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AGREEMENT

in the form of an Exchange of letters amending the Agreement of 14 July 1986 adjusting the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Kingdom of Norway concerning mutual trade in cheese

A. Letter from the Community

Brussels,

Sir,

I have the honour to refer to the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters of 14 July 1986 adjusting the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Kingdom of Norway concerning mutual trade in cheese consequent upon the accession of the Kingdom of Spain and the Portuguese Republic to the Community, and to the consultations held on this matter between the delegations of Norway and of the Commission of the European Communities.

1. I confirm that the Community agrees that, from 1 April 1987 and for the duration of the transitional period laid down by the Act of Accession of Spain to the Communities, the breakdown of the annual quantities of cheese imported into Spain from Norway be amended as follows:

Cheese originating in and coming from Norway, accompanied by an approved certificate:

1.2.3 // // Quantity (tonnes) // Import duty (ECU/100 kg) // - Jarlsberg, of a minimum fat content of 45 % by weight, in the dry matter, and of a dry matter content, by weight, of not less than 56 %, matured for at least three months, falling within subheading 04.04 E I b) 2 of the Common Customs Tariff: // // // - whole cheeses, with rind (1), weighing from 8 to 12 kg // // // - rectangular blocks weighing 7 kg or less (2) // // // - pieces packed in vacuum or inert gas, of a net weight of not less than 150 g but not more than 1 kg (2) // 82 // 55 // - Ridder, of a minimum fat content of 60 % by weight, in the dry matter, matured for at least four weeks, falling within subheading 04.04 E I b) 2 of the Common Customs Tariff: // // // - whole cheeses, with rind (1), weighing from 1 to 2 kg // // // - in pieces packed in vacuum or inert gas, with rind on at least one side (1), of a net weight of not less than 150 kg (2) // // // - Processed cheese, not grated or powdered, falling with subheading 04.04 D of the Common Customs Tariff // 8 // 36,27

2. At the end of the transitional period the quantities indicated above will be added to the annual tariff quota laid down in the Agreement between the Community and the Kingdom of Norway concerning mutual trade in cheese.

I should be obliged if you would confirm that your Government is in agreement with the contents of this letter.

Please accept, Sir, the assuance of my highest consideration.

On behalf of

the Council of the European Communities

(1) Whole cheeses are considered to be standard whole cheeses with rind. For the purpose of these provisions 'rind' is defined as follows: the rind of such cheeses is the outer layer formed from the cheese itself having a distinctly more solid consistency and a distinctly darker colour.

(2) The indications on the packaging must be such as to enable the consumer to identify the cheese.

B. Letter from Norway

Brussels,

Sir,

I acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date which reads as follows:

'I have the honour to refer to the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters of 14 July 1986 adjusting the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Kingdom of Norway concerning mutual trade in cheese consequent upon the accession of the Kingdom of Spain and the Portuguese Republic to the Community, and to the consultations held on this matter between the delegations of Norway and of the Commission of the European Communities.

1. I confirm that the Community agrees that, from 1 April 1987 and for the duration of the transitional period laid down by the Act of Accession of Spain to the Communities, the breakdown of the annual quantities of cheese imported into Spain from Norway be amended as follows:

Cheese originating in and coming from Norway, accompanied by an approved certificate:

1.2.3 // // Quantity (tonnes) // Import duty (ECU/100 kg) // - Jarlsberg, of a minimum fat content of 45 % by weight, in the dry matter, and of a dry matter content, by weight, of not less than 56 %, matured for at least three months, falling within subheading 04.04 E I b) 2 of the Common Customs Tariff: // // // - whole cheeses, with rind (1), weighing from 8 to 12 kg // // // - rectangular blocks weighing 7 kg or less (2) // // // - pieces packed in vacuum or inert gas, of a net weight of not less than 150 g but not more than 1 kg (2) // 82 // 55 // - Ridder, of a minimum fat content of 60 % by weight, in the dry matter, matured for at least four weeks, falling within subheading 04.04 E I b) 2 of the Common Customs Tariff: // // // - whole cheeses, with rind (1), weighing from 1 to 2 kg // // // - in pieces packed in vacuum or inert gas, with rind on at least one side (1), of a net weight of not less than 150 kg (2) // // // - Processed cheese, not grated or powdered, falling with subheading 04.04 D of the Common Customs Tariff // 8 // 36,27

2. At the end of the transitional period the quantities indicated above will be added to the annual tariff quota laid down in the Agreement between the Community and the Kingdom of Norway concerning mutual trade in cheese.

I should be obliged if you would confirm that your Government is in agreement with the contents of this letter.'

I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the contents of your letter.

Please accept, Sir, the assuance of my highest consideration.

For the Government

of the Kingdom of Norway

(1) Whole cheeses are considered to be standard whole cheeses with rind. For the purpose of these provisions 'rind' is defined as follows: the rind of such cheeses is the outer layer formed from the cheese itself having a distinctly more solid consistency and a distinctly darker colour.

(2) The indications on the packaging must be such as to enable the consumer to identify the cheese.