PURPOSE: to extend the autonomous tariff quotas of the Union on imports of certain fishery products into the Canary Islands for a new period of seven years, i.e. from 2014 to 2020.
PROPOSED ACT: Council Regulation.
ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the Council adopts the act after consulting the European Parliament but without being obliged to take account of Parliament’s opinion.
BACKGROUND: the Canary Islands are one of the outermost regions of the European Union, for which special measures may be foreseen, pursuant to Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, in order to overcome the economic disadvantages these regions suffer due to their geographical situation.
Since 1991, the European Union has suspended, partially or in full, the Common Custom Tariff duties on imports of certain fishery products into the Canary Islands.
The exceptional geographical situation of the Canary Islands in relation to the sources of supply of fishery products which are essential for domestic consumption entails costs that are a severe burden for this sector. This is why the Spanish government has made a request for the prolongation of the measures under Council Regulation (EC) No 645/2008 opening and providing for the administration of autonomous Community tariff quotas on imports of certain fishery products into the Canary Islands.
IMPACT ASSESSMENT: an impact assessment was not deemed necessary. The examination of the reports by the Spanish authorities provided the necessary basis for the preparation of the Commission proposal.
LEGAL BASIS: Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
CONTENT: with the aim of giving a long term perspective to economic operators to reach a level of activities which stabilises the economic and social environment on the islands, the Commission is proposing the extension, for an additional period, of the autonomous tariff quota of the Common Customs Tariff duties for certain goods as detailed in the Annex of Regulation (EC) No 645/2008.
Measures are envisaged to ensure that:
This 7-year period synchronises the measures with other actions of the Union in favour of the Canary Islands, in particular those proposed in the context of the Commission's proposal for a European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.
BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: the proposal has implications for the Union budget since the duty suspensions will lead to loss in revenue of the Union's own resources estimated at EUR 9.1 million per year.