Global Trade Alert

On 19 May 2015, the European Commission issued regulation 756/2015 on trade restrictions on cattle, beef, watermelons and prepared tomatoes with Turkey. This regulation states "Turkey has since 1996 been applying a ban on the import of live animalsof the bovine species (CN code 0102) and restrictions on the import ofbeef (CN codes 0201-0202). Those measures, being quantitativerestrictions, are incompatible with the Agreement and prevent the Unionfrom benefiting from the concessions granted to it under Decision No1/98. Despite talks intended to achieve a negotiated solution withTurkey to the problem, the quantitative restrictions are still in place."
The European Commission has decided to scrap a tariff rate quota on watermelons and prepared tomatoes exported from Turkey. Previously, a quota of 14'000 tonnes of watermelons with 0% import duties and a quota of 30'000 tonnes of prepared tomatoes with 0% import duties was in place.
 
The regulation came into force on 8 June 2015.