Strasbourg, 21/06/2000 (Agence Europe) - With the adoption of the report by Luxembourg Christian Democrat Astrid Lulling, the European Parliament gave a positive opinion on the proposals for changing the Finnish beer import system. According to the terms of the EU accession treaty, Finland is authorised to set a limit of 15 litres for imports by individuals of duty-free beer from other Member States. Exemption was granted until 31 December 1996 and extended until 31 December 2003. In parallel, Finland was invited to gradually lift the import restrictions in order to limit the impact on the free movement of goods in the single market. The European Commission proposes to set intra-Community duty-free at 24 litres, then at 32 litres on 1 January 2001 and at 64 litres on 1 January 2003. From 1 January 2004 at the very latest, Finland should apply the general rules in force in the Community.
Finland would be authorised, as it requested, to restrict to six litres beer imports from third countries on 1 April 2000 till 1 January 2006. Customs duties affecting beer in Finland are so high that there is a phenomenal rise in private imports, mainly from Estonia and Russia. Finland has a public health problem linked to consumer growth and a substantial loss in tax receipts.
The Parliament approved the measures cited but introduced an amendment aimed at guaranteeing non-discrimination of Estonia should this country join the Union before 1 January 2006.