91998E2386

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2386/98

by Paul Rübig (PPE) to the Commission

(17 July 1998)

Subject: Production aid for sugar-free peaches and Williams and Rocha pears

In Regulation (EC) 504/97(1) of 19 March 1997 the Commission redefined the implementing provisions for the system of production aid for products processed from fruit and vegetables. For the 1997/98 marketing year provision was made for aid to be granted for peaches and Williams and Rocha pears (in syrup and/or natural fruit juice) in the amount of ECU 8 128/100 kg net and ECU 15 532/100 kg net respectively, provided that a given minimum price set by the Commission was paid at the time the raw material was purchased in the EU. This system is primarily intended to ensure that products processed from Community primary products are marketed at competitive prices.

Since Austria's accession to the EU attempts have been made to extend this system to include sugar-free products (stewed peaches and Williams and Rocha pears) so that the cost advantage due to the aid may also be passed on to consumers of sugar-free and low-sugar products. Such products might thus enjoy the same advantages as fruit in sugar syrup and/or natural fruit juice.

When will the Commission include sugar-free products of Williams and Rocha pears and of peaches in the product aid system and so create the conditions for account to be taken of future nutritional awareness of sugar-free and low-sugar products through competitive prices?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(14 September 1998)

In view of the particular importance of these products for certain regions of the Community, the Council included provision for aid for the production of Williams and Rocha pears and peaches (in syrup and/or natural fruit juice) in its Regulation (EC) 2201/96 on the common organisation of the markets in the processed fruit and vegetable products(2).

In its implementing regulation(3), the Commission defined "fruit juice" so that the natural sugar content of the fruit was maintained, in line with the products covered by the Council Regulation.

The aid scheme does not cover therefore all processed products containing peaches and pears and, in particular, it does not apply to sugar-free or low-sugar products. It rather aims to support producers of peaches and pears in the Community who thus benefit from prices higher than those paid in non-member countries for competing products.

Moreover, the Council laid down guarantee thresholds for this aid scheme in order to avoid increased production in view of the large availability of raw materials and the elasticity of processing capacity.

It appears therefore that the extension of Community support to new products would run counter to the aims of the Council in instituting this aid scheme and the Commission does not intend to submit such a proposal.

(1) OJ L 78, 20.3.1997, p. 14.

(2) OJ L 297, 21.11.1996.

(3) Regulation (EC) 504/97 of 19 March 1997 (OJ L 78, 20.3.1997).