WRITTEN QUESTION E-1839/96 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (5 July 1996)

Subject: Extension of Regulation No 2019/93 to all the Greek islands

Agriculture on the Greek islands is in decline, while the demographic situation is characterized by a marked ageing of the population, particularly the farming population, which is also caused by strong competition from the tertiary sector (tourism).

Council Regulation (EEC) No 2019/93 ((OJ L 184, 27.7.1993, p. 1. )) made an enormous contribution to the attempt to balance development of the primary and tertiary sectors. That attempt should be continued with the Regulation being revised and extended to all Greek islands. This is essential because the grounds for the Regulation's adoption are valid for all Greek islands.

The revision which is envisaged by the Regulation itself should cover all those points by, for example, abolishing quotas and co-responsibility as well as improving incentives for young people to remain in farming. It is estimated that the abolition of quotas would have a negligible impact on the Community budget because of the islands' limited agricultural potential. It would, however, make life much easier for young farmers who remain in the farming profession, and depopulation of the countryside would thus be prevented. Particular importance should be attached to liberalizing production of cows' milk, processed tomatoes, durum wheat, eligible sheep and goats, suckler cows and meat production. At the same time, the specific supply arrangement should be improved and the measures to support local products (wines, pulses, mastic, honey, potatoes, sea sponges, etc.) should be extended. Particular attention should be paid to maintaining the island landscape by granting special conditions, while the derogations applicable to structural measures should be improved.

What are the Commission's views on the revision and extension of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2019/93 to all Greek islands?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (22 July 1996)

The Commission welcomes the Honourable Member's observations on the contribution made by Regulation (EEC) No 2019/93 to achieving balanced development on the small Aegean islands inasmuch as it demonstrates that the Commission proposal, which the Council has approved, was well-prepared and even-weighted.

On the basis of experience acquired during the implementation of Regulation (EEC) No 2019/93, the Greek authorities requested the amendment of certain measures which the Commission is currently examining with a view to proposing subsequently, if necessary, a readjustment of such measures whilst observing the principles of the common agricultural policy. This examination requires more extensive discussion with the Greek authorities.

The Commission does not consider it necessary to extend Regulation (EEC) No 2019/93 to cover all the Greek islands, since its aim is to promote the economic and social development of the small Aegean islands which, because of their size, their limited scope for agricultural production and their distance from the mainland, experience problems of supply, have very little self-sufficiency and an extremely inadequate agricultural infrastructure.