Under the EU/Canada Trade agreement initialled last month by President Barroso and the Canadian Prime Minister, Canada was awarded a tariff rate quota for beef of 50,000 tonnes carcase weight equivalent. This equates to a quota of 39,000 tonnes of boneless beef. The quota is split between fresh/chilled beef comprising 31,000 tonnes, plus the existing 4,000 tonnes quota as part of the Hormones Agreement, and frozen beef comprising 15,000 tonnes. As regards pigmeat, Canada was awarded a quota of 75,000 tonnes.
The agreement has yet to be endorsed by the EU Council of Ministers and the European Parliament. Moreover, certain matters, including details of the management of tariff rate quotas, have still to be finalised. However, I can tell you that under EU veterinary legislation the principle of equivalence will apply. This means that all imports of beef and pigmeat into the EU must be produced to standards equivalent to those applicable in the EU and in plants that are approved by the EU Commission. The regime is monitored by the EU Food and Veterinary Office.
In practical terms, any imports of beef and pigmeat from Canada will be accompanied by veterinary certificates issued by the Canadian authorities which will, inter alia, certify origin and that the animals have not been treated with hormones.