WRITTEN QUESTION P-0525/02

by Gian Gobbo (NI) to the Commission

(19 February 2002)

Subject: The future of tobacco growing in Europe and in the Veneto

Tobacco has been grown in Europe since the seventeenth century. European tobacco is generally grown on small farms where farming is a family tradition handed down from father to son. Tobacco growing is often combined with the production of other crops or livestock rearing and helps maintain agricultural diversity, which is certainly the case in the Veneto region, and the province of Verona in particular.

Tobacco is grown by 130 000 producers in Europe who provide employment for around 500 000 workers, mainly in Italy, Greece, France and Spain.

The Commission recently proposed a regulation which would put an end to aid for European tobacco growers. Such a measure would lead to the disappearance of tobacco growing in Europe, greatly to the benefit of non-European producers, but would not have the slightest effect on cigarette consumption, as no European Union country plans to prohibit smoking.

Does the Commission agree that it would be appropriate to maintain the centuries-old practice of tobacco growing, both on social grounds and in order to maintain a balanced agricultural sector?

Does the Commission still regard as valid the principle of Community preference, the basis on which the Common Agricultural Policy was established and developed?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(18 March 2002)

On 21 November 2001(1) the Commission adopted a proposal for a Council Regulation fixing the premiums and guarantee thresholds for leaf tobacco by variety group and Member State for the 2002, 2003 and 2004 harvests and amending Regulation (EEC) No 2075/92 of 30 June 1992 on the common organisation of the market in raw tobacco(2).

The proposal is consistent with Commission policy on the future of production aids for tobacco as set out in the Communication on a European Union Strategy for Sustainable Development, especially as regards the need to dismantle tobacco aids gradually while putting in place measures to find alternative sources of income and economic activity for tobacco growers and those working in the industry.

This Commission decision is justified by concern for an agriculture policy that is consistent with Article 152 of the EC Treaty which states that A high level of human health shall be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Community policies and activities.

The Commission is nevertheless aware of the difficulties which converting raw tobacco production could present, particularly in certain production regions. That is why the proposal amends a number of common market organisation mechanisms, in particular the Tobacco Fund, which has been recast to permit the financing, inter alia, of feasibility studies on retraining raw tobacco producers for other crops or economic activity and of initial specific conversion measures in production regions.

In addition, further proposals on the sector will be preceded by a study evaluating the common organisation of the tobacco market. The Commission will proceed in a resolute but gradual manner so as to safeguard the economic and social vitality of the production regions.

(1) COM(2001) 684 final.

(2) OJ L 215, 30.7.1992.