On Friday 14 June, the representatives of the Member States, meeting within the EU Council's Trade Policy Committee, approved the agreement to increase the US share of an existing duty-free tariff quota by 45,000 tonnes of hormone-free beef.
Last March, EUROPE had already reported that an agreement was reached to amend the EU-US Memorandum of Understanding by allocating more than three-quarters of this quota, or 35,000 tonnes, to the US partner – phased over 7 years (see EUROPE 12215/9).
The 3 months since then have allowed the European Commission to “consult” stakeholders, Uruguay, Argentina and Australia, who previously shared about 60% of the existing quota. These countries have not received any compensation for the reduction in their access, European sources have pointed out. They have reportedly therefore given way due to the risk of the MOU simply disappearing, which one source claims would have been the result of their obstruction of this solution.
This solution puts an end to the EU-US dispute that arose in 2009 following the EU's refusal to allow imports of US beef containing hormones.
The Commission will submit to the EU Council, after the summer break, a proposal to authorise the signature and conclusion of the agreement with Washington, after Parliament has given the go-ahead. (Original version in French by Hermine Donceel)