WRITTEN QUESTION P-0282/00 by Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN) to the Commission. Crisis in the olive oil market: proposal to set up a Community olive oil databank.
21. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 330 E/115 However, at its fourth seminar on regional information at the service of regional policy in Europe, which was held in Rennes in January 1998, Eurostatís advisory committee on social and economic matters concluded that the validity of figures for GDP and for regional disparities depends on whether euros or PPPs are used, especially in view of the fact that national PPP rates are employed despite the major differences which exist between regions within the same Member State. As regards the use of PPPs for the purposes of Community rules, does the Commission not consider the opinion of Eurostatís advisory committee to be more important than the fact that the PPP indicator is used by other international institutions for completely different purposes and with completely different results? (1) OJ C 219 E, 1. 8. 2000, p. 124. Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission (28 March 2000) Following its fourth seminar on Regional information serving regional policy in Europeí, held at Rennes in January 1998, the European Advisory Committee on Statistical Information in the Economic and Social Spheres (CEIES) drew the following conclusion: The significance of GDP and regional disparities depend to some extent on whether measurements are in ecus or PPS, especially since national PPS rates are used despite major differences between regions within a given Member Stateí. Article 3 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds (1) stipulates that The regions covered by Objective 1 shall be regions corresponding to level II of the Nomenclature of Territorial Statistical Units (NUTS level II) whose per capita GDP, measured in purchasing power parities and calculated on the basis of Community figures for the last three years available on 26 March 1999, is less than 75 % of the Community averageí. A presentation given during the seminar concluded that: It seems that the criterion proposed for the designation of Objective 1 regions in Agenda 2000 ü NUTS II GDP per head in PPS ü is mostly justified by convenience. GDP is used because it is published and available. PPS are used because, historically, they were more stable than exchange rates An important question is whether other single criteria are more convincing. In practice, this seems unlikelyí. The Commission does not currently calculate regional purchasing power parities, but is studying the feasibility of doing so. (1) OJ L 161, 26. 6. 1999. (2000/C 330 E/129) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0282/00 by Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN) to the Commission (3 February 2000) Subject: Crisis in the olive oil market: proposal to set up a Community olive oil databank In response to the serious crisis in the olive oil market (a crisis which is due to continue during the 1999/2000 marketing year), Italy has carried out investigations at the frontiers across which large amounts of oil from EU and non-EU countries are imported. Most oil for human consumption which is imported into Italy comes from outside the Community ü sometimes by means of triangular arrangements involving Spanish and Greek operators which are not always transparent. C 330 E/116 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 21. 11. 2000 In North African countries the cost of producing oil of various types is extremely low. The checks carried out in Italy on imported oils have been inadequate. One of the things they have revealed are analytical values which, strangely, are always a little lower than those laid down in Annex 1 to Regulation (EEC) No 2568/91 (1). It is, therefore, reasonable to suggest that most of the oils imported into Italy are not pure but could be the result of mixing oils from North Africa with oils produced in Spain and Greece, so as to ensure that the analytical parameters laid down by law are met. It is therefore impossible at present to establish with analytical certainty the precise geographical origin of oils imported into and marketed in Italy. Such problems have caused (and will continue to cause) serious disruption to the market. Having regard to Council Regulation No 136/66/EEC (2) of 22 September 1966, as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 1638/98 (3) and in particular Article 35a thereof. Having regard to Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2815/98 (4) of 22 December 1998 on olive oil marketing rules. It has been scientifically proved (in the same way as occurred some time ago in the case of the wine- growing sector) the chemical and analytical characteristics of olive oil vary according to the geographical area in which it is produced. that The only accurate way of determining the precise geographical origin of an oil is to set up a Community databank similar to the one which was set up in the wine-growing sector by means of Regulation (EEC) No 2348/91 (5). In view of the above facts, what decisions are to be taken as regards the setting up of a Community olive oil databank as a sole analytical instrument capable of tackling the serious problem described above? (1) OJ L 248, 5. 9. 1991, p. 1. (2) OJ 172, 30. 9. 1966, p. 3025. (3) OJ L 210, 28. 7. 1998, p. 32. (4) OJ L 349, 24. 12. 1998, p. 56. (5) OJ L 214, 2. 8. 1991, p. 39. Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (22 February 2000) There is in fact no crisis on the olive oil market, particularly in Italy, where the 1999/2000 crop is particularly heavy and end-January 2000 prices are more than 130 % of the triggering threshold for private storage. For the Community as a whole, sales forecasts for the crop indicate a fall in stocks in 1999/2000 and thus sustained demand. The sharp fall in prices in December 1999 appears to correspond to disposal of stocks accumulated speculatively but was followed at the beginning of January by a sharp rise in the market from which oil from the new crop has benefited. The less than 50 000 tonnes of olive oil imported annually is too little to disturb a Community market based on estimated 1999/2000 production of 1 600 000 tonnes. Mixtures of olive oil and seed oil, Community or not, fraudulently sold as olive oil are detected by the analytical methods given in Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2568/91 of 11 July 1991 on the characteristics of olive oil and olive-residue oil and on the relevant methods of analysis. Research to improve these methods is in progress. 21. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 330 E/117 Blends of olive oil of various origins are not prohibited and are even indispensable where the oils of certain regions are concerned if consumers are to have the qualities of oil they want to buy. This is an important difference from the wine sector. Research continues at Community level on a databank for olive oil as mentioned by the Honourable Member and the Commission is closely monitoring progress. But the geographical characteristics of olive oils emerge as statistical averages and absolute proof of origin for a particular lot is rarely possible. The situation is much more complex again in the case of the inevitable blends of olive oils from different varieties, soil types or geographical origins. The Commission therefore considers that at the moment a Community olive oil databank for fraud- fighting purposes is not a priority. (2000/C 330 E/130) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0287/00 by Bartho Pronk (PPE-DE) to the Commission (11 February 2000) Subject: EU number plates in Switzerland In point 3 of his reply to my question E-4110/98 (1) Commissioner Kinnock states that the Commission has asked the Swiss authorities to recognise the distinguishing sign. Member States will be informed as soon as the Commission gets a reply from the Swiss authoritiesí. In the meantime I have learned through informal channels that about a year ago the Swiss authorities sent a letter to their police and customs services explaining that cars with EU number plates no longer require a separate country sticker. 1. 2. Is the Commission aware of this letter, and does this constitute the recognition referred to in point 3? Have the Member States been informed of this recognition? (1) OJ C 325, 12. 11. 1999, p. 56. Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission (17 March 2000) In their letter of 11 February 1999 the Swiss authorities informed the Commission that they were 1. prepared to recognise the distinctive nationality marks issued by the state of registration of motor vehicles and their trailers in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 2411/98 of 3 November 1998 on the recognition in intra-Community traffic of the distinguishing sign of the Member State in which motor vehicles and their trailers are registered (1). The Member States were informed of that recognition by means of a letter to the offices of their 2. permanent representatives dated 9 March 1999. (1) OJ L 299, 10. 11. 1998. (2000/C 330 E/131) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0290/00 by Jan Wiersma (PSE) to the Council (14 February 2000) Subject: Phare programme for Croatia In view of the positive outcome of the elections in Croatia on 3 January 2000, will the Council reconsider the suspension of the Phare programme for Croatia?