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COUNCIL ESTIMATE

of 8 February 1988

concerning beef and veal intended for the processing industry for the period 1 January to 31 December 1988

(88/82/EEC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 805/68 of 27 June 1968 on the common organization of the market in beef and veal (1), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 3905/87 (2), and in particular Article 14 (2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

HAS ADOPTED THIS ESTIMATE:

Introduction

Article 14 (2) of Regulation (EEC) No 805/68 provides that each year before 1 December the Council shall draw up an estimate of meat which may be imported under the arrangements laid down in that Article.

This estimate shall cover the period from 1 January to 31 December 1988. It has been prepared in the light of information available to the Commission and on the basis of current forecasts. It is derived from estimates of demand in the industry and of Community supplies of meats of qualities and types of cut suitable for industrial use, hereinafter referred to as 'meat for processing'.

Demand in the industry for meat for processing has been assessed by reference to the quantities of fresh or frozen meat used each year.

Community supplies of meat for processing have been estimated by reference to the quantities of fresh meat normally used for this purpose.

In adopting this estimate, the Council has taken account of the fact that, in accordance with Article 31 of Regulation (EEC) No 805/68, that Regulation must be applied in such a way that appropriate account is taken, at the same time, of the objectives set out in Articles 39 and 110 of the Treaty.

I

Supplies of meat for processing

According to information supplied to the Commission by the Member States in September 1987. Community supplies of home-produced fresh meat for processing for 1988 can be estimated at 1 150 000 tonnes of meat on the bone.

It is also estimated that at the end of 1987 the Community will hold a public stock of meat as a result of intervention buying. The quantity of this meat satisfying the requirements of meat for processing can be estimated at 315 800 tonnes of meat on the bone.

It can also be considered that at the end of 1987 there will be a stock of meat held in cold stores as a result of the granting of private storage aid for the storage of carcases, half-carcases, hindquarters and forequarters of adult bovine animals. The quantity of this meat satisfying the requirements of meat for processing can be estimated at 15 000 tonnes of meat on the bone.

With effect from 1 January 1988 the Community has opened a tariff quota for 53 000 tonnes of frozen meat, which corresponds to 68 831 tonnes of meat on the bone.

Experience indicates that, under this quota 7 000 tonnes of frozen meat on the bone will be imported for processing in 1988.

For 1988, the quantity of meat originating in Botswana, Kenya, Madagascar, Swaziland and Zimbabwe which may be imported into the Community and which satisfies the requirements for processing may be estimated at 8 000 tonnes of meat on the bone.

For 1988 the total available supplies intended for processing will thus be as follows:

1.2 // // (tonnes) // - fresh meat: // 1 150 000 // - frozen meat taken over at intervention: // 315 800 // - frozen meat stored under the system of private storage aid: // 15 000 // - frozen meat imported under GATT quota: // 7 000 // - frozen meat imported under ACP Convention 1987, p. 7.

II

Industrial demand for meat for processing

According to information supplies to the Commission by the Member States in September 1987, Community demand for meat for processing in 1988 can be estimated at 1 296 450 tonnes of meat on the bone.

This figure includes quantities required for the preparation of preserved foods as specified in Article 14 (1) (a) of Regulation (EEC) No 805/68. This latter quantity is estimated at 192 000 tonnes.

Conclusions

On the basis of the foregoing, Community supplies of meat for processing will exceed the demand in industry in 1988.

However, having regard to the need to take appropriate account, at the same time, when applying Regulation (EEC) No 805/68, of the objectives set out in Articles 39 and 110 of the Treaty, and above all given the importance of the imports concerned in the context of the trade relations between the Community and the non-member countries which supply it, the estimate for meat intended for the processing industry which may be imported in 1988 under the arrangements provided for in Article 14 of the aforesaid Regulation is fixed at 12 000 tonnes.

It has been decided to apportion this tonnage, as required by Article 14 (1) of the said Regulation, so that:

- 8 500 tonnes of meat intended for the manufacture of preserved food which does not contain characteristic components other than beef and jelly shall qualify for the total suspension of the levy, and

- 3 500 tonnes of meat intended for the processing industry for the manufacture of products other than the preserved foods referred to in the first indent shall quality of the total or partial suspension of the levy.

Done at Brussels, 8 February 1988.

For the Council

The President

I. KIECHLE arrangements: // 8 000 // Total // 1 495 800

(1) OJ No L 148, 28. 6. 1968, p. 24. (2) OJ No L 370, 30. 12.