PURPOSE: to open and modify the autonomous import tariff quota for high-quality fresh, chilled or frozen beef.
LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EU) No 464/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC) No 617/2009 opening an autonomous tariff quota for imports of high-quality beef.
CONTENT: the Council adopted regulation 617/2009 opening an autonomous tariff quota for imports of high-quality beef following a first reading agreement with the European Parliament.
This text will finally bring to an end the long-lasting trade dispute between the EU, the USA and Canada on the use of "hormones" in beef within the framework of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). By this regulation, the EU has opened an additional autonomous tariff rate quota for high-quality beef that is not treated with hormones. At the same time, the USA has withdrawn sanctions on EU products.
The Memoradum of understading (MoU) with the United States (signed on 13 May 2009) and the MoU with Canada (signed on 17 May 2011) provide for three-phased arrangements which gradually abolish the sanctions imposed by the United States and Canada on certain Union products pursuant to the authorisation of the WTO of 1999. In this regard, the Union should progressively increase the autonomous tariff-rate quota for beef that is not treated with growth hormones and that fully complies with other import requirements of the Union.
The first-phase tariff-rate quota for high-quality beef of 20 000 tonnes was established by regulation 617/2009.
As a first step, an autonomous tariff quota was established in 2009 for imports of high-quality beef (20 000 t) and this regulation provides for two further increases of this autonomous tariff quota: from 1 July to 21 tonnes and from 1 August 2012 to a total of 48 200 tonnes. The customs duty of this tariff-rate quota will remain fixed at zero.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: 15/06/2012.
APPLICATION: from 01/07/2012.