91996E1478

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1478/96 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE) to the Commission (12 June 1996)

Subject: Recognition of olive growers' organization in Crete

In 1993, 1182 olive growers at Chania in Crete set up a cooperative, 'Elaioparagogiki A.E.', for the production and marketing of olives and olive oil. The organization was originally set up by 707 olive growers, who had previously been members of other cooperatives, operating as groups of producers in accordance with Regulation 136/66/EEC ((OJ 172, 30.9.1966, p. 3025. )).

These producers notified their organizations of their intention to leave, either in person or through their legal representatives, so that they would be free to work for their new organization, 'Elaioparagogiki A.E.', from the following year. At the same time, a further 308 olive growers became members of 'Elaioparagogiki A.E.', having supplied all the documentation required under Regulations 136/66/EEC and 1360/78/EEC ((OJ L 166, 23.6.1978, p. 1. )). The organization currently has more than a thousand members producing thousands of tonnes of olive oil every year.

However, although 'Elaioparagogiki A.E.' fulfils all the conditions required by the above-mentioned Regulations, the Greek administration, specifically the prefecture of Chania by its decisions Nos. 771 and 772 of 27 January 1994 and Nos. 2612 and 2613 of 23 March 1994, refuses to recognize it as a producers' organization.

In the light of the above, will the Commission say how this problem might be resolved and whether it could assist in this respect?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (8 July 1996)

Recognition of producers' organizations under Regulations No 136/66/EEC and/or (EEC) No 1360/78 falls within the competence of the Member States and, consequently, is carried out by the national authorities on the basis of the specific criteria set by the regulations referred to above.

Recognition as a producer group pursuant to Regulation (EEC) No 1360/78, and in accordance with the conditions laid down in the implementing Regulation (EEC) No 220/91 ((OJ L 26, 31.1.1991. )), enables the group to qualify for start-up aid for the first five years of activity.

Recognition as an organization of producers under Regulation No 136/66/EEC leads to the granting of aid to the organization to control and administer producer subsidies granted by the Community to the members of the organization.

The refusal to recognize the organization in question by the Greek authorities, by means of the decisions quoted by the Honourable Member, was investigated by Commission in the past. On the basis of the information available at that time, the refusal was deemed to be warranted.

The Commission will approach the Greek authorities to see whether any new elements have emerged.