91997E2564

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2564/97 by Gary Titley (PSE) to the Commission (15 July 1997)

Subject: EU research and support for the jojoba and euphorbia tree species

What research has the Commission undertaken into the feasibility of encouraging the growing of the jojoba and euphorbia species of tree, both as alternative crops and as natural resources capable of industrial and commercial exploitation?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (5 September 1997)

Two research projects into jojoba have been funded in the first and second research and technological development framework programmes under the specific programmes Agrides and CAMAR which investigated

the possibility of cultivating the plant as an alternative agricultural crop in Mediterranean regions. As far as euphorbia is concerned, one promising species, euphorbia lagascae, which has interesting industrial fatty acids, was investigated in two separate research projects funded in the second and third research and technological development framework programmes under the specific programmes Eclair and AIR.

The results of the above projects have demonstrated the possibility to grow these crops here in Europe, and oil from the euphorbia projects was tested by a German chemical company for potential new products. Possible research for the future in these two crops could concentrate on improving varieties for higher yields, and different fatty acid profiles.