WRITTEN QUESTION No. 327/98 by Dominique SOUCHET to the Commission. Community aid for cereal supplies to the most remote regions/impact on employment
C 304/78 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2. 10. 98 As the populations of Europe vary significantly in average height, does the Commission agree that the EU should seek to enforce ranges of appropriate standards, rather than single unsatisfactory ones? Would the Commission consider that the CEN should be advised to seek the cooperation of groups representing tall and short people when setting standards? Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (2 March 1998) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to his written question P-1916/97 (1). (1) OJ C 21, 22. 1. 1998. (98/C 304/114) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0327/98 by Dominique Souchet (I-EDN) to the Commission (10 February 1998) Subject: Community aid for cereal supplies to the most remote regions/impact on employment In the last two years there has been a sharp fall in Community aid for the supply of cereals to the most remote regions. This is weakening the position of the production sectors dependent on these products (flour mills, animal feed processors) and poses an additional threat to jobs inin the Community regions which are already among the most severely affected by unemployment and underemployment. Could the Commission state what measures it intends to take to reinstate this aid and thus save large numbers of jobs? Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (17 March 1998) The Commission is aware of the operational difficulties with the measures laid down by Council Regulation (EEC)No 3763/91 of 16 December 1991 introducing specific measures in respect of certain agricultural products for the benefit of the French overseas departments (1), by Council Regulation (EEC) No 1600/92 of 15 June 1992 concerning specific measures for the Azores and Madeira relating to certain agricultural products (2), and by Council Regulation (EEC) No 1601/92 of 15 June 1992 concerning specific measures for the Canary Islands with regard to certain agricultural products. (2) The effect of the reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP) and of the conclusion of the Uruguay round is that Community prices are gradually coming into line with world prices and that of aid granted to products originating in the Community supplied to the most remote regions as part of the specific measures is being reduced. The Commission is aware that the difficulties inherent in the operation of this system are prejudicial to the economies of the most remote regions. It is thus examining the method of calculation laid down by current legislation in order to find a solution which would reduce the structural disadvantages arising from the geographical remoteness of these regions and thus encourage development of the productive sectors. (1) OJ L 356, 24. 12. 1991. (2) OJ L 173, 27. 6. 1992