Proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 2505/96 opening and providing for the administration of autonomous Community tariff quotas for certain agricultural and industrial products
Date: 2008-11-26
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: agricultural product, chemical product, industrial product, tariff quota

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COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 26.11.2008 
COM(2008) 797 final 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL REGULATION 

amending Regulation (EC) No 2505/96 opening and providing for the administration of 
autonomous Community tariff quotas for certain agricultural and industrial products 

(presented by the Commission) 

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

1. 

1.1. 

CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL 

Grounds for and objectives of the proposal 

Autonomous  Community  tariff  quotas  are  needed  for  new  products  or  the  quota 
amount  for  certain  autonomous  Community  tariff  quotas  is  insufficient  to  meet  the 
needs  of  the  Community  industry  for  the  current  quota  period.  In  response  to 
requests from several Member States, the Commission, together with the government 
experts concerned, considered whether to open, increase or extend autonomous tariff 
quotas for certain industrial products. 

1.2. 

General context 

On  20 December 1996  the  Council  adopted  Regulation  (EC)  No 2505/96  opening 
and  providing  for  the  administration  of  autonomous  Community  tariff  quotas  for 
certain  agricultural  and  industrial  products  so  that  Community  demand  for  the 
products  in  question  could  be  met  under  the  most  favourable  conditions.  New 
Community  tariff  quotas  should  be  opened  at  zero  rates  of  duty  for  appropriate 
amounts, without disturbing the markets for such products. Discussions at meetings 
of the Economic Tariff Questions Group showed that the Member States were ready 
to open quotas or increase quotas amounts for the products covered by the proposal 
for a Regulation, without disturbing the markets for such products 

1.3. 

Provisions in force in the field covered by the proposal 

Regulation  (EC)  No 2505/96  (OJ  L  345,  31.12.1996,  p.1),  as  last  amended  by 
Regulation (EC) No 556/2008 (OJ L 160, 19.6.2008, p.1). 

1.4. 

Consistency with the other policies and objectives of the Union 

The proposal is in line with agricultural, trade, entreprise, development and external 
relations policies. Especially this proposal is not at the expense of countries enjoying 
a preferential trading agreement with the EU (e.g. GSP, ACP regime, candidate and 
potential candidate countries of the Western Balkans). 

2. 

2.1. 

CONSULTATION OF INTERESTED PARTIES AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT 

Consultation of stakeholders 

Consultation methods, main sectors targeted and general profile of respondents 

The  Economic  Tariff  Questions  Group  representing  the  industries  of  each  Member 
State was consulted. 

Summary of responses and how they have been taken into account 

All listed quotas reflect the agreement reached by the Group. 

2.2. 

Collection and use of expertise 

Scientific areas or fields of expertise concerned 

Experts representing the Member States in the Economic Tariff Questions Group. 

Methodology used 

Open consultation. 

Main organisations/experts consulted 

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Experts designated by each of the Member States. 

Summary of advice received and used 

There was no mention of potentially serious risks with irreversible consequences. 

Agreement of the Economic and Tariff Questions Group. 

Methods used to make the results of these expert opinions available to the public 

Publication of the proposal. 

2.3. 

Impact assessment 

Not applicable. 

The  proposal  is  not  mentioned  in  the  Commission’s  Legislative  and  Work 
Programme for 2009. 

3. 

3.1. 

LEGAL ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSAL 

Summary of the proposed action 

Council  Regulation  amending  Regulation  (EC)  No  2505/96  opening  and  providing 
for  the  administration  of  autonomous  Community  tariff  quotas  for  certain 
agricultural and industrial products. 

3.2. 

Legal basis 

Article 26 of the EC Treaty. 

3.3. 

Subsidiarity principle 

The  subsidiarity  principle  does  not  apply,  as  the  proposal  falls  under  the  exclusive 
competence of the Community. 

3.4. 

Proportionality principle 

The  proposal  complies  with  the  principle  of  proportionality  for  the  following 
reasons. 

This set of measures is in line with the principles for simplifying the procedures for 
the operators engaged in foreign trade and with the Commission communication of 
1998 concerning autonomous tariff suspensions and quotas (C 128, 25.4.1998, p.2). 

3.5. 

Choice of instruments 

Proposed instruments: Regulation 

Other instruments would not be appropriate for the following reasons: 

By virtue of Article 26 of the EC Treaty autonomous tariff quotas are approved by 
the Council acting on a qualified majority on the basis of a Commission proposal. 

4. 

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION 

Uncollected customs duties with a total amount of € - 2 359 739. 

5. 

5.1. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

Amendment of existing legislation 

Adopting this proposal will mean that some legislation is amended. 

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In  the  annex  to  the  proposed  regulation  a  consolidated  list  of  autonomous  tariff 
quotas will be published. 

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Proposal for a 

COUNCIL REGULATION 

amending Regulation (EC) No 2505/96 opening and providing for the administration of 
autonomous Community tariff quotas for certain agricultural and industrial products 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 
26 thereof 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission1, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

On 20 December 1996 the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 2505/962. Community 
demand  for  the  products  to  which  that  Regulation  applies  should  be  met  under  the 
most  favourable  conditions.  For  that  purpose  with  effect  from  1  January  2009,  one 
new Community tariff quota should be opened at zero rate of duty for the appropriate 
amount while avoiding any disturbance to the market of this product. 

The  quota  amounts  for  two  autonomous  Community  tariff  quotas  are  insufficient  to 
meet the needs of the Community industry for the current quota period ending at 31 
December  2008.  Consequently,  those  quota  amounts  should  be  increased  with  effect 
from 1 January 2008. 

The  quota  amount  for  one  autonomous  Community  tariff  quota  disturbs  the  internal 
market of the Community. Consequently, this quota amount should be reduced. 

It is no longer in the Community interest to continue to grant Community tariff quotas 
in  2009  for  certain  products  for  which  such  quotas  were  established  for  2008.Those 
quotas  should  therefore  be  closed  with  effect  from  1 January 2009  and  the 
corresponidng products should be removed from the list in Annex I to Regulation (EC) 
No 2505/96 . 

In view of the many changes to be made, clarity requires Annex I to Regulation (EC) 
No 2505/96 to be replaced in its entirety. 

Regulation (EC) No 2505/96 should therefore be amended accordingly. 

Since the tariff quotas have to take effect from 1 January 2009, this Regulation should 
apply from the same date and enter into force immediately, 

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 

Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 2505/96 is replaced by the text set out in the Annex to this 
Regulation. 

Article 1 

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OJ C , , p. . 
OJ L 345, 31.12.1996, p.1. 

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Article 2  

With effect from 1 January 2008, in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 2505/96: 

- the quota volume of the tariff quota for order number 09.2812 is fixed at 4 000 tonnes, 

- the quota volume of the tariff quota for order number 09.2950 is fixed at 15 000 tonnes. 

Article 3 

With effect from 1 January 2009, in Annex I to Regulation (EC)No 2505/96: 

- the quota volume for the tariff quota for order number 09.2908 is fixed at 40 000 tonnes 

Article 4 

With effect from 1 January 2009, in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 2505/96 the row for order 
number 09.2631 is inserted. 

With effect from 1 January 2009, in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 2505/96 the rows for the 
order numbers 09.2618, 09.2713, 09.2719, 09.2771 and 09.2775 are deleted. 

Article 5 

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

Article 6 

This Regulation shall apply from 1 January 2009. 

However, Article 2 shall apply from 1 January 2008. 

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

Done at Brussels,  

For the Council 
The President 

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ANNEX 

"ANNEX I 

Order 
number 

CN code 

TARIC Description 

Quota 
period 

Quota 
amount 

Quota 
duty 
(%) 

09.2849 

ex 0710 80 69  10 

Mushrooms of the species Auricularia polytricha (uncooked or cooked by 
steaming or boiling), frozen, for the manufacture of prepared meals (1) (2) 

1.1.-
31.12. 

700 
tonnes 

0 % 

Natural  unmanufactured  tobacco,  whether  or  not  cut  in  regular  size, 
having  a  custom  value  of  not  less  than  Euro 450  per  100 kg  net  weight, 
for use as binder or wrapper for the manufacture of goods falling within 
subheading 2402 10 00 (1) 

1.1-
31.12. 

6 000 
tonnes 

0 % 

09.2913 

ex 2401 10 35 

91 

ex 2401 10 70 

10 

ex 2401 10 95 

11 

ex 2401 10 95 

21 

ex 2401 10 95 

91 

ex 2401 20 35 

91 

ex 2401 20 70 

10 

ex 2401 20 95 

11 

ex 2401 20 95 

21 

ex 2401 20 95 

91 

09.2841 

ex 2712 90 99  10 

Blend of 1-alkenes containing 80 % by weight or more of 1-alkenes of a 
chain-length of 20 and 22 carbon atoms 

1.1.-
31.12. 

10 000 
tonnes 

0 % 

09.2703 

ex 2825 30 00  10 

Vanadium oxides and hydroxides exclusively for use in alloys (1) 

09.2806 

ex 2825 90 40  30 

Tungsten trioxide 

1.1-
31.12. 

13 000 
tonnes 

0 % 

1.1.-
31.12. 

12 000 
tonnes 

0 % 

09.2611 

ex 2826 19 90  10 

Calcium  fluoride  having  a  total  content  of  aluminium,  magnesium  and 
sodium of 0.25 mg/kg or less, in the form of powder 

1.1.-
31.12. 

55 tonnes  0 % 

09.2837 

ex 2903 49 80  10 

Bromochloromethane 

09.2933 

ex 2903 69 90  30 

1,3-Dichlorobenzene 

1.1.-
31.12. 

600 
tonnes 

0 % 

1.1.-
31.12. 

2 600 
tonnes 

0 % 

09.2950 

ex 2905 98 10  10 

2-Chloroethanol,  for  the  manufacture  of  liquid  thioplasts  of  subheading 
4002 99 90 (1) 

1.1.-
31.12. 

15 000 
tonnes 

0 % 

09.2851 

ex 2907 12 00  10 

O-Cresol having a purity of not less than 98.5 % by weight 

09.2624 

2912 42 00 

Ethylvanillin (3-ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde) 

1.1.-
31.12. 

20 000 
tonnes 

0 % 

1.1.-
31.12. 

600 
tonnes 

0 % 

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Order 
number 

CN code 

TARIC Description 

09.2767 

ex 2910 90 00  80 

Allyl glycidyl ether 

09.2972 

2915 24 00 

Acetic anhydride 

09.2769 

ex 2917 13 90  10 

Dimethyl sebacate 

09.2808 

ex 2918 22 00  10 

o-Acetylsalicylic acid 

09.2975 

ex 2918 30 00  10 

Benzophenone-3,3':4,4'-tetracarboxylic dianhydride 

09.2602 

ex 2921 51 19  10 

o-Phenylenediamine 

09.2977 

2926 10 00 

Acrylonitrile 

09.2030 

ex 2926 90 95  74 

Chlorothalonil 

09.2002 

ex 2928 00 90  30 

Phenylhydrazine 

09.2917 

ex 2930 90 13  90 

Cystine 

09.2603 

ex 2930 90 85  79 

Bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)tetrasulphide 

09.2810 

2932 11 00 

Tetrahydrofuran 

09.2955 

ex 2932 19 00  60 

Flurtamone (ISO) 

09.2812 

ex 2932 29 85  77 

Hexan-6-olide 

09.2615 

ex 2934 99 90  70 

Ribonucleic acid 

Quota 
period 

Quota 
amount 

Quota 
duty 
(%) 

1.1.-
31.12. 

1 500 
tonnes 

0 % 

1.1.-
31.12. 

20 000 
tonnes 

0 % 

1.1.-
31.12. 

1 300 
tonnes 

0 % 

1.1.-
31.12. 

120 
tonnes 

0 % 

1.1.-
31.12. 

1 000 
tonnes 

0 % 

1.1.-
31.12. 

1 800 
tonnes 

0 % 

1.1.-
31.12. 

30 000 
tonnes 

0 % 

1.1.-
31.12. 

1 500 
tonnes 

0 % 

1.1.-
31.12. 

1 000 
tonnes 

0 % 

1.1.-
31.12. 

600 
tonnes 

0 % 

1.1.-
31.12. 

9 000 
tonnes 

0 % 

1.1-
31.12. 

20 000 
tonnes 

0 % 

1.1.-
31.12. 

300 
tonnes 

0 % 

1.1.-
31.12. 

4 000 
tonnes 

0 % 

1.1.-
31.12. 

110 
tonnes 

0 % 

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Order 
number 

CN code 

TARIC Description 

09.2619 

ex 2934 99 90  71 

2-Thienylacetonitrile 

09.2945 

ex 2940 00 00  20 

D-Xylose 

09.2908 

ex 3804 00 90  10 

Sodium lignosulphonate 

09.2889 

3805 10 90 

Sulphate turpentine 

09.2935 

3806 10 10 

Rosin and resin acids obtained from fresh oleoresins 

09.2814 

ex 3815 90 90  76 

Catalyst consisting of titanium dioxide and tungsten trioxide 

Quota 
period 

Quota 
amount 

Quota 
duty 
(%) 

1.1.-
31.12. 

80 tonnes  0 % 

1.1.-
31.12. 

400 
tonnes 

0 % 

1.1.- 
31.12. 

40 000 
tonnes 

0 % 

1.1.-
31.12. 

20 000 
tonnes 

0 % 

1.1.- 
31.12. 

280 000 
tonnes 

0 % 

1.1.-
31.12. 

1 600 
tonnes 

0 % 

09.2829 

ex 3824 90 97  19 

Solid  extract  of  the  residual,  insoluble  in  aliphatic  solvents,  obtained 
during  the  extraction  of  rosin  from  wood,  having  the  following 
characteristics: 

1.1.-
31.12. 

1 600 
tonnes 

0 % 

—  a resin acid content not exceeding 30 % by weight,

—  an acid number not exceeding 110 

and 

—  a melting point of 100 °C or more

09.2914 

ex 3824 90 97  26 

Aqueous solution containing not less than 40 % by weight of dry betaine-
extract and between 5 % and 30 % by weight of organic or inorganic salts 

1.1.-
31.12. 

5 000 
tonnes 

0 % 

09.2986 

ex 3824 90 97  76 

Mixture of tertiary amines containing: 

1.1-
31.12. 

14 315 
tonnes 

0 % 

—  60 % by weight of dodecyldimethylamine, or more 

—  20 % by weight of dimethyl(tetradecyl)amine, or more

—  0.5 % by weight of hexadecyldimethylamine, or more,

for use in the production of amine oxides (1) 

09.2907 

ex 3824 90 97  86 

Mixture of phytosterols, in the form of powder, containing by weight: 

1.1.-
31.12. 

2 500 
tonnes 

0 % 

—  75 % or more of sterols, 

—  not more than 25 % of stanols

for use in the manufacture of stanol/sterol esters (1) 

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Order 
number 

CN code 

TARIC Description 

09.2140 

ex 3824 90 97  98 

Mixture of tertiary amines containing by weight: 

—  2.0-4.0 % of N,N-dimethyl-1-octanamine 

—  94 % minimum of N,N-dimethyl-1-decanamine 

—  2 % maximum of N,N-dimethyl-1-dodecanamine

Quota 
period 

Quota 
amount 

Quota 
duty 
(%) 

1.1.-
31.12. 

4 500 
tonnes 

0 % 

09.2992 

ex 3902 30 00  93 

Propylene-butylene  copolymer,  containing  by  weight  60 %  or  more  but 
not  more  than  68 %  of  propylene  and  32 %  or  more  but  not  more  than 
40 %  of  butylene,  of  a  melt  viscosity  of  not  more  than  3 000 mPa  at 
190° C,  as  determined  by  the  ASTM  D 3236  method,  for  use  as  an 
adhesive  in  the  manufacture  of  products  falling  within  subheading 
4818 40 (1) 

1.1.-
31.12. 

1 000 
tonnes 

0 % 

09.2947 

ex 3904 69 90  95 

Poly(vinylidene fluoride), in powder form, for the preparation of paint or 
varnish for coating metal (1) 

1.1.-
31.12. 

1 300 
tonnes 

0 % 

09.2604 

ex 3905 30 00  10 

Poly(vinyl 
partially 
sulphobenzylidene)-3-(formylpropyl)-rhodanine, sodium salt 

acetalized  with 

alcohol) 

5-(4-azido-2-

1.1.-
31.12. 

100 
tonnes 

0 % 

09.2616 

ex 3910 00 00  30 

Polydimethylsiloxane  with  a  degree  of  polymerisation  of  2800 monomer 
units (± 100) 

1.1.-
31.12. 

1 300 
tonnes 

0 % 

09.2816 

ex 3912 11 00  20 

Cellulose  acetate  flakes  for  use  in  the  manufacture  of  cellulose  acetate 
filament tow (1) 

1.1.-
31.12. 

45 500 
tonnes 

0 % 

09.2818 

ex 6902 90 00  10 

Refractory bricks with 

1.1.-
31.12. 

75 tonnes  0 % 

—  an edge length of more than 300 mm and 

—  a TiO2 content of not more than 1 % by weight and 

—  a Al2O3 content of not more than 0.4 % by weight and

—  a change in volume of less than 9 % at 1700° C 

09.2628 

ex 7019 52 00  10 

Glass  web  woven  from  glass  fibre  coated  in  plastic,  of  a  weight  of 
120 g/m²(± 10 g/m²),  of  a  type  used  in  rolling  insect  screens  with  fixed 
frames 

1.1.-
31.12. 

350 000 
m² 

0 % 

09.2799 

ex 7202 49 90  10 

Ferro-chromium  containing  1.5 %  or  more  but  not  more  than  4 %  by 
weight of carbon and not more than 70 % of chromium 

1.1.-
31.12. 

50 000 
tonnes 

0 % 

09.2629 

ex 7616 99 90  85 

Aluminium telescopic handle for use in the manufacture of luggage (1) 

1.1.-
31.12. 

240 000 
units 

0 % 

09.2763 

ex 8501 40 80  30 

Electric AC commutator motor, single-phase, with an output of more than 
750 W, an input power of more than 1 600 W but not more than 2 700 W, 
an external diameter of more than 120 mm (± 0,2 mm) but not more than 

1.1.- 
31.12. 

2 000 000 
units 

0 % 

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Order 
number 

CN code 

TARIC Description 

Quota 
period 

Quota 
amount 

Quota 
duty 
(%) 

135 mm (± 0,2 mm), a rated speed of more than 30 000 rpm but not more 
than  50 000  rpm,  equipped  with  air-inducting  ventilator,  for  use  in  the 
manufacture of vacuum cleaners (1) 

09.2620 

ex 8526 91 20  20 

Assembly for GPS system having a position determination function 

1.1.-
31.12. 

2 000 000 
units 

0 % 

09.2003 

ex 8543 70 90  63 

Voltage  controlled  frequency  generator,  consisting  of  active  and  passive 
elements  mounted  on  a  printed  circuit,  contained  in  a  housing  with 
dimensions of not more than 30 x 30 mm 

1.1.-
31.12. 

1 400 000 
units 

0 % 

09.2631 

ex 9001 90 00  80 

Unmounted  glass  lenses,  prisms  and  cemented  elements  for  use  in  the 
manufacture of goods of CN codes 9005, 9013 and 9015 (1) 

1.1.-
31.12. 

5 000 000 
units 

0 % 

(1) 

Entry  under  this  subheading  is  subject  to  conditions  laid  down  in  the  relevant  Community  provisions  (see  Articles  291  to  300  of 
Commission Regulation (EEC) No. 2454/93 - OJ L 253 11.10.1993 p. 1). 

(2)  However, the measure is not allowed where processing is carried out by retail or catering undertakings. 

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LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR PROPOSALS HAVING A 
BUDGETARY IMPACT EXCLUSIVELY LIMITED TO THE REVENUE SIDE 

1. 

NAME OF THE PROPOSAL: 

Council  Regulation  amending  Regulation  (EC)  No  2505/96  opening  and  providing 
for  the  administration  of  autonomous  Community  tariff  quotas  for  certain 
agricultural and industrial products 

2. 

BUDGET LINES: 

Chapter and Article: Chapter 12, Article 120 

Amount budgeted for the year 2008: €

 16 431 900 000 

Amount budgeted for the year 2009: € 17 655 800 000  

3. 

FINANCIAL IMPACT  

x(cid:133)  Proposal has no financial impact on expenditure but has a financial impact on 

revenue – the effect is as follows: 

(€ million to one decimal place) 

Budget line 

Revenue3 

12 month period, 
starting dd/mm/aaaa

[Year 2008 and 
2009] 

Article 120 

Impact on own resources 

01/01/2008 

Article 120 

Impact on own resources 

01/01/2009 

- 0.2 

+ 2.6 

4. 

ANTI-FRAUD MEASURES 

Provisions  on  the  management  of  tariff  quotas  include  the  measures  needed  to 
prevent and protect against frauds and irregularities. 

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Regarding  traditional  own  resources  (agricultural  duties,  sugar  levies,  customs  duties)  the  amounts 
indicated must be net amounts, i.e. gross amounts after deduction of 25% of collection costs. 

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Effective from 1. 1.2008: 

ANNEX I 

Description of 
product 

Quota amount 
(unit/tonnes) 

Estimated 
price (€ per 
unit/ € per 
tonne) 

Duty (%) 
(2009 CCT) 

Quota duty 
(%) 

Expected loss of revenue 
(in €)  

Olide 

09.2812 

Ethanol 

09.2950 

+ 1 000 t 

(initial 
volume: 

3 000 t) 

+ 3.000 t 

(initial 
volume: 

12 000 t) 

2.040 

6.5 

733 

5.5 

0 

0 

+ 132 600 

+ 120 945 

Total loss of revenue:  
(€253 545 – € 63 386) € +190 159net.

Effective from 1.1.2009: 

ANNEX II 

Description of 
product 

Quota amount 
(unit/tonnes) 

Estimated 
price (€ per 
unit/ € per 
tonne) 

Duty (%) 
(2009 CCT) 

Quota duty 
(%) 

Chloro-
mandelic acid 

09.2618 

Lenses + 
prisms 

09.2631 

Sweet 
cherries 

09.2713 

0 t 

90 000 

6.5 

(initial 
volume: 

100 t) 

+ 5 000 000 
units 

2.50 

2.9 

0 t 

2 500 

25.6 

(initial 
volume: 

2 000 t) 

0 

0 

0 

Expected variation in the 
loss of revenue in relation 
to the previous quota 
period (in €)  

- 585 000 

+ 362 500 

- 1 280 000 

Sour cherries 

0 t 

2 500 

25.6 

0 

- 1 280 000 

09.2719 

(initial 
volume: 

2 000 t) 

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Inverter 

09.2771 

0 u 

21.72 

3.3 

(initial 
volume: 

800 000 u) 

Converter 

0 u 

6.66 

3.3 

0 

0 

- 573 408 

- 43 956 

09.2775 

(initial 
volume: 

200 000 u) 

in 
of 
Total 
(€ 3 399 864 – € 849 966) € - 2 549 898 net. 

revenue 

loss 

relation 

to 

previous 

quota 

period:  

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