Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) opening a Community tariff quota for the import of boneless dried meat of bovine animals (presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

In 1972, the Community had granted to Switzerland a preference consisting in the exemption from the variable levies of imports of bovine dried meat of bovine animals ("viande des Grisons") originating in Switzerland as a counterpart to agricultural preferences granted by Switzerland to the EC.

As a result of the implementation of the Uruguay Round, and pending the conclusion of a new agreement with Switzerland, the existing preference to Switzerland has been maintained through a transitional measure providing for the exemption from the specific amounts of the customs duties fixed in the Common Customs Tariff.

The negotiations for a new Agreement on Trade in Agricultural Products between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation were concluded in December 1998 and the agreement signed on 21 June 1999. In the context of these negotiations, the Community has undertaken to open as from 1 July 1999 an autonomous tariff quota of a net volume of 700 tons per year for boneless dried meat of bovine animals. This quota should be opened on a pluriannual basis for a transitional period ending one year after the entry into force of the above agreement. With this undertaking, the existing regime will be abolished.

At the end of the transitional period ending one year after the entry into force of the above agreement, the conditions for preferential imports from Switzerland of boneless dried meat of bovine animals will be covered by the provisions of the said agreement.

The Commission recommends that the Council adopt the attached proposal for regulation.

Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) opening a Community tariff quota for the import of boneless dried meat of bovine animals

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 133 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

(1) Whereas in the context of the negotiations on an Agreement on Trade in Agricultural Products between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation, the Community has undertaken to open as from 1 July 1999 an autonomous tariff quota for boneless dried meat of bovine animals; whereas the Agreement has been signed on 21 June 1999;

(2) Whereas to comply with the terms of the Community's undertaking provision should be made for such preferential treatment to expire twelve months after the entry into force of the above agreement;

(3) Whereas for reasons of simplification this quota should be opened on a pluriannual basis for periods of twelve months each. Whereas, however, the last quota period might be shorter than twelve months according to the actual date of entry into force of the agreement; whereas in that event it is appropriate to authorise the Commission to adjust the available quantity under the tariff quota accordingly;

(4) Whereas at the end of the transitional period ending one year after the entry into force of the above agreement, the conditions for preferential imports from Switzerland of boneless dried meat of bovine animals will be covered by the provisions of that agreement;

(5) Whereas detailed rules for the application of this Regulation and, in particular, the provisions required for quota management should be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 27 of Council Regulation (EEC) N 805/68 of 27 June 1968 on the common organisation of the market in beef and veal [1],

[1] OJ No L 148, 28.6.1968, p. 24. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1633/98 (OJ No L 210, 28.7.1998, p. 17).

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

1. A Community tariff quota is hereby opened on a pluriannual basis for the period from 1 July one year to 30 June the year after for the import of a net volume of 700 tons per any such period of boneless dried meat of bovine animals, falling within CN Code ex 0210 20 90.

2. Under the quota referred to in paragraph 1 the specific amounts of the customs duties fixed in the Common Customs Tariff shall not apply.

Article 2

The detailed rules for this Regulation and, where appropriate, the proportionate reduction of the annual quantity in the case of a final tariff quota period of less than twelve months shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 27 of Regulation (EEC) No 805/68.

Article 3

This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

It shall apply from 1 July 1999 until the last day of the twelfth month following the month of entry into force of the Agreement on Trade in Agricultural Products between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

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