Brussels, 02/04/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday, the European Commission adopted a proposal aiming to liberalise from 1 January 2002 onwards most agricultural trade between the EU and Estonia (the first agreements between the EU and candidate countries to liberalise trade in non-sensitive agricultural products was signed in 2000). Estonia is the first candidate countries with which the Commission has reached agreement to take a further step in mutually liberalising farm trade in the "double zero" agreements aiming to set tariff quotas for sensitive products like cereals, dairy products and beef, while fully liberalising trade in all other products - cucumbers, artichokes, courgettes, pears, cherries, strawberries and barley for malt production, etc) (see EUROPE of 26 January, p.13).
Among the quotas for products from Estonia that are now covered by zero duty are fresh or frozen beef and beef products (1100 tonnes a year); pork (2000 tonnes); poultry meat and offal (1005 tonnes); milk and dairy cream (800 tonnes); skimmed and full-fat milk powder (14,000 tonnes); yoghurt (800 tonnes); butter (4800 tonnes), fromage frais (1120 tonnes) and other cheese (4000 tonnes); chicken eggs (600 tonnes); fresh apples (400 tonnes); wheat (4400 tonnes); rye (1500 tonnes); seed barley (6500 tonnes); and oats (4800 tonnes). Imports of live cattle will be subject to 20% customs duty up to a quota of more than 300,000 head of cattle. The minimum price system for specific fruit will be maintained.
The Commission notes in a press release that negotiations are continuing with the other candidate countries.