51999AC0942

Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the "Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) amending Regulation (EC) No 2201/96 on the common organisation of the markets in processed fruit and vegetable products"

(1999/C 368/11)

On 13 September 1999 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 37 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned proposal.

The Economic and Social Committee decided to appoint Mr Fakas as rapporteur-general for its opinion.

At its 367th plenary session of 20 and 21 October 1999 (meeting of 20 October), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 69 votes for, 2 against and 8 abstentions.

1. Introduction

The present draft regulation is a procedural formality, since the Luxembourg Agriculture Council of 14-15 June 1999 accepted Portugal's request and effectively decided to offset the loss of the Portuguese quota for the production of tomato concentrates compared to the planned apportionment of quotas for 1999/2000 and 2000/2001. This loss reflected the sharp fall in Portuguese production of industrial tomatoes in 1997/1998, caused by the unusually unfavourable weather conditions.

The conclusions of the Council of Ministers concerning the amendment of Regulation (EC) No. 2201/96 explained that a new third paragraph was proposed for Article 6, providing that an additional quantity of fresh tomatoes would be allocated to Portugal for the production of tomato concentrates in 1999/2000 and 2000/2001. The additional quantity for 1999/2000 would be 83468 tonnes. For 2000/2001, it would be equivalent to the difference between the quota for Portugal calculated in accordance with the arrangements for the previous paragraphs and the quota calculated by replacing the quantity used in 1997/1998 with 884592 tonnes. The additional quantity granted to Portugal would be added to the overall quota of fresh tomatoes, referred to in paragraph 1, and the quota for tomato concentrate referred to in the first indent of the second subparagraph of paragraph 2, for the two periods.

2. Comments

2.1. Farming is a difficult activity which is frequently affected by weather conditions. The ESC considers that unusually unfavourable weather conditions, such as those prevailing in Portugal in 1997/1998, should be prevented, as far as possible, from having a cumulative negative effect on farmers' incomes.

2.2. The ESC believes that the proposed regulation reflects the spirit and the letter of the conclusions of the Council of Agriculture Ministers of 14-15 June 1999. Notwithstanding the financial implications (EUR 3,2 million for 2000 and a provisional EUR 0,4 million for 2001), the ESC favours granting Portugal an additional quota of industrial tomatoes for 1999/2000 and 2000/2001 at the level proposed.

Brussels, 20 October 1999.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Beatrice RANGONI MACHIAVELLI