EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1. The Grains Trade Convention 1995 (hereinafter: the “Convention”) was concluded by the Community by Council Decision 96/88/EC[1] until 30 June 1998 and, since then, it has been regularly extended. The Convention was last extended by decision of the International Grains Council in June 2013 and remains into force until 30 June 2015.

2. A further extension of the Convention by up to two years is in the interest of the Union.

3. The extension of the Convention entails the prolongation of the EU contribution to the administrative budget of the International Grains Council, which covers both the Grains Trade Convention 1995 and the Food Aid Convention 1999. That contribution is budgeted under item 05 06 01 of the EU budget (International agricultural agreements).

4. The purpose of this proposal is to seek the Council’s authorisation to the Commission to vote, on behalf of the Union, in favour of the extension of the Grains Trade Convention up to 30 June 2017 within the International Grains Council.

2015/0031 (NLE)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

establishing the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the International Grains Council with respect to the extension of the Grains Trade Convention 1995

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 207 in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) The Grains Trade Convention 1995 was concluded by Council Decision 96/88/EC[2] and was regularly extended for further periods of two years. That Convention was extended last time by decision of the International Grains Council in June 2013 and remains in force until 30 June 2015. A further extension is in the interest of the Union. The Commission, which represents the Union within the International Grains Council, should therefore be authorised to vote in favour of such extension,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The position to be taken on behalf of the Union within the International Grains Council shall be to vote in favour of the extension of the Grains Trade Convention 1995 for a further period of up to two years.

The Commission is hereby authorised to express that position within the International Grains Council.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT

FINANCIAL STATEMENT || FinSt/14/ MK/aj/4692291

6.221.2015.1

|| DATE: 17/12/2014

1. || BUDGET HEADING: Chapter 05 06 INTERNATIONAL ASPECTS OF ‘AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT’ POLICY AREA 05 06 01 International agricultural agreements || APPROPRIATIONS: DB2015: 4,675,000 €

2. || TITLE: Proposal for a Council Decision establishing the position to be taken by the European Union within the International Grains Council with respect to the extension of the Grains Trade Convention 1995.

3. || LEGAL BASIS: Article 207 in conjunction with Article 218 (9) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union

4. || AIMS: Extension of the existing Grains Trade Convention by two more years (1.7.2015 to 30.06.2017).

5. || FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS || 12 MONTH PERIOD (EUR) || CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR 2014 (EUR) || FOLLOWING FINANCIAL YEAR 2015 (EUR)

5.0 || EXPENDITURE - CHARGED TO THE EU BUDGET (REFUNDS/INTERVENTIONS) - NATIONAL AUTHORITIES - OTHER || || 356,601 || 405,000

5.1 || REVENUE - OWN RESOURCES OF THE EU (LEVIES/CUSTOMS DUTIES) - NATIONAL || || ||

|| || 2016 || 2017 || ||

5.0.1 || ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE || 443,000 || 470,000 || ||

5.1.1 || ESTIMATED REVENUE || || || ||

5.2 || METHOD OF CALCULATION: Based on assumptions on an estimated number of votes of the EU (varies each year), on an estimated amount to be paid per vote in GBP.

6.0 || CAN THE PROJECT BE FINANCED FROM APPROPRIATIONS ENTERED IN THE RELEVANT CHAPTER OF THE CURRENT BUDGET? || YES NO

6.1 || CAN THE PROJECT BE FINANCED BY TRANSFER BETWEEN CHAPTERS OF THE CURRENT BUDGET? || YES NO

6.2 || WILL A SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET BE NECESSARY? || YES NO

6.3 || WILL APPROPRIATIONS NEED TO BE ENTERED IN FUTURE BUDGETS? || YES NO

OBSERVATIONS: The amount to be effectively paid can vary depending on the final number of votes the EU gets attributed to, the amount to be paid per vote in GBP and on the exchange rate €/ GBP.

[1] OJ L 21, 27.1.1996, p. 47.

[2] OJ L 21, 27.1.1996, p. 47.