92000E0052

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0052/00

by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission

(20 January 2000)

Subject: Tobacco cultivation in the Azores and revision of the Poseima programme

The Commission, via Commission Regulation (EC) No 2848/98(1), has regulated the conditions for redeeming the tobacco quota defined in Regulation (EEC) No 2075/92(2).

The Commission's rules make no explicit reference of any kind to the circumstances of the most remote regions, including those of the Autonomous Region of the Azores.

In the Azores, there are virtually no producers of tobacco alone, as a rotation system prevails. The basic agricultural infrastructures, like those for curing, are owned and managed by local undertakings, which purchase and process Azorean tobacco.

The application of the Commission's rules on redeeming quotas can mean that a producer who occasionally reaches the quota on the rotation system is entitled to full compensation.

In addition, the continued operation of the system of redeeming quotas in the Azores is seriously jeopardising the future existence of tobacco production there.

Tobacco production is only possible if buyers exist, and buyers will only continue to purchase tobacco from farmers and retain ownership of the primary processing apparatus for tobacco leaf (e.g. for curing) if there is a certain minimum production level. Otherwise, the buyers will lose their viability, and with them will disappear the entire tobacco production sector.

In these circumstances, does the Commission not consider that the rules on tobacco should be included among the regulations which need to be adapted in the wake of the Cologne process?

(1) OJ L 358, 31.12.1998, p. 17.

(2) OJ L 215, 30.7.1992, p. 70.

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0038/00, E-0043/00, E-0044/00, E-0045/00, E-0046/00, E-0047/00, E-0048/00, E-0049/00, E-0050/00, E-0051/00 and E-0052/00 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(28 February 2000)

The Honourable Member has put a whole series of questions regarding the Poseima Programme for the Azores.

The Commission is currently drafting a report on the measures to implement Article 299(2) (ex Article 227) of the EC Treaty.

At this stage, before the Commission has adopted that report, it is not able to reply to the Honourable Member's questions concerning its content.

Lastly, the Commission's Work Programme for 2000 provides for a report to be presented to the Council and Parliament on the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1600/92 of 15 June 1992 concerning specific measures for the Azores and Madeira relating to certain agricultural products(1) (Poseima), together where appropriate with proposals for any adjustments that prove necessary to achieve the programme's goals. The set of measures relating to agriculture in the Azores will be considered in that connection.

(1) OJ L 173, 27.6.1992.