WRITTEN QUESTION E-2585/00 by Willi Görlach (PSE), Heinz Kindermann (PSE), Albert Maat (PPE-DE), Xaver Mayer (PPE-DE), Agnes Schierhuber (PPE-DE), Joseph Daul (PPE-DE) and Niels Busk (ELDR) to the Commission. Refunds in connection with the export of pure-bred cattle to third countries.
Date: 2000-08-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: beef, breeding animal, cattle, dairy cow, export policy, export refund, third country

C 113 E/126

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.4.2001

However, the Commission is aware that the Danish authorities are currently monitoring incidental capture
and killing of harbour porpoise, and that they are carrying on research. Denmark has also informed the
Commission that they intend to continue conservation measures for porpoises.

At the Council of 16 June 2000, the member responsible for fishery expressed his deepest concern on this
and similar issues. To follow up, Member States will be contacted to request
information to the
Commission about actions they have taken or intend to take at national level.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1239/98 of 8 June 1998 amending Regulation (EC) No 894/97 laying down certain

technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources, (OJ L 171, 17.6.1998).

(2) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2001/C 113 E/128)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2585/00

by Willi G(cid:246)rlach (PSE), Heinz Kindermann (PSE), Albert Maat (PPE-DE),
Xaver Mayer (PPE-DE), Agnes Schierhuber (PPE-DE), Joseph Daul (PPE-DE)
and Niels Busk (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 August 2000)

Subject: Refunds in connection with the export of pure-bred cattle to third countries

After earlier cuts in December 1999 and March 2000, on 13 May 2000 EU refunds for beef and veal, and
thus also for breeding cattle, were reduced once again. In the case of breeding cattle, the refunds have been
reduced by 5 %, 5 % and 20 % respectively, i.e. in figures from € 63 per 100 kg live weight (LW) in 1999
to € 46 per 100 kg LW since May of this year.

The reasons put forward for these reductions were the relatively high dollar exchange rate vis-(cid:224)-vis the
euro and relatively high beef and veal prices on the European internal market. However, transactions
involving the export of breeding cattle from the EU to Central and Eastern Europe, north Africa and the
Middle East are generally carried out in euros. As a result, a high dollar exchange rate is in no way
conducive to the export of breeding cattle.

The relatively high beef and veal prices on the internal market are in fact disadvantageous for exports of
breeding cattle. Dairy farmers in the EU are encouraged to use calves for the production of beef and veal,
rather than rearing them as heifers for export. Dairy farmers may even decide to have most cows in their
herds inseminated with sperm from beef cattle.

1.
Does the Commission acknowledge the significance of the export of breeding cattle from the EU in
maintaining a balance on the European beef and veal market and in improving dairy cattle stocks in the
importing countries in Central and Eastern Europe, north Africa and the Middle East?

2.
Can the Commission outline the impact of the reduction in refunds on exports of breeding cattle and
on producers of breeding cattle, taking into account the recently introduced slaughter premiums which are
also granted when breeding cattle are exported to third countries?

To what extent is the Commission prepared to take account of the specific situation of producers of

3.
breeding cattle in the EU when considering the issue of export refunds?

4.
Is it conceivable that refunds for the export of breeding cattle might be returned substantially to their
1999 level (€ 63 per 100 kg LW), minus the slaughter premium introduced in 2000 and the agreed
increase in that premium?

18.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 113 E/127

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(16 October 2000)

Rearing breeding animals is an important activity in the bovine sector in its own right but, certain specific
features apart, is closely tied to the prevailing general economic situation of the beef and milk industries.
The production decisions taken by breeding cattle rearers are therefore greatly influenced by market
prospects in these industries and as an activity linked to them it is also affected by decisions and measures
adopted for them. Rearers of breeding cattle receive the Community premiums (including the suckler cow
and slaughter premiums) and are subject to the impact of decisions on the export refund.

1.
Exports of breeding cattle are helping develop the structure of milk production in many European
countries, in North Africa and in the Middle East. The Commission has accordingly several times organised
or participated in programmes for delivering animals to certain countries. The primary contribution of
these exports is to sustain quality development in the agriculture of the countries of destination. Their
effect on the beef market situation in the Community is not of identical importance. International trade in
breeding cattle depends mainly on factors relating to milk production in the purchasing countries and is
not directly linked to the situation in the Community.

2.
This year constitutes for the bovine sector the first stage in execution of the decisions, adopted under
Agenda 2000, to reduce prices substantially but offset this by granting premiums to producers. Moreover
the market situation this year has been marked by very high producer prices as a result of lower
production and improved consumption, the result being a fall in quantities available for exportation. The
cumulative effects of these factors has forced the Commission to act several times already on the level of
the export refund.

3.
It must however be noted that when these decisions on the level of the refund were taken the
specific position of breeding cattle exporters was taken into account. Thus when the successive reductions
in refund rates for breeding cattle were made the reduction was much smaller than that decided on for
slaughter cattle. The latest modification of the refunds (2 September) did not affect breeding animals.

The Commission will continue to monitor the export refund question with similar care.

It remains of the opinion that particularly for breeding cattle price levels are not the only determinant of
whether or not trade occurs. Other factors (third country buying policies, availability of funds, genetic and
other qualities of the animals etc.) intervene.

A decision to return the refund to its 1999 level (minus the slaughter premium) could not be

4.
defended as compatible with the reform adopted.

(2001/C 113 E/129)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2593/00

by Fernando FernÆndez Mart(cid:237)n (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 August 2000)

Subject: IRELA

During his appearance before the Committee on Development and Cooperation at
its meeting in
Strasbourg in June 2000, Mr Patten, Commissioner responsible for Foreign Affairs, gave a comprehensive
and excellent report on his plans for the reform of the Commission(cid:146)s services responsible for external
relations and the management of foreign aid.