WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1848/97 by Daniela RASCHHOFER to the Commission. Market organization for olive oil
Date: 1997-05-30
Institutions: European Parliament, RASCHHOFFER
Subjects: EU control, aid system, application of EU law, common organisation of markets, competence of the Member States, fraud against the EU, information system, olive oil, sanction (EU)













EUR-Lex - 91997E1848 - EN






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91997E1848

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1848/97 by Daniela RASCHHOFER to the Commission. Market organization for olive oil  


Official Journal C 060 , 25/02/1998 P. 0057 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1848/97 by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission (30 May 1997)Subject: Market organization for olive oilWhy are their irregularities with the appropriations provided for the market organization for olive oil?What is the natures of these irregularities?What are the reasons for the increase in these irregularities?How does the Commission intend to prevent them in the future?What is the extent of the damage suffered hitherto?What countries are affected?What penalties can the Commission impose?What penalties have been imposed?What data are available on these points 1996?Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission (14 July 1997)As regards cases of irregularities and fraud involving olive oil (second, fifth, sixth and ninth points raised), the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written question E-1059/97 by Mr Cabezón Alonso ((OJ C 373, 9.12.1997, p. 57. )). In addition, the Commission is sending direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat general a table containing cases of fraud communicated by the Member States in 1996.Concerning weaknesses of the current legal framework and actions to prevent fraud in the future (points one, three and four), the Commission would take the view, as indicated in its note to the Council and the Parliament ((COM(97) 57 final. )), that measures have to be adopted to counter irregularities in the framework of the common market organisation. The matter has been referred to the Parliament for its advice and when this is received, the Commission will be in a position to table its proposals.As far as penalties are concerned (points seven and eight), the Commission would point out that a range of penalties exist (both administrative and criminal) and would add that it is the responsibility of the Member States to apply such penalties. For example, under the provisions of Regulation (EEC) No 2677/85 ((OJ L 254, 25.9.1985, as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 887/96, OJ L 119, 16.5.1996. )), as regards consumption aid and depending on the seriousness of the infringement, Member States apply:- the payment of an amount equal to between 3 and 8 times the aid improperly applied for;- the withdrawal of approval for a period from 1 to 3 years where the quantity for which aid has been unduly applied for is at least 20% of the total quantity subject to checking for which entitlement to aid has been recognised.The Commission would finally underline that it does not systematically receive information on sanctions decided by national authorities from the Member States.