WRITTEN QUESTION P-3026/00

by Francesco Musotto (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(20 September 2000)

Subject: Situation of olive oil producers in Sicily

Article 7(b) of Regulation No 2366/98(1) provides, with regard to the arrangements for the inspection of oil mills, that from the 2000/2001 marketing year the facilities must include an automatic system for weighing olives and recording weights and an electricity meter specifically for the pressing equipment.

Sicilian agriculture, and in particular regional olive-growing, is undergoing a serious crisis as a result of internal factors such as structural organisation and problems of altitude, and of external factors such as the constant increase in production costs, which are no longer subject to control and assessment by the various agricultural market organisations.

The implementation of that provision as required would penalise small-scale regional mills (which characteristically work on a seasonal basis), chiefly because the expenditure on the purchase of the above-mentioned equipment might not be recuperated in the selling prices laid down for the 2000/2001 marketing year.

Implementation of that provision is likely further to marginalise or even eliminate small regional oil mills. This runs contrary to the Community programme the intention of which is allegedly to promote the typical Sicilian extra virgin oils produced precisely by these small oil mills.

In view of these facts, can the Commission provide for a derogation from the application of the provision referred to above by extending by one year the period within which the requirements laid down therein must be implemented?

(1) OJ L 293, 31.10.1998, p. 50.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(19 October 2000)

The Commission would draw the Honourable Member's attention to the reasons for its introduction of automatic weighing systems as a control tool in mills.

In 1998 both the Council and Parliament clearly intimated that the transitional period of three years (1998/1999 to 2000/2001) for olive oil needed to see progress in transparency and control in the sector.

It was evident therefore that greater discipline should be imposed in enabling growers to benefit from what is due to them and continue being supported in the future.

The measures introduced by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2366/98 of 30 October 1998 laying down detailed rules for application of the system of production aid for olive oil for the 1998/1999 to 2000/2001 marketing years, notably on weighing of the olives, are undoubtedly the minimum needed to guarantee the transparency that the whole olive oil production industry demands.

Moreover, the Court of Auditors in its Special Report No 11/2000(1) stressed the need to improve controls in the sector. Analysis of the first results achieved and the experience gained through implementation of Regulation (EC) No 2366/98 show that these measures must continue. Given the situation the Commission cannot grant a one-year extension of the time limit for compliance with point (b) in Article 7 of Regulation (EC) 2366/98 but must insist that it be strictly respected.

(1) OJ C 215, 23.7.2000.