COUNCIL ESTIMATE of 24 January 1994 concerning young male bovine animals weighing 300 kilograms or less and intended for fattening for the period 1 January to 31 December 1994 (94/36/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 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal form 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 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 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, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Romania 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 third countries.

This estimate relates to the period 1 January to 31 December 1994. It has been prepared in the light of information available to the Commission and on the basis of the foreseeable trend for 1994 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 1994 will be limited to the traditional level of 425 000 head. To that end, the Commission, acting pursuant to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1157/92 (2), introduced management measures concerning imports of young bovine animals weighing 80 kilograms or less which replaced the safeguard clause in 1992. It will continue to apply appropriate management measures if forecasts suggest that imports into the Community could exceed 425 000 head and that such imports of beef could threaten seriously to disturb the Community market.

1. Assessment of Community supplies for 1994

In view of the number of breeding females (cows and heifers) anticipated for 1994 (about 36 000 000), some 28 600 000 births of calves are expected during that year. Production over the year of male calves would therefore be about 14 300 000 head in 1994.

2. Estimated Community requirements for 1994

2.1. On the basis of data collected from the Member States, the number of slaughterings of male calves envisaged for 1994 should be about 4 200 000 head.

2.2. The number of male animals intended for slaughter, steers, fattened young bulls or bulls for breeding should be about 10 200 000 head.

2.3. In the light of information provided by the Member States and of the above, it is expected that in 1994 the requirements of Community livestock farmers as regards young male bovine animals for fattening will be 10 200 000 head.

2.4. From the considerations set out in points 2.1 and 2.3 it follows that the Community's overall requirements in male calves will be 14 400 000 head in 1994.

These requirements cannot be wholly satisfied by Community supplies of these animals which, as demonstrated in point 1, amount to about 14 300 000 head.

CONCLUSION In the light of the above estimates, a slight Community shortfall may be expected in 1994.

However, in order to maintain harmonious trade relations with the third countries concerned, as in 1993 the number of young bovine animals which may be imported under the estimated supply balance for 1994 should be fixed at the same level, i.e. 198 000 head, the overall level of traditional imports which the Commission contemplates taking into account in 1994.

Done at Brussels, 24 January 1994.

For the Council

The President

G. MORAITIS

(1) OJ No L 148, 28. 6. 1968, p. 24. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 125/93 (OJ No L 18, 27. 1. 1993, p. 7).

(2) OJ No L 122, 7. 5. 1992, p. 4.