WRITTEN QUESTION E-1584/98

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission

(25 May 1998)

Subject: Customs tariffs applicable to slate

Will the Commission say what criteria it uses to determine the different customs tariffs applicable to Community imports of slate from both countries enjoying preferential tariff arrangements and those not belonging to this group?

Joint answer

to Written Questions E-1579/98, E-1581/98, E-1582/98, E-1583/98 and E-1584/98 given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission

(25 June 1998)

Imports of slate from Eastern European countries applying to join the European Union are very small. In 1997, only the following exported slate to the Community: Bulgaria (528 tonnes); the Czech Republic (263 tonnes), and Poland (32 tonnes). Altogether, these imports represented some 2,7 % of all worked slate imported into the Community in 1997.

Under the Europe Agreements, Eastern European countries are already permitted to export slate to the Community at zero rate of duty. No changes to the existing tariff arrangements are planned.

Most imports of worked slate from countries with preferential tariff arrangements are zero-rated. This applies not only to associated countries in Eastern Europe, but to African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States linked to the Community by the Lomé Convention and other developing countries benefiting from the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP). The latter are covered because slate is considered a non-sensitive product.

The customs duties applied to Community exports to major exporting countries which benefit from preferential arrangements are as follows:

China: 20 %

Brazil: 9 %

India: 40 % (+18 % countervailing duties)

Turkey: 0 %

South Africa: 0 %

Bulgaria: 0 %

Norway: 0 %

Imports of worked slate from countries which do not benefit from preferential tariff arrangements are subject to customs duty at 2,1 % (as of 1998). However, in accordance with undertakings given by the Community in the course of the Uruguay Round, this is set to be reduced to 1,7 % in 1999, when the transition period for the Round ends.

The following countries do not benefit from preferential arrangements but are significant exporters of slate to the Community at the following rates of duty:

Canada: 0 % (roofing slate) and 6,5 % (other slate)

United States: 4 % (roofing slate) and 0,7 % (other slate)

These are the 1998 rates.

In 1999, when the transition period agreed in the Uruguay Round expires, the rates will be as follows:

Canada: 0 % and 6,5 %

United States: 3,3 % and 0 %

Market access strategy is geared to opening markets to dismantle obstacles to European exports. European industries and the Member States are urged to inform the Commission of any obstacle hampering or reducing their opportunities for exports to non-Community countries.

The Commission has set up an interactive database to coordinate information on trade barriers; it is easily accessible by the public and business via the Internet.

Should a major barrier to exports be identified, the Community will have to decide on the best way of tackling the problem. The Community's approach is not to try to establish new rules for international trade but to get its trading partners to adhere to and comply with the numerous and complex trade obligations already existing under bilateral agreements (such as the Europe Agreements) and multilateral agreements (such as those achieved under the aegis of the World Trade Organisation) concluded by the Community.

The Commission has sent copies of two brochures giving more detailed information on the objectives and instruments of market access strategy to the Honourable Member and Parliament's General Secretariat.

Non-preferential customs duties on slate imports, as on other products, are set as a rule via multilateral negotiations under the auspices of the World Trade Organisation. This is the basis on which the Community provides for exceptions, and even total or partial relief, in setting preferential arrangements. The preference granted varies according to the specific context (GSP, ACP, etc.).