92002E0430

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0430/02

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 February 2002)

Subject: Illegal practice of unions of agricultural cooperatives in Greece concerning payment of Community aid to farmers

According to complaints made by farmers and written statements by representatives of farming associations submitted to the Public Prosecutor, some unions of agricultural cooperatives in Greece illegally and coercively withhold part of the Community subsidies paid to farmers. The Commission is aware of this matter and has informed me that it is considering referring Greece to the European Court of Justice.

A new piece of information has now also come to light. Not only do some unions of agricultural cooperatives force farmers to sign supposedly voluntary declarations authorising the unions to withhold between 2 % and 5 % of their subsidies, they also, in the event of farmers refusing to sign, refuse to fill in the forms relating to stocks and destination, which are essential documents required for payment of the subsidies. According to the complaints, typical examples are the unions of agricultural cooperatives of Apokorono-Sfakia and Maleme in Crete.

Since the practice followed by some unions of agricultural cooperatives is increasingly at variance with Community legislation, what action will the Commission take in this regard?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(25 March 2002)

The situation described in the question made by the Honourable Member results from a private relationship between the agricultural cooperatives and their members. In the circumstances the Commission views are that Community law has not been contravened. For further information the Honourable Member should refer to the Commission's answers to written questions E-0128/02 from Mr Alavanos(1) and E-0238/02 from Mr Trakatellis and other(2).

(1) OJ C 172 E, 18.7.2002, p. 148.

(2) See page 99.