Brussels, 02/02/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 1st February, the European Commission adopted a regulation introducing a system of import licences for apples originating in third countries. This measure is designed to prevent massive imports into Europe of apples from some southern hemisphere countries (Argentina, New Zealand, Australia).
In November 2005, France asked the Commission to introduce a safeguard clause to limit as quickly as possible Community imports of apples from third countries, which increased by 300,000 tonnes in three years. The EU is not going that far in taking trade measures, but its certificate system is intended to improve apple import control. The third country operator will have to lay down a 15 euro per tonne security to be able to obtain an import certificate. This system of import certificates will be replaced in 2007 by a new IT-based centralised reporting system. The Commission has also invited the major apple exporting countries to take part in round table discussions in March on market assessment in this sector.