92002E1700

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1700/02

by Alexandros Baltas (PSE) to the Commission

(6 June 2002)

Subject: Implementation in Greece of the Community scheme for production aid for cotton in the 2001-2002 marketing year in accordance with Regulation 1051/2001

Some cotton producers have ignored or infringed Community regulations on cotton production, thereby compromising and jeopardising producers who comply with the regulations.

Furthermore, the reform of the Community regulatory framework governing the cotton aid scheme was completed much later than the production period and, in any case, after the fields had been prepared and the cotton seed sown.

The Commission's proposal for a regulation also differed in many substantive respects from the text finally adopted by the Council Regulation (EC) 1051/2001(1) causing confusion and problems for producers.

In view of the above, what measures will the Commission take to protect law-abiding producers from the damage they may suffer as a result of the conduct of producers who do not comply with the rules or try to commit fraud?

How will it ensure that the legitimate expectations of producers are not cruelly frustrated by the late publication of the reformed regulatory framework for the cotton aid scheme?

Will the Commission take measures either of a corrective nature (changes to those points in the regulations which are unclear) or of a transitional nature (adoption of transitional arrangements for the 2001 harvest where the late publication of the regulations caused problems for producers)?

(1) OJ L 148, 1.6.2001, p. 3.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(25 June 2002)

Under Community rules it is for Member States to decide what penalties to impose on growers who infringe regulatory provisions and to take all necessary action for their application.

The proposal for changes in the cotton aid scheme was published on 13 December 1999(1). Its provisions, notably the higher percentage reduction in the guide price if the guaranteed national quantity is exceeded and the possibility afforded to Member States of restricting the areas eligible for aid in line with environmental criteria, were therefore known many months before the normal sowing date for the 2001/2002 marketing year. Growers were therefore aware, although the exact terms of the new provisions adopted by the Council were known only in May 2001, that they had to expect changes in the aid scheme.

The Commission considers that the Community rules on cotton are sufficiently clear. It may however propose changes or make changes itself if events in the life of the aid scheme so dictate.

(1) COM(1999) 492 final.