Eggs

A new version of the text below is currently being prepared

Objectives

The objectives of the egg market organisation are to structure and safeguard the stability of market prices in the sector, to facilitate the marketing of products and to establish rules on trade with third countries - thereby ensuring an equitable standard of living for farmers.

Scope

• Products covered

  eggs of domestic fowl, eggs not in shell and egg yolks however preserved.

• Marketing: trade and joint trade initiatives

  Community measures in support of trade or joint trade initiatives may be taken in order to improve product quality and use, to promote better organisation of production and marketing of products, and to facilitate recording of market price trends.

• Standards

  Marketing standards related to grading by category and weight and to labelling are mandatory for eggs and egg products.

Rules on trade with third countries

• Issue of import and export licences

  Imports and exports may be subject to the issue of licences by Member States.

• Common customs tariff

  Common customs tariff duty rates are normally applied to egg sector products.

• Imports

  When imports risk threatening the Community market, additional import duties may be levied.

• Tariff quotas

  Quotas are allocated in accordance with the "first come, first served" and simultaneous examination methods. Other non-discriminatory methods may be provided for.

• Price rise

  In the event of a price rise on the Community market, the Council may take appropriate measures based on a Commission proposal and after consulting the European Parliament.

• Exports

  In order to facilitate exports, export refunds may be granted.

• Processing

  The use of inward processing arrangements may be banned.

• Safeguard measures

  Safeguard measures may be taken if the Community market risks undergoing disruption because of imports or exports.

• Trade barriers

  Taxes having equivalent effect to customs duties and the application of quantitative restrictions or measures of equivalent effect are banned in respect of trade with third countries.

Other provisions

• Animal diseases

  Exceptional market support measures may be taken in the event of animal diseases.

• State aid

  Except as otherwise provided in the Regulation, the Treaty rules on state aid apply to the egg sector.

• Communication

  The Member States and the Commission are to pass on the information needed to implement the Regulation

• Committee

  As regards implementing the Regulation, the Commission is assisted by a poultrymeat and eggs Management Committee consists of representatives from the Member States and is chaired by a member of the Commission.

Description of the albumin market

Management Committee for poultry and eggs

Legal basis:

Regulation (EEC) No 2771/75 of the Council of 29 October 1975 on the common organization of the market in eggs (Consolidated text)