WRITTEN QUESTION E-0723/98 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI), Cristiana Muscardini (NI), Gastone Parigi (NI) and Salvatore Tatarella (NI) to the Commission (18 March 1998)

Subject: Petition signed by 5 000 Italian dairy farmers on application of the system of milk quotas

In a petition submitted by representatives of 5 000 Italian dairy farmers on the application of the milk quota system in Italy and in Europe the signatories claim that the common organization of the market in the dairy sector has created a temporary milk production quota system which is contrary to the objectives of the common agricultural policy and the other objectives laid down in the Treaty for EU producers and consumers of milk. The current situation allegedly infringes Articles 39, 40, 118, 123, 129, 130u, 130v, 155 and 130r of the Treaty.

They also feel that the Commission has not fulfilled the obligations aimed at guaranteeing the Italian Government's compliance with the provisions of the Treaty and their application.

Can the Commission say:

1. why, 13 years after the introduction of the milk quota system, it cannot yet supply precise figures concerning Italian milk production;

2. why, since the increase in Italian quotas in 1992, the Commission has not brought proceedings against Italy for its incorrect transposition of the European directive;

3. which Member States, with regard to powdered milk, opposed the introduction of a system allowing their inclusion in the figures for 'liquid' milk?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (16 April 1998)

1. The Commission has official figures available to it which are notified annually by the relevant Member State under the provisions in Community legislation (Article 8 of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 536/93 of 9 March 1993 laying down detailed rules on the application of the additional levy on milk and milk products ((OJ L 57, 10.3.1993. ))). These figures are subjected to controls and checks in connection with the annual clearance of accounts. For 1995/96 and 1996/97, the Italian authorities told the Commission that the production data supplied were subject to later checks. The Commission was given a solemn assurance that the finalised level of milk production for the two periods in question would be notified as soon as possible. It should be pointed out that, should final figures not be supplied, the Commission cannot fulfil a Member State's obligations for it.

2. The Commission does not share the opinion of the Honourable Members. Since 1992, the Commission has been following the evolution of the quota system in Italy very closely. The volume of correspondence and numerous inspection visits are proof of this. The outcome was several amendments to [national] Law No 468/92 of 26 November 1992. When the national legislation was found not to be in conformity with Community law, the Commission reacted with all the means at its disposal. In particular, the Commission started two infringement procedures against Italy, the first on 9 March 1995 and the second on 12 January 1998. Under the latter, the Commission decided on 25 March 1998 to send Italy a reasoned opinion. The Commission also reduced its advances on agricultural expenditure each time Italy failed to comply with the deadline for payment of the levies due to the Community.

3. The Commission has never made a formal proposal in the Council on the use of tracers in skimmed-milk powder.