WRITTEN QUESTION E-3091/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(13 November 2001)

Subject: Progress with implementation of restructuring programmes for Greek vineyards

Wine-growers' organisations and the professional organisation representing the sector have voiced deep concern over the progress made in implementing the programmes for restructuring Greek vineyards, drawing up the vineyard register, the manner in which the rights to plant new vineyards are used, and the legalisation of previously unlawful vineyards. They are also concerned that the financial aid from Community resources for restructuring is extremely low compared with the cost of grubbing up and replanting, which is a significant disincentive for growers.

1. Can the Commission report on the progress of the programmes for the restructuring of Greek vineyards, the vineyard register etc.? Are there delays and to what are they attributable? What implications might they have?

2. Will the Commission consider the possibility of increasing the aid to facilitate restructuring for growers, at least in areas such as islands where wine growing represents a solution to the inherent problems they face (528 euro per 1 000 m2 is currently granted for grubbing up and replanting in mountain and island regions)?

3. Since in Greece vineyards are grubbed up following compulsory purchase of land for infrastructure projects (building of airports and major roads), will further planting rights be approved to cover the loss of vineyard capacity?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(7 January 2002)

The wine-growing industry's concerns brought to our attention by the Honourable Member cover in particular the implementation of vineyard restructuring plans, the management of replanting rights and the legalisation of previously unlawful vineyards; these matters fall within the competence of the Member State in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity that the Council has sought to incorporate into the basic Regulation on the common organisation of the market (COM) in wine (Council Regulation (EC) No1493/1999 of 17 May 1999 on the common organisation of the market in wine(1)).

1. An inventory of wine production potential must be presented in order to qualify for structural aid under the COM for wine. That inventory was forwarded by Greece on 25 June 2001 and the Commission adopted the relevant decision on 18 July 2001.

The Member States have sole responsibility for drawing up and implementing restructuring plans.

2. Funds allocated to Greece by the Commission amounted to 8,28 million for the 2000/01 wine year (1 162 hectares) and 7,32 million for 2001/02 (1 028 ha). The average aid per hectare is7 125, not5 280 as the Honourable Member claims. At all events the Member State can increase or reduce the aid in order to adapt it to the special conditions in each wine-growing area. Greece has not used its allocation for the 2000/01 wine year.

3. Replanting rights are granted under national provisions where compulsory purchase of wine-growing areas takes place in the public interest. A Community legal basis has always existed for this and the new COM for wine also makes similar provision for this (Article 3(1)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 and Article 3(1) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1227/2000 of 31 May 2000 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 on the common organisation of the market in wine, as regards production potential(2)).

(1) OJ L 179, 14.7.1999.

(2) OJ L 143, 16.6.2000.