The National Federation of Bovine states that the quantities of meat imported from Canada to the EU under Ceta could be revised by a joint committee, without France being able to oppose it. The European Commission denies.

French cattle farmers say that the quantities of meat imported from Canada to the EU under the controversial EU-Canada Free Trade Agreement (CETA) could very well be revised without France having any say, arguments refuted by the European Commission.

"On the issue of volumes imported (...) France could have no control," says the National Federation of Bovine (FNB) in a statement, a few hours before the vote of the French Assembly Tuesday.

What role for the Ceta Joint Committee?

In the eyes of the FNB: the Ceta Joint Committee, "composed of representatives of both parties and co-chaired by the Minister of International Trade of Canada and the European Commissioner for Trade". The European Commission and Canada may, through this Joint Committee, "decide to increase the volumes of the quotas negotiated, including that of beef, without consulting the Member States via their national Parliament and without any limitation of volume".

The FNB denounces the "real blank check" that the government asks "the deputies to sign, agreeing to ratify this treaty".

No "intention to revise tariff quotas"

Arguments refuted by sources from the European Commission. "There is no demand, no discussion, no intention to review the tariff quotas" of Ceta, sources told the Commission Tuesday.

"In any case, a modification of the market access provisions, such as the modification of a quota for a given product, can only be achieved in compliance with the applicable EU internal procedures, which necessarily imply the authorization of the Member States ", say these sources.