WRITTEN QUESTION P-0291/98 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE) to the Commission (5 February 1998)

Subject: Major problems facing potato growers in Crete

Major problems have recently arisen affecting the cultivation of potatoes in Crete, particularly in the mountain area of Lasithi. This year's harvest has been devastated as a result of contaminated potato seed imported from Denmark and Holland and the harvested potatoes cannot be stored and sold. The problem is such that it is not even possible to carry out further cultivation using healthy seed. In response to this the Greek Government has taken a number of measures, including provisions for the 'quarantine' of potatoes and derived products from Crete and a cultivation ban over the next three years. This is causing major financial problems to local producers, since potatoes are practically the sole crop produced in the mountain area of Lasithi and the possibilities of an immediate conversion to other crops are judged to be very limited. In view of this can the Commission provide the following information:

1. Who was responsible for the release into circulation of contaminated potato seed? Does the Commission consider that the Greek authorities or the authorities of other Member States of the European Union bear responsibility for failure to carry out the necessary checks when the product was being put on the market?

2. Is the European Union able to provide some form of damages or at least financial aid to help offset present and anticipated losses suffered by producers?

3. In view of the fact that Commission Regulation (EC) No 2051/97 ((OJ L 287, 21.10.1997, p. 13.)) of 20 October 1997 concerning the allocation of a 'plant-health control' financial contribution from the Community does not apply directly to imports from other Member States but from third countries, is it possible to adapt the provisions thereof to cases such as this or are there any other general possibilities of providing aid for measures to prevent contamination and assist recovery on the land affected?

4. Can the European Union provide any financial assistance for provisional or more permanent restructuring and for conversion towards alternative crops, in so far as this is regarded by experts as feasible?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (4 March 1998)

The Commission is aware of the problems which have recently arisen in Crete affecting the cultivation of potatoes, particularly in the mountain areas of Lasithi.

In order to assess the situation, the Commission, within its phytosanitary responsibilities, organised a mission of experts to Crete, which investigated the extent of the problem on the spot and also collected information on the circumstances which could have caused the outbreaks of potato ring rot in the said area. At this stage of the investigation, no definite conclusion can be drawn on any form of responsibility.

Council Directive 97/3/EC ((OJ L 27, 30.1.1997. )) amending Council Directive 77/93/EEC on protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community ((OJ L 26, 31.1.1977. )) contains provisions and details of the mechanism for granting a Community financial contribution to cover expenditure relating directly to the necessary specific measures which have been taken or are planned to be taken by Member States for the purpose of combating harmful organisms introduced from third countries or from other areas in the Community, in order to eradicate them or, if that is not possible, to contain them.

Commission Regulation (EC) No 2051/97 which stipulates additional rules to be met by Member States when applying for the said Community financial contribution is, contrary to the Honourable Member's suggestion, also applicable to cases where harmful organisms have been introduced from other areas in the Community. Hence no changes in the relevant provisions are necessary.

In respect of Community financial assistance for provisional or more permanent restructuring and for conversion to alternative crops, as requested by the Honourable Member, the Commission is not at present in a position to reply and will examine the matter further.