[pic] | COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES |

Brussels, 10.08.2006

COM(2006) 455 final

2006/0155 (ACC)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL REGULATION

on the modification of the definition for certain import quotas of high quality beef

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1. Only high quality beef cuts corresponding to the associated product definition can benefit from the Community preferential WTO tariff quotas. The Commission recommends the adoption of measures that would ensure compliance with the conditions for these tariff quotas.

2. Discussions with the relevant countries (Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay) exporting high quality beef within the EC WTO tariff quotas of 11 000 t, 5 000 t and 4 000 t respectively revealed the need to better adapt the import definitions for these quotas.

3. To clarify the situation, it is appropriate to allocate the relevant tariff quotas for which Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay are the sole suppliers to the respective country.

4. The adoption of this regulation is necessary in order to allow the Commission to subsequently adopt definitions which are more easily auditable and verifiable in accordance with the procedure foreseen in Council Regulation (EC) No 1254/1999[1] of 17 May 1999 on the common organisation of the market in beef and veal so as to allow for an ex post verification and audit of the definition compliance, without changing the basic import conditions.

2006/0155 (ACC)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL REGULATION

on the modification of the definition for certain import quotas 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,

Whereas:

5. It is advisable to adopt measures that would ensure compliance with the conditions for certain tariff quotas for imports of high quality beef into the Community.

6. Discussions with the countries exporting high quality beef within the EC WTO tariff quotas of 11 000 t, 5 000 t and 4 000 t respectively have revealed the need to better adapt the import definitions for these quotas.

7. To clarify the situation, it is appropriate to allocate the relevant tariff quotas for which Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay are the sole suppliers to the respective country.

8. The Commission should subsequently adopt definitions which are more easily auditable and verifiable in accordance with the procedure foreseen in Council Regulation (EC) No 1254/1999 of 17 May 1999 on the common organisation of the market in beef and veal[2] so as to allow for an ex post verification and audit of the definition compliance, without changing the basic import conditions,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The conditions for the EC WTO tariff quotas of 11 000 t, 5 000 t and 4 000 t respectively for imports of high quality beef of CN codes 0201 30 00 and 0206 10 95 into the Community shall apply as specified in the Annex to this regulation.

Article 2

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

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

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

ANNEX

Description of product | Tariff item numbers | Quota and in-quota tariff rate | Other terms and conditions |

Boneless meat of bovine animals, fresh or chilled Edible offal of bovine animals: thick skirt and thin skirt, fresh or chilled | ex 0201 30 00 ex 0206 10 95 | 11 000 t 20% | “High quality” meat of bovine animals, fresh or chilled, allocated to: Argentina Qualification for the quota is subject to conditions laid down in the relevant Community provisions |

Boneless meat of bovine animals, fresh or chilled Edible offal of bovine animals: thick skirt and thin skirt, fresh or chilled | ex 0201 30 00 ex 0206 10 95 | 5 000 t 20% | “High quality” meat of bovine animals, fresh or chilled, allocated to: Brazil Qualification for the quota is subject to conditions laid down in the relevant Community provisions |

Boneless meat of bovine animals, fresh or chilled Edible offal of bovine animals: thick skirt and thin skirt, fresh or chilled | ex 0201 30 00 ex 0206 10 95 | 4 000 t 20% | “High quality” meat of bovine animals, fresh or chilled, allocated to: Uruguay Qualification for the quota is subject to conditions laid down in the relevant Community provisions |

FINANCIAL STATEMENT |

1. | BUDGET HEADING: Chapter 10 – Agricultural Duties | APPROPRIATIONS B2006: €763,5 Mio |

2. | TITLE: Council Regulation on the modification of the definition for certain import quotas of high quality beef. |

3. | LEGAL BASIS: Article 133 of the Treaty |

4. | AIMS: To adopt measures in order to ensure compliance with the conditions for certain tariff quota for imports of high quality beef into the Community. |

5. | FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS (1) | 12 MONTH PERIOD (EUR million) | CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR 2006 (EUR million) | FOLLOWING FINANCIAL YEAR 2007 (EUR million) |

5.0 | EXPENDITURE – CHARGED TO THE EC BUDGET (REFUNDS/INTERVENTIONS) – NATIONAL AUTHORITIES – OTHER | – | – | – |

5.1 | REVENUE – OWN RESOURCES OF THE EC (LEVIES/CUSTOMS DUTIES) – NATIONAL | – | – | – |

2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |

5.0.1 | ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE | – | – | – | – |

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

5.2 | METHOD OF CALCULATION: – |

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 |

(1) OBSERVATIONS: The aim of this proposal is to adapt the definitions for certain import quotas of high quality beef so as to make them more easily auditable and verifiable. The measure is taken in order to minimise the risk of non compliance and it doesn’t change the basic import conditions. It is estimated that it will not have any financial impact on budgetary income. |

[1] OJ L 160, 26.6.1999, p. 21.

[2] OJ L 160, 26.6.1999, p. 21.