COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2024/1259

of 22 April 2024

on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the International Grains Council concerning the accession of the Republic of Senegal to 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 Article 207(4), first subparagraph, 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. The Convention was concluded for a period of three years.

(2) Pursuant to Article 33 of the Convention, the International Grains Council is able to extend the Convention for successive periods not exceeding two years on each occasion. Since its conclusion, the Convention has regularly been extended for further periods of two years. The Convention was last extended by decision of the International Grains Council on 14 June 2023 (2) and remains in force until 30 June 2025.

(3) Pursuant to Article 27(2) of the Convention, it is open for accession by the Governments of all States upon such conditions as the International Grains Council considers appropriate.

(4) On 22 December 2023, the Republic of Senegal formally applied for accession to the Convention. If the accession application is approved the Republic of Senegal will become a member on 1 May 2024.

(5) Senegal is an important producer of rice and coarse grains. However, it is not self-sufficient and cannot fully cover domestic consumption and therefore has to import additional quantities of different cereals.

(6) Should the approval of the application of the Republic of Senegal to accede to the Convention and consequently to participate in the International Grains Council be granted, the Republic of Senegal will be an importing member in accordance with Article 12 of the Convention. As the Union is an exporting member, the accession of the Republic of Senegal will not impact the number of votes allocated to the Union for voting purposes under Article 12 of the Convention. The accession of the Republic of Senegal could however reduce, as from fiscal year 2024-2025, the number of votes allocated to the Union under Article 11 of the Convention, which is used to determine the financial contribution of members.

(7) It is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union’s behalf within the International Grains Council and to approve the accession of the Republic of Senegal to the Convention,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The position to be taken on the Union’s behalf within the International Grains Council shall be to approve the accession of the Republic of Senegal to the Grains Trade Convention, 1995.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

Done at Luxembourg, 22 April 2024.

For the Council

The President

J. BORRELL FONTELLES

(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

(2) Council Decision (EU) 2023/991 of 15 May 2023 on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the International Grains Council with regard to the extension of the Grains Trade Convention, 1995 (

OJ L 135, 23.5.2023, p. 114

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/1259/oj

ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)