COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2021/1787
of 5 October 2021
on the position to be adopted on behalf of the European Union within the International Grains Council as regards the amendment of the definition of ‘grain’ or ‘grains’ under the Grains Trade Convention, 1995
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 207(4), in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Whereas:
(1) The Grains Trade Convention, 1995 (‘the Convention’) was concluded by the Union by means of Council Decision 96/88/EC (1) and entered into force on 1 July 1995.
(2) Article 2(1), point (e), of the Convention defines the meaning of ‘grain’ or ‘grains’ for the purposes of the Convention. Members of the International Grains Council may decide to amend that definition in accordance with Article 32 of the Convention.
(3) On 14 May 2021, the Secretariat of the International Grains Council proposed to add pulses to the definition of ‘grain’ or ‘grains’ under point (e) of Article 2(1) of the Convention, with effect from 1 November 2021. According to that proposal, ‘
lentils, dry peas, chickpeas, dry beans, other pulses and their products shall be included in the definition of “grain” or “grains” under Article 2(1)(e) of the Grains Trade Convention, 1995
’.
(4) In accordance with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (draft) Definition and classification of commodities, 1994, ‘
Pulses are annual leguminous crops yielding from one to 12 grains or seeds of variable size, shape and colour within a pod. They are used for both food and feed.
’.
(5) It is appropriate to establish the position to be adopted on the Union’s behalf within the International Grains Council as regards the amendment of the definition of ‘grain’ or ‘grains’ under the Convention, as extending the product coverage of the International Grains Council through the addition of pulses to the definition of ‘grain’ or ‘grains’ is in the interest of the Union,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The position to be adopted on the Union’s behalf within the International Grains Council shall be to vote in favour of the amendment of Article 2(1), point (e), of the Grains Trade Convention by adding pulses to the definition of ‘grain’ or ‘grains’, in accordance with the proposal submitted by the Secretariat of the International Grains Council on 14 May 2021.
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
Done at Luxembourg, 5 October 2021.
For the Council
The President
A. ŠIRCELJ
(1) Council Decision 96/88/EC of 19 December 1995 concerning the approval by the European Community of the Grains Trade Convention and the Food Aid Convention, constituting the International Grains Agreement 1995 (
OJ L 21, 27.1.1996, p. 47
).
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