Verbatim report of proceedings

Wednesday, 21 November 2012 - Strasbourg

5.8. EU-Russia Agreement on the administration of tariff-rate quotas applying to exports of wood (A7-0177/2012 - Inese Vaidere) (vote)

Before the vote:

  Inese Vaidere (PPE). – Madam President, because there was no debate on this very important subject I just wanted to say a few words. I will continue in my language, Latvian.

– (LV) Ladies and gentlemen, the bilateral agreement on the administration of tariff-rate quotas applying to exports of wood from the Russian Federation to the European Union is an important guarantee that trade with Russia will start to flow in a more stable and much more predictable manner. In joining the World Trade Organisation Russia has agreed to reduce export duties on raw materials, including on two types of coniferous wood: pine and spruce. The agreement is very important, because it lays down a specific quota share within the framework of which export duties are significantly lower.

The main beneficiary will be the European Union’s wood-processing industry. Our businesses will now pay nearly half as much in Russian export duties as they have done up until now. We can expect that import volumes in the coming years will approach the levels seen prior to 2008, when Russia unexpectedly increased export duties and the European Union’s imports of coniferous wood and round timber fell by 80 %.

At the same time, it is very important to note that there is a protocol attached to this agreement which contains binding rules on a dispute-resolution procedure. We have also managed to win an important victory for Parliament, which is that amendments to the trade agreement in future are to be carried out within the ordinary legislative procedure, although the Council had originally recommended allocating implementing authority to the Commission, thus limiting Parliament’s authority.

I would like to thank the members of the Committee on International Trade as well as my fellow Members for their excellent assistance, and I call upon you to vote for this agreement.

Thank you.