91997E3424

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3424/97 by José Pomés Ruiz (PPE) to the Commission (31 October 1997)

Subject: Meat quotas

Can the Commission explain how the quotas are decided for imports of sirloin of beef from Argentina and Brazil and what conditions are required of enterprises importing meat of this kind?

Can the Commission also provide information on the most recent distribution of meat quotas for beef from the above-named countries?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (26 November 1997)

The country-specific import quotas for high quality beef such as striploin ('Solomillo') are based on the undertakings of the Community in the framework of the agreement on agriculture concluded under the Uruguay Round.

The detailed rules of application for the quota year 1997/1998 are laid down in Commission Regulation (EC) No 936/97 of 27 May 1997 opening and providing for the administration of tariff quotas for high-quality fresh, chilled and frozen beef and for frozen buffalo meat ((OJ L 137, 28.5.1997. )). The Community criteria for importers of high quality beef are fixed by Article 4(a) which reads 'the licence applicants must be natural or legal persons who, at the time their applications are submitted, have been engaged for at least 12 months in trade in beef and veal between Member States or with third countries and who are registered in a Member State for VAT purposes'.

The 1997/1998 high quality beef quotas for Argentina and Brazil are 28 000 tonnes and 5 000 tonnes respectively.