91996E2986

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2986/96 by Juan Colino Salamanca (PSE) and Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE) to the Commission (8 November 1996)

Subject: Impact on social and economic cohesion of the new COM in olive oil

The Commission is studying a new proposal concerning the COM in olive oil. Has it assessed the possible impact of such a proposal on the regions concerned and on social and economic cohesion?

What impact might it have on employment?

Has the Commission also assessed the environmental impact thereof?

Could the authors of this question be provided with the studies which have been carried out into the social and environmental impact of such a measure?

What would the implications be for the rural development of large parts of the southern European Union, particularly Andalusia?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (2 December 1996)

The Commission will be discussing the different options for the reform of the olive oil common market organisation in the very near future. A document will be transmitted to the Parliament and the Council for discussion before any concrete proposals are finalised.

The Commission cannot pre-empt the outcome of its deliberations by anwering specific questions on the options but will certainly take into account what the Honourable Members say. Of course, the Commission is well aware of the strategic importance of Andalucian production in the Community market and the importance of olive oil to the region. The Commission will be examining how best to cater for specific regional situations.

In a more general way, it must be clear that the new olive oil common market organisation should be simple, more transparent and easier to control than the existing regime. Quality should be at a premium and producers should be targeted as directly as possible. Differences of a regional, social and environmental kind should be taken into account.