Activities of Keith TAYLOR related to 2011/0117(COD)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council applying a scheme of generalised tariff preferences PDF (339 KB) DOC (482 KB)
Amendments (40)
Amendment 25 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The European Union aims to define and pursue actions in order to foster the sustainable economic, social and environmental development of developing countries, with the primary aim of eradicating poverty and contributing to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
Amendment 27 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) By providing preferential access to the market of the Union, the scheme should assist developing countries in their efforts to reduce poverty and promote good governance and sustainable development by helping them to diversify their economies and to generate additional revenue through international trade, which can then be re-invested for the benefit of their own development. The scheme’s tariff preferences should focus on helping developing countries having greater development, trade and financial needs.
Amendment 29 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7a) This revised Regulation is an instrument for the EU to comply with Article 37(6) of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement which states that "the Community will assess the situation of those non-LDC countries which, after consultations with the Community decide that they are not in a position to enter into economic partnership agreements and will examine all alternative possibilities, in order to provide these countries with a new framework for trade which is equivalent to their existing situation and in conformity with WTO rules."
Amendment 30 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) The general arrangement should be granted to all those developing countries which share a common developing need and are in a similar stage of economic development. Countries which are classified by the World Bank as high- income or upper-middle income countries have per capita income levels allowing them to attain higher levels of diversification without the scheme’s tariff preferences and include economies which have successfully completed their transition from centralised to market economies. ThosHowever, some countries which are classified by the World Bank as upper-middle income countries, are still vulnerable due to the lack of diversification and their insufficient integration in the world economy. High- income countries and non-vulnerable upper-middle income countries do not share the same development, trade and financial needs as the remaining developing countries; they are at a different stage of economic development, i.e. they are not similarly-situated as the more vulnerable developing countries; and, so as to prevent unjustified discrimination, they need to be treated differently. Furthermore, the use of tariff preferences provided under the scheme by high-income or non- vulnerable upper-middle income countries increases the competitive pressure on exports from poorer, more vulnerable countries and therefore could impose unjustifiable burden on those more vulnerable developing countries. The general arrangement takes account of the fact that the development, financial and trade needs are subject to change and assures that the arrangement remains open if the situation of a country changes. For the sake of consistency, the tariff preferences granted under the general arrangement should not be extended to developing countries which are benefiting from a preferential market access arrangement with the European Union, which provides at least the same level of tariff preferences as the scheme for substantially all trade. To provide a beneficiary country and economic operators with time for an orderly adaptation, the general arrangement should continue to be granted for two years as from the date of application of a preferential market access arrangement and this date should be specified in the list of beneficiary countries of the general arrangement.
Amendment 34 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9 a (new)
Recital 9 a (new)
(9a) The scheme constitutes an alternative for ACP countries which do not wish to conclude Economic Partnership Agreements.
Amendment 35 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 a (new)
Recital 14 a (new)
(14a) Regional integration is an important instrument for sustainable development and a powerful stepping stone towards the integration into the multilateral trading system. It is important that regional integration efforts of least-developed countries are not undermined through the creation of different market access regimes to and with important trade partners, including those related to rules of origin. Developing countries and least developed countries which are building regional economic blocs together share common development, trade and financial needs. Therefore developing countries which belong to a least developed region, meaning a customs union or a free trade area where the majority of the members are least-developed countries, and all members have committed to form a customs union among themselves, should also enjoy the same special arrangement as for the least-developed countries.
Amendment 36 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) The special arrangement for the least- developed countries and least-developed regions should continue to grant duty-free and quota-free access to the European Union market for products originating in the least-developed countries, as recognised and classified by the United Nations, or countries belonging to least- developed regions, except for trade in arms. For a country no longer classified by the UN as a least-developed country or a country formerly belonging to a least- developed region, a transitional period should be established, to alleviate any adverse effects caused by the removal of the tariff preferences granted under this arrangement. Tariff preferences provided under the special arrangement for the least- developed countries and least-developed regions should continue to be granted for those least-developed countries, which benefit from another preferential market access arrangement with the European Union.
Amendment 37 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15 a (new)
Recital 15 a (new)
Amendment 42 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) a special arrangement for the least- developed countries and least-developed regions.
Amendment 43 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) ‘EBA beneficiary countries’ means beneficiary countries of the special incentive arrangement for least developed countries and least-developed regions as listed in Annex IV;
Amendment 44 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) ‘least developed region’ means a customs union or a free trade area where the majority of the members are least- developed countries and all members have committed to form a customs union among themselves through a legally binding instrument setting out timeframes for implementation.
Amendment 46 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
a) it has been classified by the World Bank as a high-income or an upper-middle income country during three consecutive years immediately preceding the update of the list of beneficiary countries;
Amendment 60 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
aa) or it has been classified by the World Bank as an upper-middle income country during the three consecutive years immediately preceding the update of the list of beneficiary countries and it is not considered to be a vulnerable country as defined in Annex VII. Vulnerability refers to a lack of diversification and insufficient integration within the international trading system;
Amendment 62 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. Paragraph 1(b) shall not apply to least- developed countries or to least-developed regions.
Amendment 63 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) the decision to remove a beneficiary country from the list of GSP beneficiary countries, in accordance with paragraph 3 and on the basis of Article 4(1)(a), shall apply as from one year after the date of entry into force of the decision and (aa), shall gradually apply over a period of six years;
Amendment 86 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) it has ratified all the conventions listed in Annex VIII and the most recent available conclusions of the relevant monitoring bodies do not identify a serious failure tond effectively implement any ofed all these conventions listed in Annex VIII;
Amendment 94 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2
Article 10 – paragraph 2
2. The requesting country shall submit its request to the Commission in writing. The request shall provide comprehensive information concerning the ratification and effective implementation of the conventions listed in Annex VIII and shall include the binding undertakings referred to in Article 9(1)(c),(d) and (e).
Amendment 95 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 4
Article 10 – paragraph 4
4. After examining the request, the Commission shall decide whether to grant a requesting country the special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance. The Commission’s decision on initial eligibility shall be made on the basis of the conclusions and recommendations of the relevant monitoring bodies and any information submitted by third parties, including civil society, trade unions or the European Parliament.
Amendment 99 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 7
Article 10 – paragraph 7
7. The Commission shall notify the requesting country of a decision taken in accordance with paragraphs 4 and 5 and publish a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union announcing and justifying its decision. Where the requesting country is granted the special incentive arrangement, it shall be informed of the date on which that decision enters into force.
Amendment 102 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 4
Article 14 – paragraph 4
4. In drawing its conclusions concerning effective implementation of the conventions referred to in Annex VIII the Commission shall assess the conclusions and recommendations of the relevant monitoring bodies, as well as any information submitted by third parties, including civil society, trade unions or the European Parliament.
Amendment 106 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 6
Article 15 – paragraph 6
6. The Commission shall seek all information it considers necessary, inter alia, the conclusions and recommendations of the relevant monitoring bodies, and any information submitted by third parties, including civil society, trade unions or the European Parliament. In drawing its conclusions, the Commission shall assess all relevant information.
Amendment 107 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 8
Article 15 – paragraph 8
8. Where the Commission considers that the findings do not justify temporary withdrawal, it shall adopt a decision to terminate the temporary withdrawal procedure in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 38(2).The decision shall be based on evidence received, and be published immediately.
Amendment 110 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1
Article 17 – paragraph 1
1. An eligible country, as listed in Annex I, shall benefit from the tariff preferences provided under the special arrangement for the least-developed countries, referred to in Article 1(2)(c), and least- developed regions if that country is identified by the United Nations as a least- developed country, or is in a least- developed region, referred to in Article 1(2)(c).
Amendment 116 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 19 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) serious and systematic violations of principles laid down in the conventions listed in Part A of Annex VIII;
Amendment 117 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 19 – paragraph 1 – point d
Amendment 121 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 19 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) serious and systematic infringement of the objectives adopted by Regional Fishery Organisations or any international arrangements of which the European Union is a member concerning the conservation and management of fishery resources.
Amendment 122 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 19 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) with respect to animal protection, serious infringement of Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 of 24 September 2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing, and/or Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 of 22 December 2004 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations.
Amendment 125 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 19 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Amendment 126 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 10 a (new)
Article 19 – paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. For either of the cases referred to in paragraphs 9 and 10, the decision shall be based on evidence received, and be published immediately.
Amendment 130 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 4
Article 22 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts, in accordance with Article 36, to establish rRules related to the procedure for adopting general safeguard measures in particular with respect to deadlines, rights of parties, confidentiality, disclosure, verification, visits and reviews shall be established under the ordinary legislative procedure.
Amendment 154 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 33 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. A developing country within a least- developed region shall be classified as "beneficiary country" as defined in Article 67(a) of Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93.
Amendment 155 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 2 b (new)
Article 33 – paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. A least developed region is considered to be a regional group as defined in Article 67(k) of Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93.
Amendment 158 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 2
Article 36 – paragraph 2
2. The delegation of power referred to in Articles 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22 and 20 shall be conferred for an indeterminate period of time from the date of entry into force of this Regulation.
Amendment 165 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex V – Table
Annex V – Table
Section Chapter CN Code Description Sensitive/non- sensitive S-1a 02 0208 90 70 Frogs’ legs NS deleted deleted deleted
Amendment 172 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex V- Table
Annex V- Table
Amendment 177 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex V – Table
Annex V – Table
Amendment 191 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex VII – heading
Annex VII – heading
Modalities for the application of Article 4 and Chapter III
Amendment 192 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex VII – point 1 – introductory part
Annex VII – point 1 – introductory part
1. For the purposes of Article 4 and Chapter III a vulnerable country means a country:
Amendment 201 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex VIII – Part B - point 27 a (new)
Annex VIII – Part B - point 27 a (new)
27a. United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982) relating to the conservation and management of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks
Amendment 207 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IX – Table
Annex IX – Table
Section Chapter CN Code Description Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and S-16 84 Chapter 84 mechanical appliances, and parts thereof S-16 deleted deleted deleted