Decision (EU) 2019/1316 on the signing of the Agreement between the United States of America and the European Union on the allocation to the US of a share in the tariff rate quota for high quality beef

Summary:

Council Decision of 15 July 2019 on the signing of an agreement between the EU and the US regarding the annual tariff rate quota for high quality beef, with a view to settling the beef hormone dispute.

Further information:

On 19 October 2018, the Council of the European Union authorised the European Commission to open negotiations with the United States of America concerning the operation of the tariff rate quota (TRQ) provided for by Regulation (EC) No 617/2009, with a view to allocating a share in the TRQ to the United States, in order to reach a definitive resolution of the long-standing WTO dispute DS26 (the 'beef hormone dispute'). The negotiations were successfully concluded in February 2019.

Background:

Pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 617/2009, the EU opened an annual tariff rate quota for high quality beef in compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the European Commission and the United States and its revised version of 21 October 2013, regarding the importation of beef from animals not treated with certain growth-promoting hormones. The revised MoU sets out a roadmap aimed at settling the WTO dispute EC – Measures concerning Meat and Meat Products (Hormones).

In December 2016, the US took steps to reinstate increased duties on certain EU products in connection with WTO dispute DS26. The procedure was opened upon the request of the US beef industry who raised concerns about the implementation of the TRQ. With a view to avoid the reinstatement of increased duties, the EU and the US conducted consultations regarding the operation of the revised MoU, whereby the US requested the allocation of a share of the tariff rate quota.

Official

EUR-Lex: COM(2019)296: Proposal for a Decision on the signing of an agreement with the United States of America on the allocation to the US of a share in the tariff rate quota provided for by Regulation (EC) No 617/2009 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2019:296:FIN

EUR-Lex: COM(2019)297: Proposal for a Decision on the conclusion of an agreement with the United States of America on the allocation to the US of a share in the tariff rate quota provided for by Regulation (EC) No 617/2009 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2019:297:FIN

European Commission: Press Release, 02/08/2019: The European Union and the United States sign an agreement on imports of hormone-free beef https://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-19-5010_en.htm

---

ESO Records

EU-US trade: European Commission recommends settling longstanding WTO dispute https://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-us-trade-european-commission-recommends-settling-longstanding-wto-dispute/

---