WRITTEN QUESTION No. 549/99 by Alexandros ALAVANOS Measures to replace the cultivation of 'Tsempelia' and 'Mavra' tobacco varieties in Greece
3. 12. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 348/97 Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1999) In the report submitted to Parliament and the Council on the common organisation of the market in raw tobacco (1), the Commission stressed the need to ensure that higher incentives were available to the quota for the best varieties than to the quota for those varieties which are difficult to market and command very low prices. The third paragraph of point B4 of that document (page 41 of the Greek version, 36 of the English version), proposes that the volume of the quota for group V (sun-cured) tobaccos should be reduced, and the corresponding quantities transferred to other groups, such as groups VI and VII, in compliance with the principle of budgetary neutrality. The Commission’s proposal to the Council for a Regulation (2) amending Council Regulation (EEC) 2075/92 of 30 June 1992 on the common organisation of the market in raw tobacco (3) and fixing the premiums and guarantee thresholds for leaf tobacco by variety group and Member State for the 1999, 2000 and 2001 harvests follows the lines of the reform by transferring quotas from group V to group VII in Italy. Moreover, this transfer concerns only a small quantity of 1500 tonnes and will therefore have a minimal impact on the tobacco sector at Community level and in Greece in particular. In view of the above, the Commission considers that its proposal is completely justifiable. (1) COM(96) 554 final. (2) OJ C 361, 24. 11. 1998. (3) OJ L 215, 30. 7. 1992. (1999/C 348/121) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0549/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (12 March 1999) Subject: Measures to replace the cultivation of ‘Tsempelia’ and ‘Mavra’ tobacco varieties in Greece The Commission has proposed measures to replace the cultivation of the ‘Tsempelia’ and ‘Mavra’ tobacco varieties, which are grown in some of the poorest and most infertile areas of Greece, where no alternative forms of cultivation are possible. If the proposal is adopted, tobacco growers in these areas will be forced to cease their activities since the soil quality, together with climatological and other conditions make it impossible to cultivate other varieties. The Commission’s assertion that the ‘Tsempelia’ and ‘Mavra’ varieties are not marketable does not hold water since almost the entire crop is sold to eastern European countries. Will the Commission withdraw its proposal to end the cultivation of the ‘Tsempelia’ and ‘Mavra’ tobacco varieties in Greece, given that such a move would cause severe hardship to tobacco producers? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1999) The Commission’s proposal for transfers from certain groups of varieties which are hard to market to other varieties which are easier to market, and for which producers will get higher prices, was based on information available at that time, which also appeared in the report (1) submitted to Parliament and the Council. Moreover, as the Honourable Member indicates, a large quantity of group V tobacco is exported to Eastern European countries. However, although the production of these varieties is again on the increase, there are no sure outlets in the long term. After consultating the Greek authorities, the Commission has agreed to propose a moderate transfer of Mavra and Tsebelia until 2001 (i. e. to keep 11 000 tonnes of production) and to review the situation after that date. (1) COM(96) 554 final