Import tariff rules for poultrymeat, eggs, and beef
- Tariffs & quotas
Summary
The European Commission is reviewing its rules on additional import duties and representative prices for the poultrymeat and egg sectors. The changes are for consistency and simplification, to enable representative prices to be published online.
The water/protein ratio for frozen beef imported under tariff rate quotas under order numbers 09.0163 and 09.0164 is clarified as 3.2:1.
There is an opportunity to give feedback via the European Commission’s Have Your Say webpage until 19 January 2026.
EU proposes to simplify representative prices for poultrymeat and eggs, and corrects water/protein ratio for frozen beef
Draft Commission Implementing Regulation amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2834 as regards fixing representative prices in the poultrymeat and egg sectors and for egg albumin and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1988 as regards the administration of import tariff quotas in accordance with the ‘first come, first served’ principle, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1484/95 [scroll down to download]
Draft Commission Implementing Regulation amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2834 as regards fixing representative prices in the poultrymeat and egg sectors and for egg albumin [scroll down to download]
Update
The European Commission is reviewing its rules on additional import duties and representative prices for the poultrymeat and egg sectors. The changes are for consistency and simplification, to enable representative prices to be published online.
The water/protein ratio for frozen beef imported under tariff rate quotas under order numbers 09.0163 and 09.0164 is clarified as 3.2:1.
There is an opportunity to give feedback via the European Commission’s Have Your Say webpage until 19 January 2026.
Impacted Products
Beef, poultrymeat, eggs
What is changing?
For consistency and simplification, in two draft Regulations it is proposed to move the requirements on additional import duties and representative prices for poultrymeat and eggs from Regulation 1484/95 into Regulation 2023/2834 (see Import rules for rice, cereals, sugar, and hops). This is done by adding a new Chapter 4a to Regulation 2023/2834. Regulation 1484/95 is repealed.
It is also proposed to publish the updated representative prices for poultrymeat and eggs on a dedicated Taxation and Customs Union webpage instead of in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Regarding Regulation 2020/1988 (Art. 18.2), it is clarified that the water/protein ratio for the frozen beef tariff rate quota, category B (beef imported under tariff rate quotas with numbers 09.0163 and 09.0164) is 3.2:1 (not 3:2) (see Background).
Why?
The aim is to contribute to the simplification and rationalisation of EU legislation.
On the water/protein ratio for frozen beef, editorial mistakes were introduced over the years since the first regulation in 1995, and needed to be corrected.
Timeline
Adoption is planned for the first quarter of 2026.
Recommended Actions
Stakeholders can give feedback via the European Commission’s Have Your Say webpages until 19 January 2026:
- Agri-food markets – representative prices (poultry and egg products) and water/protein ratio (certain beef products)
- Poultry and eggs – simplifying the publication of representative prices.
Background
The European Union (EU) regularly reviews its rules to reduce the amount of legislation in force, eliminate overlaps, and ensure a more consistent application of EU rules across sectors.
The water/protein ratio requirement was first introduced in Regulation 1977/95 (Art. 7(b)) with the value “3 comma 2” (European decimal notation). In subsequent Regulations from 2004, the English translation used “3 point 2” (English decimal notation). Regulation 545/2007 introduced the error “3 colon 2”, while other language versions retained “3 comma 2”. From Regulation 412/2008 onwards, the erroneous notation 3:2 appeared in all language versions, including the current Regulation 2020/1988.
Resources
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2834 laying down rules for the application of Regulation 1308/2013 as regards imports in the sectors of rice, cereals, sugar and hops
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1988 laying down rules for the application of Regulations 1308/2013 and 510/2014 as regards the administration of import tariff quotas in accordance with the first come, first served principle
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1977/95 opening and providing for the administration of an import tariff quota for frozen beef intended for processing [repealed]
Sources
Draft Commission Implementing Regulation amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2834 as regards fixing representative prices in the poultrymeat and egg sectors and for egg albumin and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1988 as regards the administration of import tariff quotas in accordance with the ‘first come, first served’ principle, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1484/95 [scroll down to download]
Draft Commission Implementing Regulation amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2834 as regards fixing representative prices in the poultrymeat and egg sectors and for egg albumin [scroll down to download]
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.
EU proposes to simplify representative prices for poultrymeat and eggs, and corrects water/protein ratio for frozen beef
Draft Commission Implementing Regulation amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2834 as regards fixing representative prices in the poultrymeat and egg sectors and for egg albumin and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1988 as regards the administration of import tariff quotas in accordance with the ‘first come, first served’ principle, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1484/95 [scroll down to download]
Draft Commission Implementing Regulation amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2834 as regards fixing representative prices in the poultrymeat and egg sectors and for egg albumin [scroll down to download]
What is changing and why?
For consistency and simplification, in two draft Regulations it is proposed to incorporate the rules for the poultrymeat and egg sectors from Regulation 1484/95 into Regulation 2023/2834, which also covers rice, cereals, sugar, and hops. It is also proposed to publish the updated representative prices for poultrymeat and eggs on a dedicated Taxation and Customs Union webpage instead of in the Official Journal of the European Union.
The water/protein ratio for category B frozen beef is corrected from 3:2 to 3.2:1.
Actions
Stakeholders can give feedback via the European Commission’s Have Your Say webpages until 19 January 2026:
- Agri-food markets – representative prices (poultry and egg products) and water/protein ratio (certain beef products)
- Poultry and eggs – simplifying the publication of representative prices.
Timeline
Adoption is planned for the first quarter of 2026.
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.