WRITTEN QUESTION No. 648/98 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Abolition of co-responsibility levy for olive oil
C 304/142 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 2. 10. 98 1. What is the total amount of funding raised from the subsidy over the first three years? 2. What research programmes or other activities have been carried out in previous years with monies from this research fund? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (27 March 1998) During the first three years (1995, 1996 and 1997), the Commission made payments totalling ECU 3. 26 million from the Community tobacco research and information fund. These payments were for the implementation of the first phases of what are in most cases multiannual projects (extending, in the case of research, over five years). The Commission has approved total funding of ECU 25. 88 million for research and information projects, the last of which will be completed in 2003. The programmes selected for funding from the Community tobacco research and information fund from those submitted in response to the two invitations to tender are given in the table sent directly to the Honourable Members and to the Secretariat of Parliament. (98/C 304/212) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0648/98 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (25 February 1998) Subject: Abolition of co-responsibility levy for olive oil The olive oil market in Greece is in a state of crisis. Excess production in the European Union has led to a 27% reduction of Community aid for production, and there has been a spectacular fall in market prices owing to the surpluses. Given the importance of olive oil production for Greece, will the Commission abolish the co-responsibility levy for Greece for this year, so that Greek olive oil producers are not penalized because of the approximate tripling of Spanish production? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (12 March 1998) The Commission is following closely developments on the Community market for olive oil, and has already taken measures to relieve the market in the form of private storage aid for olive oil. The Commission cannot depart from the rules laid down in Regulation No 136/66/EEC on the establishment of a common organisation of the market in oils and fats (1). This Regulation is a Council Regulation. The Commission cannot therefore abolish the effects of the stabiliser mechanism on production aid for Greece for this year. The Honourable Memberís attention is however drawn to the fact that, in the event of an overrun of the maximum guaranteed quantity, it is production aid to producers exceeding 500 kilograms of olive oil per marketing year (álarge-scaleí producers) that is cut. According to the information in the Commissionís possession, only about 25% of olive growers in Greece will be affected by this reduction. Finally, it should be noted that during the 1994/95 and 1995/96 marketing years, Spanish olive growers were subject to the stabiliser when Spain was affected by a serious drought and production fell to record lows. (1) OJ 172, 30. 9. 1966