 1991. These requirements will be only partly satisfied by Community supplies of these animals which, as shown in point 1, amount to about 14 925 000 head. Conclusion The estimated Community shortfall, on the basis of the abovementioned figures, of 75 000 head is a figure resulting from, among other things, the recent increase in veal imports for which the full levy is paid.

However, taking account of the average level of imports over the last three years for which figures are available, a level which is expected by the Commission for 1991 and which should reduce in 1991 the veal imports at the full levy, the estimate for 1991 is fixed at 198 000 head.

Done at Brussels, 4 March 1991.

For the Council

The President

R. STEICHEN

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

(2) OJ No L 353, 17. 12. 1990, p. 23.