The European Commission manages the trade regime for processed agricultural products (PAPs) listed in Regulation (EU) No 510/2014.
The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union have given the Commission the power to complement the basic regulation and to implement detailed rules in relation to trade arrangements for processed agricultural products.
The foreign trade regime for PAPs consists of trade arrangements governing their import (i.e. import duties) on the one hand, and rules governing the payment of export refunds on the other.
The import duties generally include an industrial element (ad-valorem duty) and an agricultural element (reflecting the tariff applicable to the agricultural ingredients). A number of products such as spirits, processed fruit and vegetables, pectic substances and tobacco products, bear an ad-valorem duty or a specific duty (per quantity). Several particular regimes apply for other products.
Under certain circumstances, the EU pays export refunds for basic agricultural products (dairy products, sugar, eggs, cereals and rice) that are exported in the form of processed agricultural products. Since 2014, export refunds may only be granted in cases of major market disturbance.
Decision-making
To prepare acts complementing or implementing the trade regime for PAPs, the Commission consults authorities in EU countries, in line with articles 290 and 291 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
Expert Group for Processed Agricultural Products
The ‘Expert Group on delegated acts under Regulation (EU) No 510/2014 for horizontal questions concerning trade in processed agricultural products not listed in Annex I’ meets every time it is required to prepare delegated acts designed to complement the basic regulation. At these meetings, experts from EU countries and the European Parliament can advise the Commission on the draft act.
After the consultation, the Commission may adopt a delegated act, which is subject to the scrutiny of the European Parliament and the Council.
Management Committee for Processed Agricultural Products
The ‘Management Committee for Horizontal questions concerning trade in processed agricultural products not listed in Annex I’ meets several times a year. The Committee is composed of representatives of EU countries.
The Committee adopts opinions on draft implementing measures submitted by the Commission. The Committee is consulted according to the rules laid down in article 5 of Regulation (EU) no 182/2011 (examination procedure).
The Committee also provides a forum for the exchange of opinions to enhance the flow of information between EU countries and the Commission.