91997E3207

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3207/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (16 October 1997)

Subject: Investment aid for processing of organic produce

Commission Decision 94/173/EC of 22 March 1994 ((OJ L 79, 23.3.1994, p. 29. )), implementing Regulation 866/90 ((OJ L 91, 6.4.1990, p. 1, )), which lays down the selection criteria to be adopted for investments for improving the processing and marketing conditions for agricultural products, gives priority to investments relating to organic produce grown in accordance with Regulation 2092/91 ((OJ L 198, 22.7.1991, p. 1. )).

In view of the fact that the Greek Government has rejected a proposal for investment relating to the production of cider from organically grown apples - which falls under Regulation 2092/91 - on the sole grounds that funding such investment is prohibited by Decision 94/173/EC, will the Commission say whether investment in the production of cider from organically grown apples pursuant to Regulation 2092/91 satisfies the criteria laid down in Decision 94/173/EC and is eligible for aid?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (2 December 1997)

The Commission does not have enough information on the investment to which the Honourable Member refers to be able to judge whether it is eligible for Community part-financing under Regulation (EC) No 951/97 on improving the processing and marketing conditions for agricultural products ((OJ L 142, 2.6.1997. This Regulation is the recasting of Regulation (EEC) No 866/90, to which the Honourable Member refers. )). This is because it is the Member States which are responsible for selecting such investments, subject to compliance with the selection criteria laid down in Commission Decision 94/173/EC of 22 March 1994 on the selection criteria to be adopted for investments for improving the processing and marketing conditions for agricultural and forestry products and repealing Decision 90/342/EEC.

The Commission can therefore provide only a general answer on the eligibility of the investment in question, namely that priority can be granted to investments in products produced organically in accordance with Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 on organic production of agricultural products and indications referring thereto on agricultural products and foodstuffs, on condition, however, that such products are not subject to the exclusions provided for by Commission Decision 94/173/EC.