WRITTEN QUESTION E-3490/00

by Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN) to the Commission

(10 November 2000)

Subject: Cuts in durum wheat production in Sicily

The Commission has decided to transfer durum wheat production quotas from Sicily to France, which will cost the Sicilian economy around ITL 1 400 billion.

The decision is supposed to be the result of the short and medium term objective to allocate 5 % of agricultural resources to facilitating the entry of the Eastern European countries.

In view of the fact that Sicily cannot be penalised because it is an underdeveloped region eligible under Objective 1 of the structural funds,

can the Commission say:

1. what considerations apart from the indirect aid to the countries of Eastern Europe induced the Commission to decide on the above transfer of funds;

2. whether, before taking this decision, it assessed the seriousness of the damage it will cause to the Sicilian economy;

3. whether it envisages as an alternative to producing less durum wheat encouraging other types of farming, such as organic farming?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(14 December 2000)

The Commission has never taken a decision to transfer durum wheat production quotas from one producing Member State to another.

For the record, Council Regulation (EC) No 2309/97 of 17 November 1997 amending Regulation (EEC) No 1765/92 establishing a support system for producers of certain arable crops(1) changed the specific rules on durum wheat production by introducing a guaranteed maximum area divided among the various producing Member States.

As part of a final compromise and in order to ensure budgetary neutrality vis-à-vis the Commission proposal, the Council reduced aid per hectare by 4 % and increased the overall maximum area (divided among the Member States) to correspond as closely as possible to the current position of durum wheat production.

There was no connection between that decision and the problems of enlarging the Community to include Eastern European countries.

Council Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 of 24 June 1991 on organic production of agricultural products and indications referring thereto on agricultural products and foodstuffs(2) established a legal framework for organic farming in response to the sector's difficulties and to consumer interest in its products. Organic production methods soon also became the subject of agri-environmental measures under Council Regulation (EEC) No 2078/92 of 30 June 1992 on agricultural production methods compatible with the requirements of the protection of the environment and the maintenance of the countryside(3), which has since been replaced by Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and amending and repealing certain Regulations(4). The measures are aimed at providing support for agricultural production methods designed to protect the environment and preserve natural areas. Support is granted to farmers who enter into agri-environmental commitments for a minimum period of five years. Aid is allocated annually and calculated with reference to loss of income (particularly during the changeover to organic farming), the additional costs resulting from the commitments, and the need to provide a financial incentive.

As during the previous programming period, Sicily's agri-environmental measures provide for an initiative to introduce and sustain organic farming. The crops eligible include cereals and hence durum wheat.

(1) OJ L 321, 22.11.1997.

(2) OJ L 198, 22.7.1991.

(3) OJ L 215, 30.7.1992.

(4) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.