WRITTEN QUESTION E-1094/00 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Cotton-growing in Greece.
C 46 E/122 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 13. 2. 2001 Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (16 May 2000) The Commission does not agree with the Honourable Memberís assertion that the Community tuna industry is uncompetitive solely because a number of Italian firms face structural difficulties. The Honourable Member is invited to reread closely the study which the Commission asked to be drawn up on this matter and which highlights the fact that all Community firms in this sector are, or may potentially be, structurally weak. It is clear that the firms themselves are primarily responsible for taking structural measures, which constitute the only means of restoring their long-term competitiveness. For its part, the Commission is prepared to support such measures as fall within Member Statesí structural programmes for fisheries. In the meantime, short-term measures ü such as the Councilís annual opening, since 1997, of a tariff quota for tuna loins ü can go some way towards helping the Communityís canned tuna industry. In 1997, for example, Spain and Italy respectively used up 56 % and 44 % of the tuna loin quota. As already indicated in its answer to Written Questions E-756/00 to E-761/00 by Mr Varela Suanzes- Carpegna (1), the Commission is largely able to endorse the studyís content as a sound analysis of the circumstances, challenges and strategic options facing the sector as a whole. (1) OJ C 26 E, 26. 1. 2001, p. 104. (2001/C 46 E/131) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1094/00 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission (7 April 2000) Subject: Cotton-growing in Greece Under the Agricultural and Home Affairs Ministriesí Interministerial Decision No 38570/10. 2. 2000, the Greek State has designated cotton-growing as ácontrolledí cultivation and has imposed conditions on cotton producers. In practice, however, these have the effect of preventing cotton-growing for a large proportion of those concerned. Thus, for example, long-standing producers wishing to increase production above their average over the last three years may not do so, while new producers who wish to start growing may do so only if they have inherited the farming land. Could the Commission say whether it these arrangements and others contained in the above-mentioned Greek interministerial decision are consistent with Community legislation and, if not, what action it intends to take to remedy the situation? this situation, whether it considers that is aware of Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (10 May 2000) The Commission, recently informed of the situation to which the Honourable Member refers, has asked the Greek authorities for the texts covering the Decision, and thus cannot comment at this stage