WRITTEN QUESTION No. 642/96 by Edouard des PLACES to the Commission. Imports of cheap honey which destabilize the European market
Date: 1996-03-15
Institutions: DES PLACES, European Parliament
Subjects: China, Community preference, foodstuffs legislation, honey, import, international competition, quality standard, supplementary aid for products, third country













EUR-Lex - 91996E0642 - EN






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91996E0642

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 642/96 by Edouard des PLACES to the Commission. Imports of cheap honey which destabilize the European market  


Official Journal C 217 , 26/07/1996 P. 0086 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0642/96 by Edouard des Places (EDN) to the Commission (15 March 1996)Subject: Imports of cheap honey which destabilize the European marketFor some years, imports of honey at low prices (from China in particular) have been making conditions increasingly difficult for the European Union's 435 000 beekeepers.Both climatic and social conditions (labour) are preventing our beekeepers from producing honey at world prices and they are no longer able, owing to the absence of Community preference, to withstand the international competition.Nonetheless, the profession mobilized in 1990. The European Parliament voiced its support in 1992 and in 1994 the Council of Ministers asked the Commission for a global action programme, resulting in nothing more than a discussion document on the situation of beekeeping.The situation is extremely worrying, both for the economy and for the environment, since bees also play a vital role in nature in pollinating flora and are therefore essential to the life-cycle of the plant world. What will happen the day our 435 000 beekeepers disappear?In view of the above, could the Commission:- Finally impose the Community preference?- Enforce the health and quality standards for imported honey?- Establish special European rules for honey including a pollination premium to preserve a stock of bees for the pollination of flora?- Introduce compensation for loss of income resulting from the absence of Community preference?- Introduce a framework regulation for beekeeping?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (24 April 1996)There is no market organization for honey, unlike for most agricultural products. Community preference is obtained only through a customs duty of 25.4%.From the point of view of quality, honey marketed in the Community must meet the conditions laid down by Directive 74/409/EEC. ((OJ No L 221, 12.8.1974. )) Further provisions applicable to honey are contained in Directive 93/43/EEC ((OJ No L 175, 19.7.1993. )) which lays down rules on the hygiene of foodstuffs. The Member States' authorities are responsible for ensuring the proper application of these Directives to honey imported into the Community.Directive 92/118/EEC ((OJ No L 62, 15.3.1993. )) lays down specific health requirements governing trade in honey and imports thereof into the Community.The Council recognised in October 1994 that the discussion paper on apiculture ((Doc. COM(94) 256 final, 24.6.1994. )) provided a good basis for assessing the situation of European apiculture. It requested the Commission to submit concrete proposals, taking into account the results of discussions. The Commission will submit its proposals as soon as the budget situation allows.