WRITTEN QUESTION E-1554/99 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission. Crisis in the pig farming sector.
C 219 E/8 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 1. 8. 2000 Having confirmed the lack of notification at least of the abovementioned Decree of 30 June 1998, which represents a breach by France of Article 20 of the Regulation, the Commission will consider as soon as possible what action to take on this matter. (1) OJ L 61, 3. 3. 1997. (2) OJ L 325, 27. 11. 1997, p. 1. (2000/C 219 E/011) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1554/99 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission (1 September 1999) Subject: Crisis in the pig farming sector Can the Commission confirm whether overproduction in the above sector is at around 20 %? If so, does it believe that this is the main reason for the crisis proclaimed by the pig farming associations, or does it consider that there are other reasons? If so, what are they? Could the Commission limit overproduction by introducing Community ceilings? Does it not believe that a level playing field could be achieved for all if uniform environmental and health legislation were adopted throughout the EU? Why does the Commission not match each importation of zero duty pigs from non-member states with an exportation of equal quantities of processed pigmeat to markets outside the Community? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (11 October 1999) Production of pigmeat in the Community has increased during recent years. Total production in 1997 was 16,25 million tonnes and in 1998 production increased by 8 % to 17,56 million tonnes. During 1999 production is still expected to increase by around 2 %, the increase being mainly in the first half of the year. In the second half of 1999 and through the first half of 2000 production is forecasted to decline. The exports of pigmeat to third countries, which were aided by export refunds, amounted to 743 000 tonnes in the General agreement on tariffs and trade (GATT) year 4 (1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999), which represents 4 % of the total production and which could be regarded as oversupply. Oversupply of pigs was definitely one of the major reasons for very low producer prices in the second half of 1998 and in the first half of 1999. Pig markets have a cyclical nature with high production and, consequently, low price periods recurring every three to five years. However, there were also other reasons. Economic crises in main importing countries and increased competition from other exporting countries added difficulties for the European pig industry. The Commission has discussed with Member States possible measures to limit production on several occasions, but these measures have received little support from the majority of Member States. In these meetings the Commission has also stressed that Member States should fully implement Community and national legislation on environmental issues, which should help preventive excessive production peaks. The quotas for zero duty imports for GATT year 1998-1999 were 7 000 tonnes. However, only 2 500 tonnes were imported. For the same GATT year the Community had a ceiling for subsidised pigmeat exports of 483 000 tonnes, which was fully used. Therefore, the Community exports were many times the zero duty imports