EU/USA Revised Memorandum of Understanding: importation of beef from animals not treated with certain growth-promoting hormones and increased duties applied by the USA to certain products of the EU

PURPOSE: to conclude the revised Memorandum of Understanding with the United States regarding the Importation of beef from animals not treated with growth-promoting hormones.

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT : Council Decision 2014/44/EU on the conclusion of the revised Memorandum of Understanding with the United States of America regarding the importation of beef from animals not treated with certain growth-promoting hormones and increased duties applied by the United States to certain products of the European Union.

BACKGROUND: in accordance with Council Decision 2013/523/EU, the revised Memorandum of Understanding with the United States of America regarding the importation of beef from animals not treated with certain growth-promoting hormones and increased duties applied by the United States to certain products of the European Union, was signed on 21 October 2013, subject to its conclusion at a later date.

The revised Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) should now be approved.

CONTENT: with this Decision, the council, with the approval of Parliament, approves the revised Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the EU.

Objectives and scope: the MoU sets out different steps concerning the importation of beef not treated with growth-promoting hormones into the EU, as well the imposition of trade sanctions by the United States against EU products as part of the WTO dispute on ‘Measures Concerning Meat and Meat Products (Hormones)’. These steps are grouped in three phases, opening with a tariff quota for "High Quality Beef", and the US, in exchange, reducing the level of sanctions applied to EU products.

The three steps are described in the MoU.

Quota management and monitoring: provision is made for administering the tariff rate quota in accordance with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994.

The United States and the EU:

·        should monitor and review the operation of the MoU;

·        upon the request of either Party, conduct additional bilateral consultations regarding the operation of the MoU, including issues of quota management.

Either the United States or the EU may withdraw from the MoU by providing written notice to the other Party.

The MoU defines what is meant by ‘High Quality Beef'. The indication 'High Quality Beef' may be added to the information on the label.

Disputes: provisions are made concerning the settlement of disputes as regards the implementation of the MoU.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 28.01.2014.