91999E2483

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2483/99

by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: Illegal imports of tomatoes from Morocco

By virtue of the agreements between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco, Moroccan tomato producers can gain access to the European market at a tariff of EUR 500 per

tonne for a maximum quota of 150 676 tonnes. Reports from various quarters had suggested that Morocco had been breaking the said agreements, employing various means to exceed the quota allocated to it by varying degrees. Highly reliable official sources have since confirmed this. According to Eurostat, tomato imports from Morocco over the period 1998-1999 in fact amounted to 181 542 tonnes, more than 30 000 tonnes in excess of the negotiated quota.

Confirmation of this was provided by the Director-General for Agriculture himself, Mr Guy Legras, during the partnership day with the outermost regions organised by the Commission under the patronage of its President, Mr Prodi. Mr Legras stated further that the Commission lacked the human resources needed to conduct the inspection work that would ensure that the quantity of tomatoes entering the Community market from Morocco did not exceed the set quota.

Bearing in mind that this situation has placed European tomato producers B and above all those in the south, where production calendars coincide with those of Morocco B at a severe disadvantage, what measures has the Commission taken to compel Morocco to comply with its undertakings vis-à-vis the import quota? On what date does it intend to start charging the tariff applicable once the authorised quota ceiling has been exceeded?

Does the Commission envisage introducing any other measures to enable it to conduct the inspection duties assigned to it with regard to tomatoes more effectively than has hitherto been the case?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2344/99, E-2345/99, E-2346/99, E-2347/99, E-2348/99 and P-2483/99 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(20 January 2000)

The Commission is closely monitoring developments in fresh tomato imports from Morocco.

Having noted that the quantities agreed on for the 1998/1999 marketing year were being exceeded, the Commission drew the Moroccan authorities' attention to the importance of respecting those quantities if the Community market was to remain in equilibrium.

During the current marketing year, developments in imports in October 1999 prompted the Commission to request urgent talks with the Moroccan authorities. Those talks were held in Rabat on 22 December 1999 but did not lead to a solution guaranteeing that the granted quota would not be exceeded. Accordingly, and without prejudice to future talks, the Commission, by Regulation (EC) No 2767/1999, introduced an import licence system, in accordance with the exchange of letters between the Community and the Kingdom of Morocco on 22 December 1994.

The Commission would remind the Member States that they are responsible for the correct application of the rules in force concerning imports, including the setting of customs duties due.