WRITTEN QUESTION E-0190/00

by Salvador Jové Peres (GUE/NGL) and Pedro Marset Campos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(31 January 2000)

Subject: Tomato imports from Morocco

Because the ceilings on imports of tomatoes from Morocco have been exceeded, the provisions of the Association Agreement with the Kingdom of Morocco have been applied requiring import certificates to be provided.

According to reports in the press, the management committee for the fruit and vegetables sector is to meet on 20 January 2000 to discuss a proposal to abolish the requirement for import certificates for Moroccan tomatoes.

According to media reports, the Commission has agreed to end the requirement for import certificates on condition that Morocco undertakes to comply with the quotas laid down in the Association Agreement.

Does the Commission believe that promises need to be secured concerning compliance with the provisions of international agreements? Does it believe that a promise to this effect is worth more and offers greater guarantees than the actual signature of the Association Agreement by Morocco's representatives?

In the absence of import certificates and bearing in mind the overrun of the quotas that has so far occurred, what measures will the Commission take to control tomato imports from Morocco and ensure compliance with the Association Agreement?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0189/00 and E-0190/00 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(23 February 2000)

After having noticed that Moroccan exports of tomatoes to the Community exceeded the agreed limits, and after unsuccessful consultations with the Moroccan authorities, the Commission introduced Regulation (EC) No 2767/1999 of 23 December 1999 introducing a system of licences for imports of tomatoes from Morocco(1). Following new consultations and the firm engagement from the Moroccan side to respect the agreed quantities during the current marketing year, the Commission repealed the import licences by Regulation (EC) No 188/2000 of 26 January 2000(2), while committing itself to enhance the existing import control mechanisms. If necessary, the import licences system could be re-introduced.

The regulation establishing import licences was adopted by management committee procedure on the legal basis of Article 3 of Decision 95/35/EC of 19 December 1994 on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of exchange of letters between the Community and the Morocco on the regime for imports into the Community of tomatoes and courgettes originating in and imported from Morocco(3). Following the same procedure and the same legal basis, Regulation (EC) No 2767/1999 was repealed.

The Commission repealed the regulation on import licences following the renewed commitment from Morocco to respect, for the current marketing year, the terms of the above-mentioned exchange of letters, foreseeing a limitation of total exports of tomatoes to 145 676 tonnes for the period November 1999 to March 2000.

The Commission has committed itself to enhance existing controls of imports of tomatoes in the Community with the co-operation of Member States' customs and will re-introduce import certificates if Morocco does not respect the agreed quantities.

(1) OJ L 333, 24.12.1999.

(2) OJ L 22, 27.1.2000.

(3) OJ L 48, 3.3.1995.