WRITTEN QUESTION E-1980/01

by Piia-Noora Kauppi (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(5 July 2001)

Subject: Environmental impact of intensive olive cultivation

According to a report published on 18 June 2001 by the WWF and Birdlife International, intensive olive cultivation, which has increased as a result of EU agricultural support, is causing desertification, depleting the soil, and destroying the environment in Mediterranean countries. The report states that in Spain, for example, 80 million tonnes of topsoil a year are lost in Andalusian olive groves on account of intensive cultivation. Soil deposits from olive groves cause problems elsewhere by clogging reservoirs and the like. In addition, ancient deciduous woodlands in Spain, Greece, and Portugal are being cleared to make room for intensive plantations.

In the EU agricultural budget EUR 2 250 million has been earmarked for olive growing, and that sum is being used almost entirely to support production. Growers receive aid in proportion to the quantity of olives that they produce and are consequently encouraged to resort to intensive cultivation and artificial irrigation and expand their plantations.

Is the Commission aware that intensive olive cultivation today poses one of Europe's biggest environmental problems?

What steps will it take to minimise the damage being caused?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(12 October 2001)

The Commission is aware of the WWF report to which the honourable Member refers and of the environmental difficulties associated with the olive-oil sector and it drew attention to that concern in its Report to the Council and Parliament on the quality strategy for olive oil(1).

The Commission also agrees with many of the Report's findings and indeed with the overall objective of a sustainable agricultural policy that respects the environment. It is, however, ill-advised to say that the problems posed are among Europe's worst as there are no data to back up such a claim.

The Commission points out that olive-oil production aid has enabled the fabric of rural society to be maintained in many regions of the Community and has thus contributed significantly to combating desertification. Certain types of olive groves, particularly those tended by organic methods, help to restore degraded environments. Nonetheless, in view of the adverse effects that excessive intensification could have on the environment, the Council has decided to take measures to curb new planting since 1998.

The Commission also draws attention to the obligations of Member States in relation to environmental protection requirements laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No 1259/1999 of 17 May 1999 establishing common rules for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy(2) and it looks forward to receiving information from the Member States concerned regarding the olive-oil sector by 30 September 2001. This information should include an analysis of the situation of land used for olive production, a detailed description of the environmental measures contemplated in the light of the analysis and a detailed description of any penalties decided.

There are currently no suitable means of checking aid granted on a flat-rate basis and there is therefore no alternative to aid indexed to production. In June 2001 the Council decided that from 1 November 2003 the aid would be granted subject to the existence of aerial-photograph monitoring of the trees concerned, which will open up several options for granting the aid.

(1) COM(2000) 855 final (fourth paragraph of point 1.3.1).

(2) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.