WRITTEN QUESTION E-0962/00

by Gorka Knörr Borràs (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(29 March 2000)

Subject: Hazelnut production in Catalonia

Catalonia is, in Spanish and EU terms, a major producer of hazelnuts and other nuts. Over 90 % of Spain's total hazelnut production is concentrated in the region, and in some municipalities this production accounts for as much 85 % of the cultivated area. Catalan hazelnuts now have to compete with those from Turkey, the US and the countries of northern Africa all of whose cheap hazelnuts have made large inroads into the EU import market. Producers have had great difficulty in competing with these imports. In recent years, the COM in fruits and vegetables has provided for a system of direct aids for hazelnuts harvested in 1997-1998, 1998-1999 and 1999-2000, with a view to guaranteeing minimum income levels for producers. The 1999-2000 harvest is the last one to receive Community aid, and this circumstance will lead to a reduction in potential income for a large number of rural producers in Catalonia.

Is the Commission aware of the importance of the hazelnut crop for Catalonia?

What measures does the Commission intend to take to guarantee that Catalan hazelnut producers' income levels will be maintained?

Does the Commission intend to ensure that the COM in fruits and vegetables includes provision for renewing the direct aid to hazelnut production specified in Article 55 of Regulation (EC) 2200/1996(1) for 1997-1998, 1998-1999 and 1999-2000?

(1) OJ L 297, 21.11.1996, p. 1.

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0955/00 and E-0962/00 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(10 May 2000)

The majority of the nut area in Catalonia has benefited from financial support for 10 years under the provisions of Title IIa of Regulation (EEC) No 1035/72 of the Council of 18 May 1972 on the common organisation of the market in fruit and vegetables(1) in order to improve nut productivity and competitiveness. Community-wide expenditure on nuts in this scheme from 1990 to 1999 was 725 million. Further expenditure of over 250 million for improvement plans still in operation is foreseen until 2006.

Nearly all the hazelnut area in Catalonia has benefited from the specific flat-rate aid for hazelnuts which was granted for the period 1997-2000 under the provisions of Article 55 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 of 28 October 1996 on the common organisation of the market in fruit and vegetables(2).

These measures were always intended to be temporary and degressive, in order to allow a shift of financial responsibility on to the growers.

Since 1997, aid is available for nuts and locust beans, as for all other products in the fruit and vegetable sector, through the operational fund scheme of Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 which provides financial support for all fruit and vegetables marketed through producer organisations.

Member States may also include nuts in their rural development plans under conditions of Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and amending and repealing certain Regulations(3).

(1) OJ L 118, 20.5.1972.

(2) OJ L 297, 21.11.1996.

(3) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.