Bananas: common organisation of the market CMO (amend. Regulation (EEC) No 404/93)

PURPOSE: To amend Regulation 404/93/EEC regarding the quantity of banana tariff quotas from third countries and ACP countries. COMMUNITY MEASURE: Council Regulation 2587/2001/EC amending Regulation 404/93/EEC on the common organisation of the market in bananas. CONTENT: The amended Regulation allows for an adjustment in the allocation of tariff quotas for bananas originating in third countries or from ACP countries. The aim is to widen access for bananas originating in third countries whilst at the same time ensuring admission for a specific quantity of bananas originating in ACP countries. The following tariff quotas have been set: - A tariff quota of 2 200 000 tonnes net weight called "quota A". - An additional tariff quota of 453 000 tonnes net weight, called "quota B". - An autonomous tariff quota of 750 000 tonnes net weight, called "Quota C". What this means effectively is that 100 000 tonnes will be transferred from quota C to quota B in line with EU obligations negotiated by the Commission with the United States and Ecuador. Quotas A and B shall be open for imports of products originating in all third countries. Quota C shall be open for imports of products originating in ACP countries. Imports under quotas A and B and imports of bananas from third countries other than the ACP countries shall be subject to a customs duty of EUR 75 per tonne. Imports of products originating in the ACP countries shall be subject to a zero duty. Further, imports under C quota will be subject to a zero duty. A tariff preference for EUR 300 per tonne shall apply to imports originating in ACP countries. Also amended has been the possibility for Member States to exclude produce from new plantations from Community aid in order to preserve the objectives of sustainable development. Additionally the CN codes for products covered by the arrangements have been updated. The provisions on financing aid for Community producers have been clarified and the provisions on the committee procedure have been updated in line with legal developments. ENTRY INTO FORCE: 01/01/02.�