Proposal for a Regulation 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

A Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the European Commission regarding the importation of beef from animals not treated with certain growth-promoting hormones and increased duties applied by the United States to certain products of the European Communities was signed in Geneva on 13 May 2009.

It foresees a three-phased arrangement which progressively reduces the level of sanctions imposed by the United States on products from the Union, while the Union progressively increases the tariff-rate quota for high-quality beef that is not treated with growth hormones.

On 17 March 2011, the Commission also signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Canada and the European Commission regarding the importation of beef from animals not treated with certain growth-promoting hormones and increased duties applied by Canada to certain products of the European Union.

This Memorandum of Understanding brings about the suspension of all sanctions imposed by Canada and stipulates the further expansion of the Union autonomous tariff rate quota for high-quality beef by 1,500 tonnes (first phase) and additional 1,700 tonnes (second phase).

In order to be in a position to establish the above-mentioned increases of the existing tariff rate quota for high-quality beef, to a total of 21,500 tonnes (first phase) and subsequently, 48,200 tonnes foreseen in the second phase of both Memoranda of Understanding starting on 1 August 2012, the legislative procedure needs to be started in a timely manner.

This is also necessary in order to follow the Resolution adopted by the European Parliament on 8 March 2011 calling on the Commission to ensure that the settlement of the 'beef hormones' dispute will allow for the suspension of the sanctions on EU products, while guaranteeing that beef imports to the EU will be in line with EU requirements.

EUR-Lex: COM(2011)384: Follow the progress of this document through the decision-making procedure http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2011:384:FIN

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