Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the 'Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) amending Regulation (EC) No 2201/96 on the common organization of the markets in processed fruit and vegetable products` (98/C 19/33)

On 15 September 1997 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Articles 43 and 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned proposal.

The Economic and Social Committee decided to appoint Mr Sabin as rapporteur-general.

At its 349th plenary session of 29 and 30 October 1997 (meeting of 29 October) the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 82 votes in favour and 2 abstentions.

1. The Committee notes that the proposed amendment to the common organization of the markets in processed fruit and vegetables, last reformed in 1966, solely concerns the internal breakdown of the French quota for tomatoes intended for processing. It has no impact on the quotas of other Member States.

1.1. The 1996 reform of the COM reduced the total French quota by 24 000 metric tonnes. This reduction affected both the quota for tomato concentrate and the quota for 'other products`.

1.2. Similarly, the 1996 reform prevented transfer of tonnages between the various product groups, if the ceiling for one of these groups was exceeded.

1.3. The French quota for tomatoes intended for 'other products` thus did not reflect the realities of national production, since there was a difference of approximately 15 000 tonnes between actual production and the quota.

1.4. The Agriculture Council of June 1997 asked the Commission to propose a change, for the 1997/1998 and 1998/1999 marketing years, of the breakdown of the French quota between product groups, 'so as to reduce the peeled tomato group by 15 000 tonnes and increase the "other products" group by the same amount`.

2. The Commission's proposal implements the Council decision of June 1997. The proposed quota is more appropriate to the actual production of the French tomato processing sector. It does not increase the aggregate French total. Furthermore, an increase of 15 000 tonnes in the French 'other products` quota will not have an adverse impact on the other producer Member States, since France only produces 35-40 % of its processed-tomato requirements. Present figures indicate that Community quotas for the 1997 marketing year will not be fully taken up. Finally, the proposal will not cost anything and will even generate a slight saving, since peeled tomatoes received a higher premium than those to be used for 'other products`.

2.1. The Committee therefore endorses the proposal made by the Commission.

Brussels, 29 October 1997.

The President of the Economic and Social Committee

Tom JENKINS