Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
2142. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the agreement by the EU with the United States of America for the tariff quota of imports of hormone free beef into Europe (details supplied); the annual quantities in tonnes that will be permitted into the EU; and the position Ireland took. [34298/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU and the United States of America will soon sign an agreement reviewing the functioning of an existing trade arrangement ensuring an autonomous tariff quota (TRQ) for imports of high-quality beef into the EU. This agreement will provide a solution to a longstanding dispute in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on the issue. The current status of the agreement is that it was agreed at Council on 15th July 2019 and will now go forward for approval by Parliament.
The intention is that the existing hormone-free beef quota of 45,000 tonnes will remain at exactly the same level, with the main change arising in relation to the amount of 35,000 tonnes of the quota which will be “ring fenced” for the US. On this issue Irish and European beef producers need have no fears that the adjustment to the quota arrangements would see any more than the existing quota limit of hormone-free beef enter the EU. It is also clear that any change in the existing arrangements will have to be in compliance with WTO rules.
The Agreement also outlines that the allocation for the US will phased in over a 7 year period.
USA Others
- Year 1 18.5k 26.5k
- Year 2 23k 22k
- Year 3 25.4k 19.6k
- Year 4 27.8k 17.2k
- Year 5 30.2k 14.8k
- Year 6 32.6k 12.4k
- Year 7 35k 10K
Quota year is from 1st July to 30th June and annual volume will be divided among four quarterly sub-periods.
