91996E2257

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2257/96 by Katerina Daskalaki (UPE) to the Commission (9 August 1996)

Subject: Problems concerning subsidies for olive oil producers

Is the Commission aware of the serious problems Greek olive oil producers will face if producer subsidies are fixed by tree (and not by kilo of product - the practice hitherto) and if the related changes set out in its new proposals aimed at restructuring the olive oil market are adopted?

Is it aware also that the yield in olives and oil depends on many factors apart from the country of production (for example, climate, soil, variety, care taken by the producer, etc.)? Are these proposals based on a scientific study or merely on auditing data? How does it view the fact that Greece has no olive oil register and what does it intend to do to remedy this situation?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (23 September 1996)

The Commission has not yet adopted a position and therefore has not yet adopted a proposal on the forthcoming reform of the common organization of the market in olive oil.

Various drafts will be considered. The Commission is also aware of the fact that olive and olive oil yields depend on various parameters, as the Honourable Member points out. However, its choice in presenting a proposal to the Council will be determined in the light of all the factors and all aspects of the question in the interests of Community growers and other socio-professional groups.

Given recent experience with the common organization of the market, especially in each of the olive-growing Member States (the biggest consumers), this proposal will seek to simplify the scheme and take greater account than before of the social and environmental dimensions of olive growing.