92002E0057

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0057/02

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 January 2002)

Subject: Damage to agriculture due to snowfall and frost in regions of Greece

Last week Greece experienced an unprecedented spell of harsh weather bringing heavy snowfall and frost which destroyed a large proportion of agricultural production (citrus fruits, olives and fruit and vegetables) in the regions of Crete, Attica, Viotía and Evia.

Will the Commission say whether it intends to take measures through the EAGGF to support the farmers affected by this bad weather?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 February 2002)

The Commission has not yet received official information from Greece concerning the impact on agriculture of the adverse weather conditions that affected in particular Crete, Attica, Boeotie and Euboie the first week of January 2002.

Depending on the importance of these damages, Community solidarity and funding may be proved to be indispensable to overcome as soon as possible the problems rural areas confronting with and to rebuild production potential. This applies as well for the production of citrus, olive oil, fruits and vegetables that may have been more vulnerable to these weather conditions.

It is not up to the Commission to take measures for the compensation of the affected rural areas and population but up to Greece to submitted relevant requests within the context of the current programmes and mechanisms of the 3rd Community Support Framework (2000-2008) for Greece.

European Agriculture Guidance and Garantee Fund (EAGGF) contribution should be designated within the total financial allocation attributed for structural funds intervention to Greece within the programming period 2000-2006 by redefining of the programme's priorities approved by the Commission. The current National Operational Programme Rural Development (2000-2006) for Greece with a total financial allocation of 1 233,42 million also covers the issue of natural disasters and emergencies with a credit of 14 million. Should this amount not be sufficient, the Greek authorities are entitled to submit a request for a redefinition of the programming priorities and of the corresponding financial allocations.

In addition, the Greek authorities may consider the possibility to use the programming reserve of the 3rd Community Support Framework (2000-2003) for Greece.

It should be emphasised that EAGGF intervention will be limited to the reconstitution of production potential and not to the income losses which are not eligible. If aid will be necessary to compensate income losses, national aid scheme should be notified to the Commission for approval.