Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION opening an autonomous quota for imports of high-quality beef

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

In spite of the difficulties experienced in 2001, the beef market is now on the way to becoming more stable. Demand of consumers in the Community is increasing specially on high-quality beef.

The Community's interest is developing harmonious trade relations with third countries. Some of them are classified by the Commission as countries producing high-quality beef. The BSE crisis prevented that some of these countries benefit from the high-quality beef arrangements. Therefore exports of high-quality beef are very modest given the application of the full tariff to meat products from these countries.

An additional reduced-tariff-quota on high-quality beef would satisfy at the same time the consumer interests as well as supplier interests and it would not have a significant impact on the total volume of beef imports into the Community.

Consequently, the Commission proposes the opening of an autonomous erga omnes tariff quota of 1000 tonnes of high-quality fresh, chilled or frozen beef at a duty-rate of 20% ad valorem.

In order to give guaranties of equal and continuous access for all operators concerned in the Community to the said quota an appropriate monitoring of the quota should be ensured. To this end, the utilisation of the quota should be based on the presentation of a certificate of authenticity guaranteeing the type and origin of the products.

2002/0050 (ACC)

Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION opening an autonomous quota for imports of high-quality beef

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],

[1] OJ C ..., ..., p. ...

Whereas:

(1) In view of the Community's interest in developing harmonious trade relations with third countries, provision should be made for opening, as and autonomous measure, a Community import tariff quota of 1000 tonnes of high-quality fresh, chilled or frozen beef.

(2) In spite of the difficulties experienced in 2001, the beef market is now on the way to becoming more stable. Demand of consumers in the Community is increasing, especially for high-quality beef. An additional reduced-tariff-quota for high-quality beef would satisfy at the same time the consumer interests as well as supplier interests. It would not have a significant impact on the total volume of beef imports into the Community.

(3) All operators concerned in the Community should be offered equal and continuous access to that quota. It is also necessary to insure appropriate monitoring. To this end, the utilisation of the quota should be based on the presentation of a certificate of authenticity guaranteeing the type and origin of the products.

(4) Under Article 32 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1254/1999 of 17 May 1999 on the common organisation of the market in beef and veal [2], tariff quotas for the products covered by the present Regulation are to be administered by the Commission in accordance with detailed rules adopted under the procedure laid down in Article 43 of Regulation (EC) No 1254/1999,

[2] OJ L 160, 26.6.1999, p. 21. Regulation last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2345/2001 (OJ L 315, 1.12.2001, p. 29).

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

1. An annual Community import tariff quota of 1000 tonnes, expressed in product weight, of high-quality fresh, chilled or frozen beef falling within NC codes 0201 3000 and 0202 3090 of the Common Customs Tariff is opened.

2. The applicable duty for the quota shall be 20% ad valorem.

3. The quota year shall run from 1 July to 30 June.

Article 2

Detailed rules for the application of this Regulation, adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 43 of Regulation (EC) No 1254/1999, shall include provisions making the utilisation of the quota referred to in Article 1 subject to the presentation of a certificate of authenticity guaranteeing the type and origin of the products.

Article 3

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

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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