22 April 2004

Cheese Imports and EU expansion - effective June 1, 2004

This is to advise members that effective June 1, 2004, an EU export certificate will be required for in-quota cheese imports from 10 additional countries (i.e., in addition to the current 15 EU member states).

The 10 additional countries are: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia.

Please also note that import permits issued by the Export and Import Permits Bureau after May 31, 2004 for cheese from the 10 acceding countries will (along with import permits from the current 15 EU member states) be counted against the portion of the tariff rate quota (TRQ) reserved for EU cheese.

During a transition period, from May 1-May 31, 2004, cheese quota holders will have the option of using either the EU or non-EU portion of their TRQ allocations to import cheese from the 10 acceding countries.

Importers are encouraged to take these developments into account when planning their import purchases and schedules.

Members with questions should contact Stéphan Moreau at (613) 996-2594.