Brussels, 25/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament is calling on the European Commission to plan action in case Norway refuses to comply.
In a resolution adopted on Thursday 25 April (by 25 votes to 5), the European Parliament's international trade committee criticises Oslo's recent protectionist move - increasing its import taxes as part of the change to its financial system in 2013 - which affects European exports of cheese and lamb.
The government of Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg decided in autumn 2012 to improve the income of Norway's farmers by increasing certain import taxes on agricultural products. In real terms, this means an increase of 277% in customs duties on both sorts of cheese (soft and hard), and an increase of 439% in import duties on lamb. The tax changes also affect beef (steak and fillet). This move was preceded by a tax of 72% on hydrangea flowers. Trade in agricultural goods is excluded from the scope of the European Economic Area agreement - an agreement which makes Norway part of the EU's internal market. Article 19 nevertheless obliges signatories to try to liberalise their agricultural trade gradually.
The international trade committee therefore calls on Norway to abandon its prohibitive duties, which the committee considers a breach, in letter and spirit, of the EU-Norway agreement, and the committee urges the Commission to consider action if Norway refuses to comply with the EU's demands.
The draft resolution will be submitted to the vote in the European Parliament plenary session in May. (EH/transl.fl)