Brussels, 03/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - As the increase in Norwegian duty on several EU agricultural products cannot be attacked within the framework of either the WTO or the EEA, other options are being looked into.
With the legal experts of the Commission having reported that action at the WTO or within the framework of the agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA) is not possible against the increase in Norwegian duty on European exports of cheeses, lamb and beef meat and hydrangeas, the European Commission is believed to be looking into other solutions against the protectionist measures taken by Oslo. The Commission, which takes the view that these measures will have an extremely limited impact in the short term, is considering retaliatory measures in other areas, according to a source close to the dossier. The issue could also be dealt with as part of the forthcoming revision of the commercial agreement of the EEA, which is scheduled to start in September. Concessions for other products may be requested from Norway by way of compensation.
In autumn 2012, Oslo decided to improve the income of Norwegian farmers by increasing certain import taxes on agricultural products. In real terms, this means a 277% increase in duty on hard and soft cheeses, 429% for lamb meat and 344% for beef meat. This move was preceded by the introduction of 72% duty on hydrangeas. The trade in agricultural products is excluded from the scope of the EEA agreement, which makes Norway part of the internal market. However, the agreement obliges its signatories progressively to liberalise their agricultural trade. (EH/transl.fl)