Council Regulation (EC) No 2341/2000 of 17 October 2000 establishing certain concessions in the form of Community tariff quotas for certain agricultural products and providing for an adjustment, as an autonomous and transitional measure, of certain agricultural concessions provided for in the Europe Agreement with Latvia
Date: 2000-10-17
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Latvia, agricultural product, association agreement (EU), customs duties, import policy, suspension of customs duties

24.10.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 271/7

I

(Acts whose publication is obligatory)

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 2341/2000

of 17 October 2000

establishing certain concessions in the form of Community tariff quotas for certain agricultural
products and providing for an adjustment, as an autonomous and transitional measure, of certain
agricultural concessions provided for in the Europe Agreement with Latvia

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:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

The Europe Agreement establishing an Association
between the European Communities and their Member
States, of the one part, and the Republic of Latvia, of the
other part (1), provides for certain concessions for certain
agricultural products originating in Latvia.

Improvements to the preferential agreements of
the
Europe Agreement with Latvia were provided for in the
Protocol adjusting trade aspects of the Europe Agree-
ment establishing an Association between the European
Communities and their Member States, of the one part,
and the Republic of Latvia, of the other part, to take
account of the accession of the Republic of Austria, the
Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden to the
European Union and the outcome of
the Uruguay
Round negotiations on agriculture including improve-
ments to the existing preferential arrangements (2). The
Council approved the abovementioned Protocol on
behalf of the Community by Council Decision 1999/
790/EC (3).

In accordance with the directives adopted by the Council
on 30 March 1999,
the Commission and Latvia
concluded on 8 May 2000 negotiations on a new Addi-
tional Protocol to the Europe Agreement.

The new Additional Protocol, which provides for addi-
tional agricultural concessions, will be based on Article
20(4) of the Europe Agreement, establishing that the
Community and Latvia are to examine in the Associa-
tion Council, product by product and on an orderly and
reciprocal basis, the possibility of granting each other
further concessions.

(1) OJ L 26, 2.2.1998, p. 3.
(2) OJ L 317, 10.12.1999, p. 3.
(3) OJ L 317, 10.12.1999, p. 1.

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

A swift implementation of the adjustments forms an
essential part of the results of the negotiations for the
conclusion of a new Additional Protocol to the Europe
Agreement with Latvia.

It is therefore appropriate to provide for the adjustment,
as an autonomous and transitional measure, of the agri-
cultural concessions provided for in the Europe Agree-
ment with Latvia.

Latvia will take all the useful legislative provisions, on an
autonomous and transitional basis, in order to enable a
rapid and simultaneous implementation of the adapta-
tion of the agricultural concessions of Latvia provided
for in the Europe Agreement.

The measures necessary for the implementation of this
Regulation should be in accordance with Council
Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down
the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers
conferred on the Commission (4).

Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 of 2 July
1993 laying down provisions for the implementation of
Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the
Community Customs Code (5) codified the management
rules for tariff quotas designed to be used following the
chronological order of dates of customs declarations,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

1.
The arrangements for import into the Community applic-
able to certain agricultural products originating in Latvia as set
out in Annexes A(a) and A(b) to this Regulation shall replace
those set out in Annex Va to the Europe Agreement estab-
lishing an Association between the European Communities and
their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of
Latvia, of the other part.

(4) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.
(5) OJ L 253, 11.10.1993, p. 1. Regulation as

last amended by
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1662/1999 (OJ L 197, 29.7.1999,
p. 25).

L 271/8

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Official Journal of the European Communities

24.10.2000

On the entry into force of the new Additional Protocol
2.
adjusting the Europe Agreement referred to in paragraph 1, the
concessions provided for in that Protocol shall replace those
referred to in Annexes A(a) and A(b) to this Regulation.

The Commission shall adopt detailed rules

the
3.
application of this Regulation in accordance with the procedure
laid down in Article 3(2).

for

Article 2

1.
Tariff quotas with an order number above 09.5100 shall
be administered by the Commission in accordance with
Articles 308a, 308b and 308c of Regulation (EEC) No 2454/
93.

2.
Quantities of goods subject to tariff quotas and released
for free circulation as from 1 July 2000 under the concessions
provided for in Annex Va to the Europe Agreement in accord-
ance with the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No 1926/
96 (1) before the entry into force of this Regulation shall be
fully counted against the quantities provided for in Annex A(b)
to this Regulation.

Article 3

1.
The Commission shall be assisted by the committee insti-
tuted by Article 23 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92
on the common organisation of the market of cereals (2) or,
where appropriate, the committee instituted by the relevant
provisions of the other regulations on the common organ-
isation of agricultural markets, hereinafter referred to as the
‘Committee’.

2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, the procedure
laid down in Articles 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall
apply.

The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC
shall be set at one month.

3.

The Committee shall adopt its Rules of Procedure.

Article 4

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

It shall apply from 1 July 2000.

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

Done at Luxembourg, 17 October 2000.

For the Council

The President

L. FABIUS

(1) OJ L 254, 8.10.1996, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 181, 1.7.1992, p. 21.

24.10.2000

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Official Journal of the European Communities

L 271/9

Customs duties on imports applicable in the Community to products originating in Latvia and listed below shall
be abolished

ANNEX A(a)

CN code (1)

CN code (1)

CN code (1)

CN code (1)

CN code (1)

0101 20 10
0104 20 10
0106 00 10
0106 00 20

0205 00 11
0205 00 19
0205 00 90
0206 80 91
0206 90 91
0207 13 91
0207 14 91
0207 26 91
0207 27 91
0207 35 91
0207 36 89
0208 10 11
0208 10 19
0208 20 00
0208 90 10
0208 90 50
0208 90 60
0208 90 80
0210 90 10
0210 90 79

0407 00 90
0410 00 00

0601 10 10
0601 10 20
0601 10 30
0601 10 40
0601 10 90
0601 20 30
0601 20 90
0602 10 90
0602 20 90
0602 30 00
0602 40 10
0602 40 90
0602 90 10
0602 90 30
0602 90 41
0602 90 45
0602 90 49
0602 90 51
0602 90 59
0602 90 70
0602 90 91
0602 90 99
0603 10 10

0603 10 20
0603 10 30
0603 10 40
0603 10 50
0603 10 80
0603 90 00
0604 10 90
0604 91 21
0604 91 29
0604 91 41
0604 91 49
0604 91 90
0604 99 90

0701 10 00
0701 90 10
0703 10 11
0703 10 19
0703 10 90
0703 90 00
0708 10 00
0709 51 30
0709 51 50
0709 51 90
0709 52 00
0709 60 10
0709 60 99
0709 90 50
0710 80 59
0711 10 00
0711 90 10
0711 90 70
0712 20 00
0713 50 00
0713 90 10
0713 90 90

0802 11 90
0802 12 90
0802 21 00
0802 22 00
0802 31 00
0802 32 00
0802 40 00
0802 90 50
0802 90 85
0806 20 11
0806 20 12
0806 20 91
0806 20 92
0806 20 98

0808 20 90
0810 40 30
0810 40 50
0810 40 90
0811 90 85
0812 10 00
0812 90 40
0812 90 50
0812 90 60
0812 90 95
0813 10 00
0813 20 00
0813 30 00
0813 40 10
0813 40 30
0813 40 95
0813 50 15
0813 50 19
0813 50 91
0813 50 99

0901 12 00
0901 21 00
0901 22 00
0902 10 00
0904 12 00
0904 20 10
0904 20 90
0907 00 00
0910 40 13
0910 40 19
0910 40 90
0910 91 90
0910 99 99

1106 10 00
1106 30 90

1208 10 00
1209 11 00
1209 19 00
1209 21 00
1209 23 80
1209 29 50
1209 29 80
1209 30 00
1209 91 10
1209 91 90
1209 99 91
1209 99 99
1210 10 00
1210 20 10

1210 20 90
1211 90 30
1212 10 10
1212 10 99
1214 90 10

1502 00 90
1503 00 19
1503 00 90
1504 10 10
1504 10 99
1504 20 10
1504 30 10
1507 10 10
1507 10 90
1507 90 10
1507 90 90
1508 10 90
1508 90 10
1508 90 90
1511 10 90
1511 90 11
1511 90 19
1511 90 91
1511 90 99
1512 11 10
1512 11 91
1512 11 99
1512 19 10
1512 19 91
1512 19 99
1512 21 10
1512 21 90
1512 29 10
1512 29 90
1513 11 10
1513 11 91
1513 11 99
1513 19 11
1513 19 19
1513 19 30
1513 19 91
1513 19 99
1513 21 11
1513 21 19
1513 21 30
1513 21 90
1513 29 11
1513 29 19
1513 29 30

1513 29 50
1513 29 91
1513 29 99
1514 10 10
1514 10 90
1514 90 10
1514 90 90
1515 11 00
1515 19 10
1515 19 90
1515 21 10
1515 21 90
1515 29 10
1515 29 90
1515 30 90
1515 50 11
1515 50 19
1515 50 91
1515 50 99
1515 90 29
1515 90 39
1515 90 40
1515 90 51
1515 90 59
1515 90 60
1515 90 91
1515 90 99
1516 20 95
1516 20 96
1516 20 98
1518 00 31
1518 00 39
1522 00 91

1602 31 11
1602 31 19
1602 31 30
1602 31 90

2001 90 20
2005 90 10

2302 50 00
2306 90 19
2308 90 90
2309 10 51
2309 10 90
2309 90 10
2309 90 31
2309 90 41
2309 90 51

(1) As defined in Commission Regulation (EC) No 2204/1999 of 12 October 1999, amending Annex I to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 on the tariff and

statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff (OJ L 278, 28.10.1999, p. 1).

L 271/10

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Official Journal of the European Communities

24.10.2000

ANNEX A(b)

Imports into the Community of the following products originating in Latvia shall be subject to the concessions
set out below

(MFN = most favoured nation duty)

Order No

CN code

Description (1)

Applicable duty
(% of MFN) (2)

Annual quantity
from 1.7.2000
to 30.6.2001
(tonnes)

Yearly increase
as from
1.7.2001
(tonnes)

Specific
provisions

09.4598

0102 90 05

09.4537

0102 90 21
0102 90 29
0102 90 41
0102 90 49

09.4563

ex 0102 90

Live bovine animals of a live weight not
exceeding 80 kg

Live bovine animals of a live weight
exceeding
exceeding 80 kg but not
300 kg

20

20

178 000 head

153 000 head

Heifers and cows not for slaughter of the
following mountain breeds: grey, brown,
yellow, spotted Simmental and Pinzgau

6 %
ad valorem

7 000 head

09.4037

0204

Meat of sheep or goats

09.4561

0201
0202

Meat of bovine animals, fresh, chilled or
frozen

free

20

125

1 875

75

0

0

0

5

(3)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(5)

09.4540

ex 0203 (6)

Meat of domestic swine, fresh, chilled or
frozen

free

1 250

125

(7) (11)

09.4544

ex 0207 (8)

Meat and edible offal of the poultry of
heading 0105, fresh, chilled or frozen

free

625

65

(11)

09.4549

0402 10 19

Skimmed milk powder

free

4 000

400

0402 21 19

Whole milk powder

09.4550

0402 29

Whole milk powder, sweetened

09.4551

0405 10

Butter

09.4552

0406

Cheese and curd

0409 00 00

Natural honey

09.6621

ex 0702 00 00

Tomatoes, fresh or chilled, from 15 May
to 31 October

09.6623

0703 20 00

Garlic

09.6456

0704 90 10

White cabbage and red cabbage

20

free

free

64

free

free

20

0

190

300

250

1 875

3 000

Unlimited

(11)

150

50

(10) (11)

50

440

5

0

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Official Journal of the European Communities

L 271/11

Order No

CN code

Description (1)

Applicable duty
(% of MFN) (2)

Annual quantity
from 1.7.2000
to 30.6.2001
(tonnes)

Yearly increase
as from
1.7.2001
(tonnes)

Specific
provisions

09.6457

ex 0706 00 10

Carrots

0706 90 30

Horse radish

ex 0707 00 05

Cucumbers, fresh or chilled, from 16 May
to 31 October

09.6458

0710 10 00

Potatoes, frozen

09.6625

0808 10

Apples

09.6471

0811 10

Strawberries, frozen

09.6472

1104 12 90

Oats, flaked

09.6473

1108 13 00

Potato starch

09.4564

1601 00

1602 41-49

09.6627

1602 32-39

Sausages and similar products of meat,
meat offal or blood

Other prepared or preserved meat, meat
offal or blood of swine

Other prepared or preserved meat, meat
offal or blood of fowls, of the species
Gallus domesticus or of other

1602 50 10

Prepared or preserved meat of bovine
animals

09.6474

2001 10

Cucumbers and gherkins, preserved

09.6475

2005 90 75

Sauerkraut

2009 70 30

2009 70 93

Apple juice of a density not exceeding
1,33 g/cm3 at 20 °C

Of a value exceeding EUR 18 per 100 kg
net weight, containing added sugar

Of a value not exceeding EUR 18 per
100 kg net weight, with an added sugar
content not exceeding 30 % by weight

2009 70 99

Not containing added sugar

20

47

80

20

free

20

20

20

free

250

0

Unlimited

Unlimited

250

150

250

375

500

150

0

50

0

0

0

15

(10)

(10) (11)

(9)

(11)

free

100

10

(11)

20

20

20

67

250

190

140

Unlimited

0

0

0

(1) Notwithstanding the rules for the interpretation of the Combined Nomenclature, the wording of the description of the products is to be considered as having no more
than indicative value, the preferential scheme being determined, within the context of this Annex, by the coverage of the CN code. Where ex CN codes are indicated, the
preferential scheme is to be determined by application to the CN code and corresponding description taken together.

(2) In cases where an MFN minimum duty exists, the applicable minimum duty is equal to the MFN minimum duty multiplied by the percentage indicated in this column.
(3) The quota for this product is opened for Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and the Slovak Republic. Where it appears
likely that total Community imports of live bovine animals may exceed 500 000 head in a given marketing year the Community may take the management measures
needed to protect its market, notwithstanding any other rights given under the Agreement.

(4) The quota for this product is opened for Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and the Slovak Republic.
(5) The quota for this product is opened for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The Community may take into account, in the framework of its legislation and when appropriate

the supply needs of its market and the need to maintain its market balance.

(6) Except CN codes 0203 11 90, 0203 12 90, 0203 19 90, 0203 21 90, 0203 22 90, 0203 29 90.
(7) Excluding tenderloin presented alone.
(8) Except CN codes 0207 13 91, 0207 14 91, 0207 26 91, 0207 27 91, 0207 34 10, 0207 34 90, 0207 35 91, 0207 36 81, 0207 36 85 and 0207 36 89.
(9) Subject to minimum import price arrangements contained in the Annex to the present Annex.
(10) The reduction applies only to the ad valorem part of the duty.
(11) This concession is only applicable to products not benefiting from export refunds.

L 271/12

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Official Journal of the European Communities

24.10.2000

Annex to Annex A(b)

Mimimum import price arrangements for certain soft fruit for processing

1. Minimum import prices are fixed as follows for the following products for processing originating in the Republic of

Latvia:

CN code

Description

Minimum import
price
(EUR/100 kg net)

ex 0811 10 11

Frozen strawberries, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter,
with a sugar content exceeding 13 % by weight: whole fruit

ex 0811 10 11

Frozen strawberries, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter,
with a sugar content exceeding 13 % by weight: other

ex 0811 10 19

Frozen strawberries, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter,
with a sugar content not exceeding 13 % by weight: whole fruit

ex 0811 10 19

Frozen strawberries, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter,
with a sugar content not exceeding 13 % by weight: other

ex 0811 10 90

Frozen strawberries, containing no added sugar or other sweetening
matter: whole fruit

ex 0811 10 90

Frozen strawberries, containing no added sugar or other sweetening
matter: other

75,0

57,6

75,0

57,6

75

57,6

2. The minimum import prices, as set out in paragraph 1, will be respected on a consignment-by-consignment basis. In
the case of a customs declaration value being lower than the minimum import price, a countervailing duty will be
charged equal to the difference between the minimum import price and the customs declaration value.

3. If the import prices of a given product covered by this Annex show a trend suggesting that the prices could go below
the level of the minimum import prices in the immediate future, the European Commission will inform the Latvian
authorities in order to enable them to correct the situation.

4. At the request of either the Community or Latvia, the Association Council shall examine the functioning of the system
or the revision of the level of the minimum import prices. If appropriate, the Association Council shall take the
necessary decisions.

5. To encourage and promote the development of trade and for the mutual benefit of all parties concerned, a
consultation meeting will be organised three months before the beginning of each marketing year in the European
Community. This consultation meeting will take place between the European Commission and the interested European
producers' organisations for the products concerned, of the one part, and the authorities', producers' and exports'
organisations of all the associated exporting countries, of the other part.

During this consultation meeting, the market situation for soft fruit including, in particular, forecasts for production,
stock situation, price evolution and possible market development, as well as possibilities of adapting supply to
demand, will be discussed.