THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 207(2) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee,
Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure,
Whereas:
(1)
Council Regulation (EC) No 774/94 has been substantially amended several times. In the interests of clarity and rationality, that Regulation should be codified.
(2)
The Union negotiated tariff concessions under Article XXVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and under the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations. Those negotiations led to agreements which were approved by Council Decision 94/87/EC and Council Decision 94/800/EC.
(3)
Those agreements provide for the opening, under certain conditions, of annual tariff quotas for high-quality beef falling within CN codes 0201 30 00, 0202 30 90, 0206 10 95 and 0206 29 91, pigmeat falling within CN codes 0203 19 13 and 0203 29 15, poultrymeat falling within CN codes 0207 14 10, 0207 14 50, 0207 14 70, 0207 27 10, 0207 27 20 and 0207 27 80, wheat and meslin falling within CN codes 1001 11 00, 1001 19 00 and 1001 99 00, and brans, sharps and other residues falling within CN codes 2302 30 10, 2302 30 90, 2302 40 10 and 2302 40 90.
(4)
Those agreements cover an undetermined period. In the interests of rationalisation and efficiency, the quotas should therefore be opened on a multiannual basis.
(5)
A system guaranteeing the nature, provenance and origin of the products may prove to be appropriate. To that end, imports within the framework of the agreed tariff concessions should be subject, where appropriate, to the presentation of a certificate of authenticity.
(6)
It may be appropriate to spread out those imports over the year on the basis of the needs of the Union market. To that end, a system for using up quotas based on the presentation of an import licence may prove appropriate.
(7)
In order to supplement or amend certain non-essential elements of this Regulation, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the adoption of amendments to this Regulation, should the volumes and other conditions of quota arrangements be adjusted, in particular as a result of a Council decision concluding an agreement with one or more third countries. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level. The Commission, when preparing and drawing up delegated acts, should ensure a simultaneous, timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the European Parliament and to the Council.
(8)
In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Regulation in respect of the rules necessary for the administration of the quota arrangements referred to in this Regulation, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council,
HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: