91998E4068

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4068/98

by Jaime Valdivielso de Cué (PPE) to the Commission

(14 January 1999)

Subject: Trade

In October 1998 the Czech Republic announced that it was taking unilateral measures against EU pigmeat exports and raising customs duties from the then current rate of 12 % to some 40,9 %. Hungary and Poland apparently intend to follow suit.

Could the Commission say what steps it will take against the above countries, which, through their unilateral action, have violated or are about to violate the Europe Agreements and may harm a sector of immense socio-economic importance for the EU in general and Spain in particular?

Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(16 February 1999)

The Commission is aware that the Czech Republic intended to increase import duties on Community pigmeat to counter the negative impact on the Czech market of imports, in particular those from the Community. The Commission had set refunds at a level designed to promote exports of pigmeat, primarily to Russia, in an attempt to solve the problems on the Community pigmeat market, but this also led to an increase in exports to the Czech Republic and other associated countries destabilising their pigmeat markets.

Other associated countries were planning similar measures. The Commission has had talks with the authorities of the countries in question with a view to ensuring that they continue to respect the provisions of the Europe Agreements. The Commission would inform the Honourable Member that, as a result of these consultations, none of the countries in question have applied such measures.