92000E1757

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1757/00

by Alejandro Cercas (PSE) to the Commission

(31 May 2000)

Subject: Aid to the dried fruit and carob sector

The Commission has acknowledged that, in view of the continuing impact of imports, there is a need for aid to be provided for the dried fruit and carob sector using the instruments referred to in the Rural Development Regulation. This does not meet the needs of the dried fruit and carob sector since the Member States have already drawn up their RDPs and the latter do not have the necessary budgetary means to assure the survival of the sector. Moreover, it is a problem affecting the market and should be dealt with using market related measures which are equally applicable throughout the regions concerned so as not to lead to distortions of competition between producers.

Therefore, does the Commission not consider that there are sound reasons for maintaining the aid provided for the dried fruit and carob sector?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(11 July 2000)

The Honourable Member is referred to the Commission's answers to Written Questions E-524/00 by Mr Pittella and others(1), P-989/00 by Mr Martinez(2), E-1356/00 by Mr Hernández Mollar(3) and to the reply it gave to Oral Question H-428/00 by Mr Esteve during question time at Parliament's May 2000 part-session(4).

(1) OJ C 26 E, 26.1.2001, p. 57.

(2) OJ C 53 E, 20.2.2001, p. 50.

(3) OJ C 81 E, 13.3.2001, p. 29.

(4) Debates of the European Parliament (May 2000).