WRITTEN QUESTION E-1867/99 by Samuli Pohjamo (ELDR) to the Commission. Norwegian tariffs on processed reindeer meat.
Date: 1999-10-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Economic Area, Finland, Norway, common commercial policy, meat, restriction on competition, tariff reduction

C 203 E/76

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2000

(2000/C 203 E/093)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1867/99

by Samuli Pohjamo (ELDR) to the Commission

(14 October 1999)

Subject: Norwegian tariffs on processed reindeer meat

Traditionally, reindeer meat has been exported from Finnish Lapland to Norway. From the point of view of
the development of the industry, it would be desirable for some of the meat to be exported in processed
form and not simply as meat.

Norway protects its meat-processing industry by means of high customs and import duties. Those on
unprocessed meat are temporarily reduced when the Norwegian meat-processing industry requires raw
materials. As a result, processing of reindeer meat is not viable in Finland.

What will the Commission do to prevent such selective imposition of duties being used to distort
competition within the EEA?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(24 November 1999)

Trade in agriculture and fisheries products (defined as products falling outside chapters 25 to 97 of the
Harmonised commodity description and coding system) is excluded from the scope of the European
Economic Area (EEA) Agreement by its Article 8.

The EEA is not a customs union, so there are no common rules on the alignment or harmonisation of
customs duties or practices. There is therefore no legal basis under which the Commission can take
measures to persuade Norway to alter its tariff structure.

There is a possibility within the EEA Agreement (Article 19) for the negotiation of supplementary bilateral
liberalisation in agricultural trade. However, a request for reform of the Norwegian tariff structure would
undoubtedly result in a reciprocal demand from Norway for a reduction in the Community tariff.
The Commission therefore does not consider that this course would be wise at present.

(2000/C 203 E/094)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1872/99

by Evelyne Gebhardt (PSE) to the Commission

(12 October 1999)

Subject: Baden-W(cid:252)rttemberg origin and quality mark

Are press reports suggesting that the Commission intends to abolish government funding for Baden-
W(cid:252)rttemberg food product marks correct? What measures are proposed, and on what grounds and on
what legal basis? Which products and which types of mark are affected?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(5 November 1999)

The Commission is currently reviewing the Community framework for state aid for the promotion and
advertising of agricultural products (Commission communication concerning state involvement in the
promotion of agricultural and fisheries products (1) and the framework for national aids for the advertising
of agricultural products and certain products not listed in Annex I to the EEC Treaty, excluding fishery
products) (2). This review is meant to clarify the existing rules and to update them in the light of
developments in Community legislation and the carelaw of the Court of justice.
It is not, however,
intended to make major changes of substance to the existing rules.