WRITTEN QUESTION E-0248/00 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Impact on Greek agricultural produce of the trade agreement between the EU and South Africa.
28. 12. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 374 E/45 On the other hand, so that production quotas can be fully utilised, where deliveries are made under cultivation contracts concluded with producer groups, if a producer memberís harvest falls below the maximum quantity to be delivered, quantities from another producer member of the same group whose production exceeds his individual quota can be included in the deliveries entitled to premiums provided that the quantity entered on the quota statement of the producer group in question is not exceeded and that Regulation (EC) No 2848/98, in particular Articles 11, 22 and 24 thereof, is complied with. (1) OJ L 358, 31. 12. 1998. (2000/C 374 E/052) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0248/00 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (7 February 2000) Subject: Impact on Greek agricultural produce of the trade agreement between the EU and South Africa The trade cooperation agreement concluded between the European Union and South Africa has caused considerable concern, notably in Italy and Greece, about the possible consequences for fresh and processed fruit and vegetables in the southern countries of the Union. As regards Greece in particular, the products affected are tinned peaches and apricots, fruit salads and fruit juices and Greek Valencia oranges, whose marketing period coincides in part with that of South African produce. In signing the EU-South Africa agreement did the Commission consider the consequences for fresh and processed Greek and Italian produce? Does it intend to provide for measures (derogations, restrictions on tariff concessions, etc. ) in order to avoid any adverse consequences due to the implementation of this agreement? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (20 March 2000) In setting out the negotiating mandate of the Commission prior to commencement of negotiations towards the Community/South Africa Agreement on trade, development and co-operation, the Council was very much aware of the sensitivity of the fruit and vegetables sector. Accordingly, in general the Council excluded the most sensitive products in the sector from liberalisation and only accepted in some very specific cases tariff quotas where the quantities were based on current trade flows. For less sensitive products where the Council accepted liberalisation the Commission negotiated such liberalisation to be implemented as late as possible in order to give the sector a reasonable delay to prepare for the new situation. The Honourable Member should also be aware that a joint declaration on agricultural quota annexed to the Agreement (paragraph 2) states that Concerning in particular prepared fruits (peaches, pears and apricots) South Africa agrees to manage its exports to the European Union in a balanced wayí. Finally, the Commission draws the attention of the Honourable Member to Article 15 of the Agreement, which contains a general safeguard clause for agriculture products. Either party to the Agreement may initiate the safeguard procedures under this clause, if imports cause or threaten to cause a serious disturbance on their market