92000E1356

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1356/00

by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 May 2000)

Subject: Modification of specific aids to the dried fruit and nuts sector

The Union of Small Farmers and Stockbreeders of Málaga province (Spain) has expressed its concern that the dried fruit and nuts sector could cease to exist in the near future, as a result of the decision to change the existing system of aids and replace it by a new system proposed by the Commission which could lead to the disappearance of the sector, which provides a livelihood for 200 000 households. In Málaga province alone, elimination of the aids would affect over 15 000 producers.

The Union of Small Farmers believes that if the sector is to survive it can only be through the introduction of specific income support arrangements for dried fruit and nuts producers under the budgets provided for in the COM in fruit and vegetables. This proposal has already been put forward by the Fruit and Vegetable Producers' Platform.

Can the Commission state what action it intends to take to alleviate these farmers' anxieties arising from its proposals to alter the aid arrangements which have hitherto applied in this sector?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(13 June 2000)

The specific aid scheme for nuts of Title Ila of Regulation (EEC) No 1035/72 of the Council of 18 May 1972 on the common organisation of the market in fruit and vegetables(1) was set up in 1989 in order to improve nut productivity and competitiveness. The main element of this scheme was the improvement plan, through which a producer organisation could benefit from financial support for a maximum of 10 years.

The support scheme has not been modified. The support was always intended to be temporary and degressive, in order to shift financial responsibility onto the growers.

Additional support for the nut sector is available for nuts and locust beans, as for all other products in the fruit and vegetable sector, through the operational fund scheme of Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 of 28 October 1996 on the common organisation of the market in fruit and vegetables(2) which provides financial support for all fruit and vegetables marketed through producer organisations.

(1) OJ L 118, 20.5.1972.

(2) OJ L 297, 21.11.1996.