91999E0278

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0278/99

by Riccardo Nencini (PSE) to the Commission

(17 February 1999)

Subject: Aid for wine growers affected by severe hail storms in Massa, Carrara and Montignoso (Tuscany)

On 10 April 1998, vineyards and olive groves in the areas of Massa, Carrara and Montignoso (Tuscany) were hit by severe hail storms.

It is estimated that between 45 and 60 % of the 1998 crop has been damaged.

Wine production is crucial to the prosperity of the whole region.

The vines themselves have also suffered severe damage.

Will the Commission provide help for the abovementioned wine growers in the form of special funds, as it has done in similar cases in the past?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(1 April 1999)

The common organisation of the market in wine does not make general provision for granting aid in the event of bad weather. Nor do the regulations governing the market organisation provide for either production-based or area-based aid.

The only reference to natural disasters is in Article 78 of Council Regulation (EEC) 822/87 of 16 March 1987 on the common organisation of the market in wine(1), under which exemption may be granted from such requirements as compulsory distillation - which is not relevant in this case.

It should moreover be recalled that damage to the crop as a result of hail is normally covered by agricultural insurance.

The Community legislation currently in force provides for two ways in which, at the Member State's instigation, aid can be granted with Community financing to help wine-growers replant vineyards damaged by hail. The first is national investment aid for planting vineyards in accordance with Commission Regulation (EEC) 2741/89 of 11 September 1989 laying down criteria to apply under Article 14 of Council Regulation (EEC) 822/87 on national aid for the planting of wine-growing areas(2) (the Commission must receive prior notification of such aid). The second involves aid funded jointly by the Community under the Guidance Section of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) for areas eligible under Objectives 1 and 5(b); here, the relevant procedure laid down in the Community Support Framework must be complied with, possibly with changes to the operational programme under Council Regulation (EEC) 2052/88 of 24 June 1988 on the tasks of the Structural Funds and their effectiveness and on coordination of their activities between themselves and with the operations of the European Investment Bank and the other existing financial instruments(3). These aids may be granted under the single programming document, implemented by the Member State and the region concerned. However, the municipalities indicated by the Honourable Member are not eligible under Objective 5(b).

(1) OJ L 84, 27.3.1987.

(2) OJ L 264, 12.9.1989.

(3) OJ L 185, 15.7.1988.