Considerations on COM(2024)113 - EU position in the International Grains Council concerning the accession of Senegal to the Grains Trade Convention, 1995

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dossier COM(2024)113 - EU position in the International Grains Council concerning the accession of Senegal to the Grains Trade Convention, 1995.
document COM(2024)113 EN
date April 22, 2024
 
(1)The Grains Trade Convention, 1995 (‘the Convention’) was concluded by the Union by means of Council Decision 96/88/EC 4 and entered into force on 1 July 1995. The Convention was initially concluded for a period of three years.

(2)Pursuant to Article 33 of the Convention, the International Grains Council may 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 5  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, Senegal formally applied for accession to the Convention. If the accession application is approved, 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 approval of Senegal’s application to accede to the Convention and consequently to participate in the International Grains Council be granted, Senegal will be an importing member in accordance with Article 12 of the Convention. As the Union is an exporting member, the accession 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 Senegal could however reduce, as from fiscal year 2024/25, 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 in the International Grains Council and to approve the accession of Senegal to the Convention.