91999E2612

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2612/99

by Brigitte Langenhagen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 January 2000)

Subject: More stringent intervention criteria for cereals

The moisture content is to be reduced once again from 15 % to 14,5 %. For decades the limit value was 16 %. In our maritime coastal climate with permanently high air humidity, under normal weather conditions the 16 % limit is possible only on a few days in Summer in the harvesting period. A glance at the harvesting conditions in previous years shows that under these conditions cereals could only have been sold in exceptional Summers. In the last seven years it would only have been possible to market the harvested crop on three occasions without artificial drying.

What stage has the procedure reached?

What are the specific reasons prompting the Commission to tighten up the intervention criteria?

Is the Commission aware that in climatically unfavourable regions coastal areas, for example the intervention criteria can only be satisfied at considerable technical cost, and hence with significantly higher production costs?

Is the Commission aware that if the criteria are made more stringent farmers in the regions described will have to suffer permanent disadvantages and losses of income, even though their product is in no way inferior?

Is the Commission planning a regionally graduated approach or a hardship scheme to compensate for climatic disadvantages?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(7 February 2000)

The Commission's purpose in launching a debate on the minimum quality of cereals offered for intervention was to bring cereal stocks more into line with (particularly export) demand. Discussion started in October 1999 and is currently continuing.

It should be borne in mind that the moisture content limit (currently 14,5 %) is set with a view to ensuring satisfactory intervention storage over a relatively long period. Dispensations up to 15 % have been granted during the last few marketing years.

The open domestic and export markets generally require lower moisture content, so that toxins do not build up and jeopardise quality.

The market accepts higher moisture content only for immediate use, or at a discount to offset the cost of drying. There are no grounds for proceeding differently with regard to intervention, which it must be remembered is not in itself a market but just a publicly-funded intermediate stage.

Regardless of region or harvest weather conditions, producers can sell their cereals provided that they satisfy the market's quality criteria if need be by drying to reduce moisture content. Climatic risk is inherent in all forms of crop production and has to be taken into account.