Beef help for Argentina
20 May 2004
In response to the economic and social crisis
in Argentina, EU Agriculture Commissioner Fischler announced the
opening of an additional 10,000 tonne quota for quality beef (Hilton
Beef) imports. Argentina now enjoys an annual quota of 38,000 tonnes
on which a duty of only 20% is applied.
Editorial comment
The gradual expansion of duty free access for third countries with
whom the EU is seeking to conclude free trade area agreements will
progressively erode ACP margins of preference for agricultural exports.
This highlights the need for ACP countries to work out how they
can improve the marketing and hence financial returns on their beef
exports to the EU.