The proposal was amended as follows:

Text proposed by the Commission   Amendments by Parliament (Amendment 8) Recital 6    (6) A limit of not less than 6 litres of beer seems appropriate, regard being had to the geographical situation of Finland and the economic difficulties of Finnish retailers located in the border regions and the considerable loss of revenues caused by the increased duty-free imports of beer from third countries.    (6) A limit of not less than 6 litres of beer seems appropriate, regard being had to the geographical situation of Finland and the economic difficulties of Finnish retailers located in the border regions caused by the increased duty-free imports of beer from third countries. (Amendment 9) Recital 7    (7) It is necessary to set a time-limit for this derogation in order to ensure that the equal treatment of travellers throughout the Community is ensured after a transitional period .    (7) It is necessary to set a time-limit for this derogation in order to ensure that the equal treatment of travellers throughout the Community is ensured. (Amendment 10) Recital 8a (new) (8a) Finland has fiscal sovereignty to apply excise taxes at a level it deems most appropriate. The provisions of this Regulation do not affect that status. Finland may, however, decide that a reduction of excise differentials with other Member States could help prevent an otherwise likely increase in cross-border shopping levels as the current restrictions on intra-EU personal imports are eased.

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

-  having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2000) 76 ),

-  having been consulted by the Council (C5-0138/2000 ),

-  having regard to Rule 67 of its Rules of Procedure,

-  having regard to the report of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (A5-0144/2000 ),

1.  Approves the Commission proposal as amended;

2.  Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty;

3.  Calls on the Council to notify Parliament should it intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

4.  Calls for the conciliation procedure to be initiated should the Council intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

5.  Asks to be consulted again if the Council intends to amend the Commission proposal substantially;

6.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and Commission.