WRITTEN QUESTION E-3310/98

by Encarnación Redondo Jiménez (PPE) to the Commission

(10 November 1998)

Subject: Agriculture: imports of tiger nuts into the EU from third countries

The tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) is one of the traditional crops grown by farmers in the area known as "L'horta de Valencia" (Spain). Historical records show that this crop has been cultivated since the sixteenth century, in agricultural and climatic conditions which are unique to this particular Mediterranean area. The plant is used mainly for the preparation of "horchata", a refreshing drink (resembling a milk-shake) of indisputable nutritional value. The tiger nut is still being cultivated in "L'horta de Valencia", but in recent years severe difficulties have arisen which are endangering the continued production of this traditional, local Valencian crop. One reason for the fall in production lies in the large-scale imports of the product from African countries.

The Commission is therefore requested to answer the questions that follow:

1. How many tonnes of this plant have entered the EU in the last few years?

2. At which ports or customs posts were these imports registered?

3. Under what customs codes did the plants enter?

4. What import duties are these plants subjected to on entry into the EU?

5. What plant health rules do tiger nuts from third countries have to comply with in order to enter the EU?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(15 January 1999)

1. The tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) is mainly grown in countries with a Mediterranean type of climate. The rhizomes of this plant are roughly the size of an olive and contain approximately 30 % oil, 30 % starch and 20 % sugar and cellulose. Tiger nuts are accordingly classified under Combined Nomenclature subheading 07149090, the residual code for heading 0714, which covers a variety of products. There being no separate code for tiger nuts, the Commission is unable to give exact figures for the volume traded. By way of indication, however, Spain's imports under code 07149090 totalled 1 536 tonnes in 1996 and 1 239 tonnes in 1997.

2. The Commission is unable to specify the ports or customs offices through which tiger nuts have been imported.

3. and 4. The common customs tariff (CCT) duty on tiger nuts is 3 %. Products originating in African, Caribbean and Pacific States(ACP)or the Overseas Departments and Territories qualify for duty-free entry, as do least-developed countries under the Generalised System of Preferences. There is a 30 % reduction (i.e. a preferential tariff of 2,1 %)for products originating in other GSP beneficiary countries with the exception of Chile, Mexico and Thailand, now considered too advanced to claim preferences in this sector.

5. There are no special Community plant health rules for tiger nuts, but the general provisions laid down by Council Directive 77/93/EEC of 21 December 1976 on protective measures against the introduction into the Member States of harmful organisms of plants or plant products apply(1). Other applicable legislation includes Directive 89/397/EEC of 14 June 1989 on the official control of foodstuffs(2), which provides for inspection by approved laboratories. Pesticide levels are checked, inter alia, under Directive 90/642/EEC of 27 November 1990 on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables(3) and its implementing directive.

(1) OJ L 26, 31.1.1977, as last amended by Directive 98/2/EC (OJ L 15, 21.1.1998).

(2) OJ L 186, 30.6.1989.

(3) OJ L 350, 14.12.1990.