WRITTEN QUESTION E-1867/99 by Samuli Pohjamo (ELDR) to the Commission. Norwegian tariffs on processed reindeer meat.
C 203 E/76 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 18. 7. 2000 (2000/C 203 E/093) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1867/99 by Samuli Pohjamo (ELDR) to the Commission (14 October 1999) Subject: Norwegian tariffs on processed reindeer meat Traditionally, reindeer meat has been exported from Finnish Lapland to Norway. From the point of view of the development of the industry, it would be desirable for some of the meat to be exported in processed form and not simply as meat. Norway protects its meat-processing industry by means of high customs and import duties. Those on unprocessed meat are temporarily reduced when the Norwegian meat-processing industry requires raw materials. As a result, processing of reindeer meat is not viable in Finland. What will the Commission do to prevent such selective imposition of duties being used to distort competition within the EEA? Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (24 November 1999) Trade in agriculture and fisheries products (defined as products falling outside chapters 25 to 97 of the Harmonised commodity description and coding system) is excluded from the scope of the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement by its Article 8. The EEA is not a customs union, so there are no common rules on the alignment or harmonisation of customs duties or practices. There is therefore no legal basis under which the Commission can take measures to persuade Norway to alter its tariff structure. There is a possibility within the EEA Agreement (Article 19) for the negotiation of supplementary bilateral liberalisation in agricultural trade. However, a request for reform of the Norwegian tariff structure would undoubtedly result in a reciprocal demand from Norway for a reduction in the Community tariff. The Commission therefore does not consider that this course would be wise at present. (2000/C 203 E/094) WRITTEN QUESTION P-1872/99 by Evelyne Gebhardt (PSE) to the Commission (12 October 1999) Subject: Baden-Württemberg origin and quality mark Are press reports suggesting that the Commission intends to abolish government funding for Baden- Württemberg food product marks correct? What measures are proposed, and on what grounds and on what legal basis? Which products and which types of mark are affected? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (5 November 1999) The Commission is currently reviewing the Community framework for state aid for the promotion and advertising of agricultural products (Commission communication concerning state involvement in the promotion of agricultural and fisheries products (1) and the framework for national aids for the advertising of agricultural products and certain products not listed in Annex I to the EEC Treaty, excluding fishery products) (2). This review is meant to clarify the existing rules and to update them in the light of developments in Community legislation and the carelaw of the Court of justice. It is not, however, intended to make major changes of substance to the existing rules