Agricultural prices 1998/1999: beef and veal, common organisation of the market COM (amend. Regul. 805/68/EEC)

Agricultural Prices 1998/99 - Beef and veal (ceilings for premiums) Examination of the number of applications for the special premium in each Member State, the regional ceiling and the number of animals slaughtered has shown that Portugal and Spain have applications significantly in excess of their regional ceiling and the ratio between the ceiling and the number of animals slaughtered is lower than the average in the EU. In order to bring the regional ceilings closer to the actual level of production, it is proposed to increase the Portuguese and Spanish ceiling from 1 January 1997. In the 1996 November package, the ceiling for male animals qualifying for the special premium was reduced by 20% (in average) for the years 1997 and 1998, this means that in 1999 the old higher ceiling will again enter into force. It was also decided to authorize the Commission to take the necessary measures relating to the unused rights for suckler cows which revert to the national reserve during the same years 1997 and 1998. The Commission decided to freeze these unused rights. In order to maintain market balance until the adoption of the long-term reform in the context of Agenda 2000, it is proposed to extend these two measures by one year up to the end of 1999. �