EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/313

(2004/C 84 E/0361)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0135/04

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(20 January 2004)

Subject: Rome central dairy: safeguarding jobs and protecting farmers

Since 1996, a series of questions have been submitted condemning alleged irregularities in the privatisation procedure of the Rome central dairy (see Written Questions P-1747/96 (1), P-1071/97 (2), E-3408/97 (3), E-0547/98 (4), E-1511/98 (5), E-2486/98 (6), E-0567/99 (7) and P-2069/99 (8)); in particular, doubts were expressed over the legitimacy of the procedure restructuring the company's debt using state aid and over the manner of its subsequent sale to Cirio in 1999 for LIT 26 500 million and of its sale to the Parmalat group for LIT 334 800 million.

Today, the events of the financial collapse of the multinational Parmalat run the risk of drawing in the company Eurolat S.p.A., which owns 75 % of the Rome central dairy and which is controlled by the Parmalat group.

Nevertheless, thanks to the acquisition of the remaining 16 % by Finlatte S.p.A., on which 250 farmers depend, the Rome central dairy has enjoyed a financial recovery over recent years and has shown a profit.

Today, however, there is a real risk that the other 500 holdings that make up the ancillary industry of the central dairy may be closed, with serious repercussions in terms of jobs for the entire dairy and zootechnical sector in Lazio and the subsequent dismantling of an industrial cluster that is robust both financially and in terms of production.

In order to prevent the closure of the Rome central dairy, Finlatte S.p.A., which has technical resources and managerial capacity available, could manage the holding directly, paying rent to the said holding, money which could be used for a re-entry plan. It could also form a new Newco involving farmers and dependent workers, acquiring 100 % of the Rome central dairy on their behalf and for example, financing operations with a leveraged buyout, as there is still the possibility of wide margins for the said holding.

1. Does the Commission consider possible the setting up of a new Newco tesa to safeguard the jobs in danger?

2. What financial instruments other than rent and leveraged buyout are available?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(12 February 2004)

On 11 April 2000 the Commission adopted Decision 2000/628/EC on the aid granted by Italy to the Azienda Comunale Centrale del Latte di Roma (9).

The Commission is not aware of a risk of closure of the Rome central dairy.

On the basis of the information available, the Commission is not in a position to reply to the questions asked by the Honourable Member.

If a State Aid for the rescue and restructuring of a company in difficulty which operates in the milk business is notified to the Commission under Article 88 of the EC Treaty, the Commission will evaluate it in accordance with the rules applicable to these types of aids.

(1) OJ C 345, 15.11.1996, p. 102.

(2) OJ C 373, 9.12.1997, p. 60.

(3) OJ C 158, 25.5.1998, p. 103.

(4) OJ C 310, 9.10.1998, p. 84.

(5) OJ C 13, 18.1.1999, p. 39.

(6) OJ C 289, 11.10.1999, p. 9.

(7) OJ C 348, 3.12.1999, p. 102.

(8) OJ C 203 E, 18.7.2000, p. 129.

(9) Commission Decision 2000/628/EC of 11 April 2000 on the aid granted by Italy to Centrale del Latte di Roma, OJ L 265, 19.10.2000.