Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) adopting autonomous and transitional measures for the free trade agreements with Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in certain processed agricultural products
Date: 1996-07-01
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Baltic States, agricultural product, agro-industry, liberalisation of trade, tariff quota, trade agreement (EU)

COMMISSION  OF THE EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES 

Brussels,  01.07.1996 
COM(%)310  final 

96/0169  (ACC) 

Proposal  for  a 

COUNCIL  REGULATION  (EC) 

adopting  autonomous  and transitional  measures  for  the free  trade agreements  with 
Lithuania,  Latvia and Estonia  in certain processed  agricultural  products 

(presented  by  the  Commission) 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

1. 

2. 

3. 

Under Articles  76,  102 and  128 of  the Act  ôf  Accession,  Austria,  Finland and 
Sweden must apply,  as from  1 January  1995,  the provisions  of  the  preferential 
agreements  concluded  by  the  Community  with  certain  third  countries 
(Lithuania,  Latvia  and  Estonia),  it  being  understood  that  all  the  amendments 
required as a result of enlargement will be the subject of  additional protocols to 
be negotiated with the third countries in question. 

However,  the above articles stipulate that where the protocols are not concluded 
by  1 January  1995  the  Community  must  take  the  necessary  steps  to  deal  with 
this situation. 

On  19  June  1995  the  Council  adopted  the  negotiating  directives  for  the  free 
trade  agreements  between  the  EU  and  Lithuania,  Latvia  and  Estonia.  These 
directives  state  that  the  agreements  should  be  adapted  to  take  account  of 
enlargement  of  the  European Union and that preferences  should  be  aligned  on 
those granted to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. 

These  directives  also  referred  to  improved  market  access,  and  in  this  context 
concessions  have  been  granted.  However,  to  take  account  of  the  special 
situation of  Lithuania,  Latvia  and Estonia,  it  was  thought  preferable  that these 
amendments should be ratified by joint committee decision. 

Consequently,  autonomous transitional measures are essential  to take account of 
trade  arrangements  which  already  existed  in  processed  agricultural  produce 
between  the  new  Member  States  and  the  third  countries  in  question,  to 
incorporate the new concessions and to align preferences  on those granted to the 
countries of Central and Eastern Europe. 

Proposal  for a 

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) 

adopting autonomous and transitional  measures for the free  trade agreements with 
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in certain processed agricultural  products 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European  Community,  and  in  particular 
Article  113 thereof, 

Having regard to the Act of  Accession  of Austria, Finland and Sweden, 

Having  regard to the proposal  of the Commission, 

Whereas, in the framework of the free trade Agreements between the European Community, 
on  the  one  hand,  and  Lithuania,  Latvia  and  Estonia,  on  the  other  hand,  concessions 
regarding  certain processed  agricultural  products have been granted to those countries; 

Whereas, following the accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden, the said concessions need 
to  be  adapted  to  take  account  in  particular  of  the  trade  arrangements  which  existed  in 
processed agricultural produce between Austria, Finland and Sweden, on the one hand, and 
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, on the other; 

Whereas  Council  Decision  of  19  June  1995  adopting  the  negotiating  directives  for  the 
adaptation of the Europe agreements, free trade agreements and agreements on tariff quotas 
for  certain  wines  following  enlargement  states that the  line  to  be  followed  regarding  the 
adaptation of the agreements with Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia on processed agricultural 
produce  should take account of  enlargement  of the European Union  and align  preferences 
on those granted to the countries of  Central  and Eastern Europe; 

Whereas  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  3064/95'  providing  for  the  adjustment,  as  an 
autonomous  and  transitional  measure,  of  concessions  for  certain  processed  agricultural 
products  provided  for  in  the  Europe  Agreements  to  take  account  of  the  Agreement  on 
Agriculture concluded during the Uruguay Round Multilateral Trade Negotiations has been 
extended by Council  Regulation  (EC) No  ....; 

Whereas the negotiations on improved concessions granted to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania 
have been  finalized;  whereas these  new  concessions  must be ratified  by  decision  of  each 
Joint Committee, as per the agreements; whereas, however, there is nothing to stop the new 
concessions being granted on a provisional  and autonomous basis as of now; 

1  JO L328, 30.12.1995, p.2 

3 

Whereas  negotiations  are  in progress  to  this  end  v/ith  the  said  third  countries  with a 
view to concluding additional protocols to the abovementioned agreements; 

Whereas,  however,  these  additional  protocols  have  not been  able  to  enter  into  force; 
whereas,  under the circumstances  and pursuant to Articles  76,  102 and  128 of  the Act 
of  Accession,  the  Community  must take  the  necessary  steps  to  remedy  this  situation; 
whereas  these  steps  must  take  the  form  of  autonomous  Community  tariff  quotas 
equivalent  to  the  preferential  tariff  concessions  granted  by  the  European  Union  or 
otherwise  the  conventional  preferential  tariff  concessions  applied  by  Austria,  Finland 
and Sweden, 

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 

Article 1 

1. 

2. 

3. 

From  1 July  to  31  December  1996 the goods  originating  from  Lithuania  listed 
in  Annex  I  to  this  Regulation  shall  be  subject  to  the  tariff  quotas  and 
preferential  duties mentioned in that Annex.  The basic amounts to be taken into 
consideration  in calculating  the reduced  agricultural  components  and additional 
duties applicable to the importation into the Community are given in Annex II. 

From  1 July  to  31  December  1996  the goods  originating  from  Latvia  listed  in 
Annex  I to this  Regulation  shall  be subject  to the tariff  quotas  and  preferential 
duties  mentioned 
in  that  Annex.  The  basic  amounts  to  be  taken  into 
consideration  in calculating  the reduced agricultural  components  and  additional 
duties applicable to the importation into the Community are given in Annex II. 

From  1 July to 31  December  1996 the goods  originating  from  Estonia  listed  in 
Annex  I to this  Regulation  shall  be subject  to  the  tariff  quotas  and  preferential 
in  that  Annex.  The  basic  amounts  to  be  taken  into 
duties  mentioned 
consideration  in calculating  the reduced  agricultural  components  and additional 
duties applicable to the importation into the Community are given in Annex II. 

Article 2 

The  Annexes  to  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  30652  of  22  December  1995  shall  be 
cancelled  and replaced by the Annexes to this Regulation. 

Article 3 

The quotas referred to in Article 1 shall be administered by the Commission in accordance 
with the provisions set out in Article 2 of  Council  Regulation  (EC) No 2178/95.3 

Article 4 

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

It shall  apply  with effect  from  1 July  1996. 

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

Done at 

For the Council 

The President 

2 
3 

OJL  328,  30.12.1995, p. 24 

OJL  223, 20.09.1995, p. 1 

D 

ANNEX I 

Tariff  quotas/suspensions  and duties applicable  to the importation  into the Community 
of goods originating  in Lithuania 

Serial No 

CNCode 

Duty applicable as 
from  1.7.1996 

0505  10 90 
1506 00 00 
1518 00 10 
1518 00 31 
1518 00 39 
1518 00 91 
1518 00 95 
1518 00 99 
17049071 
17049075 
1806 90 
2203 00 
2208 60 11 

{ 
{ 

09.6533 

{ 

{ 
{ 
{ 

09.6501 

09.6503 
09.6528 
09.6525 

09.6534 

2402 20 90 

0 
0 
6%} 
0} 
4%} 
6%} 
o  } 
6% } 
0+RAC  max 24.2  % +ad  s/z  } 
0+RAC  max 24.2  %+ad s/z  } 
0+RAC  max 24.2  % +ad  s/z  } 
6% 
0.79 ecu/% vol/hl +  3.08 
ecu/hi 
39.6% 

Tariff  quota/ 
suspension 

suspension 
suspension 

300 t 

400 t 

500 t 
400 t 
330 t 

40 t 

NB:  The  reduced  agricultural  component  (RAC)  is  calculated  on  the  basis  of  the 
amounts shown in Annex II. 

ANNEX II 

PROCESSED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS 

BASIC AMOUNTS TO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION IN CALCULATING 
AGRICULTURAL COMPONENTS AND ADDITIONAL DUTIES 

I ecus/ECU/Ecu/ 
ecu/écus/ecua/ 
100 kg 

/ Byg / Gerste /  Kpiedpi /Barley/  Orge / Orzo / Gerst / Cevada  / Ohra 

Trigo blando  / Blod hvede / Weichweizen /  MOXOKO orrapi / Common wheat /  Blé 
tendre / Grano tenero /  Zachte tarwe / Trigo mole / Tavallinen vehna / Vete 
Trigo duro /Hard  hvede / Hartweizen  /IKATJPÔ orrâpi / Durum wheat / Blé dur  /Grano 
duro /Durum tarwe / Trigo duro /Durumvehna / Durumvete 
Centeno/ Rug / Roggen /ItKaXn. /Rye /Seigle / Segala / Rogge / Centeio / Ruis /Râg 
Cebada 
/Korn 
Maiz / Majs  / Mais /  KaAaunoKi / Maize / Maïs / Granturco / Mai's / Milho / Maissi  / 
Majs 
Arroz descascarillado de grano  largo / Ris, afskallet,  langkornet  / Reis,  langkôrnig, 
geschâlt / Anocp\oiu)|iévo pûÇi uaKpôanepuo /  Long-grain husked  rice / Riz décortiqué à 
grains longs / Riso semigreggio a grani lunghi / Langkorrelige  gedopte rijst  /  Arroz 
em peliculas de grâos  longos / Pitkajyvàinen esikuorittu  riisi / Ris,  skalat lângkornigt 
Leche desnatada en polvo / Skummetmaelkspulver / Magermilchpulver  / 
ArtopouTupcoiiEvo yoAa ae aKÔvn. /  Skimmed-milk powder / Lait érémé en poudre / 
Latte scremato  in polvere /  Magere-melkpoeder  / Leite desnatado em pô/  Rasvaton 
maitojauhe  /  Slmmmjôlkspulver 
Leche entera en polvo /  Sodmaelkspulver / Vollmilchpulver  /  riXnpec;yàka ae aKôvrj / 
Whole-milk powder  /  Lait entier en poudre / Latte intero in polvere / 
Vollemelkpoeder /  Leite inteiro ein pô / Rasvainen maitojauhe  /  Mjôlkpulver 
Mantequilla  /  Smor /  Butter  /  Boûrupo / Butter / Beurre / Burro / Boter / Manteiga  / 
Voi /  Smôr 
Azùcar bianco / Hvidt  sukker  / Weifizucker  / AeuKtî Çàxapn.  / White sugar /  Sucre 
blanc /  Zucchero bianco / Witte suiker / Açùcar branco / Valkoinen  sokeri / Vitt 
socker 

9,148 

14,199 

8,914~ 
8,75f 

7,408 

25,441 

27,436 

35,869 

52,129 

32,565 

lr 

ANNEX III 

Tariff  quotas/suspensions  and duties applicable  to  the  importation  into the Community 
of goods originating  in Latvia 

Serial No 

CN  Code 

Duty applicable as 
from  1.7.1996 

Tariff  quota/ 
suspension 

09.6535 

{ 

{ 

{ 
{ 

09.6536 

{ 

{ 

09.6537 

09.6538 

09,6513 

09.6528 
09.6525 
09.6529 

1704 90 65 
1704 90 71 
1704 90 75 
1806 32 90 
1806 90 11 
1806 90 19 
190190  11 
1901 90 19 
1901 90 99 
1901 90 91 
1905 30 11 
1905 30 19 
1905 30 30 
1905 30 51 
1905 30 59 
1905 30 91 
1905 30 99 
2105 00  10 
2105 00 91 
2105 00 99 
2101  10 
2203 00 
2208 60 11 
2208 70 10 

0+RAC  max 24.2  % +ad  s/z } 
0+RAC  max 24.2  % +ad  s/z } 
0+RAC  max 24.2  % +ad  s/z } 
0+RAC  max 24.2  % +ad  s/z } 
0+RAC  max 24.2  % +ad  s/z } 
0+RAC  max 24.2  %+ad  s/z } 
0+RAC} 
0+RAC} 
0+RAC} 
8.8%  } 
0+RAC  max 31.4  %+ad  s/z } 
0+RAC  max 31.4  %+ad  s/z } 
0+RAC  max 31.4  %+ad  s/z} 
0+RAC  max 31.4  %+ad  s/z } 
0+RAC  max 31.4  %+ad  s/z } 
0+RAC  max 26.9  % +ad  f/m  } 
0+RAC  max 31.4  %+ad  s/z } 
0+RAC  max 24.5  %+ad  s/z } 
0+RAC  max 24  % +ad  s/z } 
0+RAC  max 23.9  %+ad  s/z } 
0 
5.3% 
0.79  ecu/%  vol/hl + 3.08 euc/hl 
0.96  ecu/%  vp;hl  +6.16  ecu/hi 

250 t 

500 t 

200 t 

200 t 

28 t 

suspension 
500 t 
330 t 
11 t 

NB:  The  reduced  agricultural  component  (RAC)  is  calculated  on  the  basis  of  the 
amounts shown in Annex II. 

s 

ANNEX IV 

Tariff  quotas/suspensions  and duties applicable  to the importation  into the Community 
of goods originating in Estonia 

Tariff  quota/ 
suspension 

suspension 
suspension 
150 t 

28 t 
500 t 

Serial  No 

CNCode 

Duty applicable as 
from  1.7.1996 

09.6515 

09.6530 
09.6517 

1521  10 90 
1521 90 99 
17041011 
17041019 
17049071 
17049075 
18050000 
18061015 
18061020 
18061030 
18061090 
18062010 
18062030 
18062050 
18062070 
18062080 
18062095 
18063100 
180632 
180690 

} 
} 

0 
0 
0+RAC  max 21.3% 
0+RAC max 21.3% 
0+RAC max 24.2  % +ad  s/z  } 
0+RAC  max 24.2  %+ad s/z  } 
0 
0 
0+RAC 
0+RAC 
0+RAC 
0+RAC  max 24.2  % +ad  s/z  } 
0+RAC  max 24.2  %+ad  s/z  } 
0+RAC  max 24.2  %+ad s/z  } 
0+RAC 
0+RAC  max 24.2  % +ad  s/z  } 
0+RAC  max 24.2  % +ad  s/z  } 
0+RAC  max 24.2  % +ad  s/z  } 
0+RAC max 24.2  % +ad  s/z  } 
0+RAC  max 24.2  % +ad  s/z  } 

} 
} 
} 
} 

NB:  The  reduced  agricultural  component  (RAC)  is  calculated  on  the  basis  of  the 
amounts shown in Annex II. 

1 

ANNEX IV (continued) 

Tariff  quotas/suspensions  and duties applicable  to the importation  into  the  Community 
of goods originating  in Estonia 

Serial  No 

CN Code 

Duty  applicable as 
from  1.7.1996 

09.6519 

.... 
1 

09.6521 
09.6539 
09.6523 

09.6531 
09.6525 
09.6529 
09.6532 
09.6534 

19051000 
190520 
19053011 
19053019 
19053030 
19053051 
19053059 
19053091 
19053099 
190540 
19059010 
19059020 
19059030 
19059040 
19059045 
19059055 
19059060 
19059090 
21021039 
21039090 
21050010 
21050091 
21050099 
122011019 
22021000 
220300 
22086011 
22087010 
22089069 
24022090 

} 
0+RAC 
0+RAC 
} 
0+RAC  max 31.4  % +ad  s/z  } 
0+RAC  max 31.4  %+ad s/z  } 
0+RAC max 31.4  %+ad s/z  } 
0+RAC  max 31.4  %+ad s/z  } 
0+RAC  max 31.4  %+ad  s/z  } 
0+RAC  max 26.9  % +ad  f/m  } 
0+RAC  max 31.4  %+ad  s/z  } 
0+RAC 
0+RAC 
0+RAC 
0+RAC 
0+RAC max 26.9  % +ad  f/m } 
0+RAC  max 26.9  % +ad  f/m  } 
0+RAC  max 26.9  % +ad  f/m  } 
| 0+RAC  max 31.4  % +ad  f/m  } 
0+RAC  max 26.9  %+ad  f/m  } 
[10%+RAC 
6 % 
0+RAC  max 24.5  %  +ad  sz/ } 
0+RAC  max 24  % +ad  s/z } 
0+RAC  max 23.9  %  +ad  s/z } 

JO 
0 
5.3 % 
| 0.79ecu/%  vol/hl  +  3.08  ecu/hi 
0.96  ecu/%  vol/hl  +  6.16  ecu/hi 
0.96  ecu/%  vol/hl  +6.16  ecu/hi 
39.6 % 

Tariff  quota/ 
suspension 

not 

2000 t 
600 t 
11 t 

suspension 
suspension 
5001 
lOOt 
17 t 
17 t 
50 t 

| 
! 

NB:  The  reduced  agricultural  component  (RAC)  is  calculated  on  the  basis  of  the 
amounts shown in Annex II. 

to 

APPROPRIATIONS: 

FINANCIAL  STATEMENT 
1. BUDGET HEADING:  Article  120 
2.  TITLE OF  OPERATION: 
Proposal  for  a Council  Regulation adopting autonomous and transitional  measures  for  the free  trade 
agreements  with Lithuania,  Latvia and Estonia in certain processed  agricultural  products 
3.  LEGAL BASIS:  Article  113 and Articles 76,  102 and  128 of AA 
4.  OBJECTIVES: 
Autonomous  and transitional measures vis-à-vis Lithuania,  Latvia and  Estonia 
5.FINANCIAL  IMPACT 

Period  of  12 months 

Next financial  year  ( ) 

Current  financial 
year (  ) 

5.0  Expenditure  from: 
- EC budget 
(refunds/intervention 
expenditure) 
- national budgets 
- other  sectors 
5.1  Revenue: 
- EC own resources 
(levies/customs  duties) 
5.0.1  FORECASTS  OF 
EXPENDITURE 
5.1.1  FORECASTS  OF 
REVENUE 
5.2  METHOD  OF CALCULATION 

(1) 

(1) 

(1) 

(1) 

(1) 

(1) 

6.0  FINANCING  POSSIBLE FROM APPROPRIATIONS  ENTERED IN 
THE RESPECTIVE CHAPTER  OF THE CURRENT  BUDGET 
6.1  FINANCING  POSSIBLE BY TRANSFER  BETWEEN  CHAPTERS  OF 
THE CURRENT  BUDGET 
h 
6.2  NEED FOR SUPPLEMENTARY  BUDGET 
6.3  APPROPRIATIONS  TO BE ENTERED  IN FUTURE  BUDGETS 
OBSERVATIONS  (1) It is not possible to estimate the impact of the measures  given the uncertainty 
surrounding the use of quotas and the fact  that additional concessions come into effect  on  1.7.1996 

Yes/No 
Yes/No 

Yes/No 

Yes/No 

i\ 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(96) 310  final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

11 

Catalogue number  : CB-CO-96-318-EN-C 

ISBN 92-78-05875-0 

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