WRITTEN QUESTION No. 276/98 by Sirkka-Liisa ANTTILA to the Commission. European Union's short-sighted export policy a serious obstacle to the export of agricultural products, particularly cheese
Date: 1998-02-05
Institutions: ANTTILA, European Parliament
Subjects: GATT, agricultural product, cheese, export aid, export licence, export policy, export refund, price reduction













EUR-Lex - 91998E0276 - EN






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91998E0276

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 276/98 by Sirkka-Liisa ANTTILA to the Commission. European Union's short-sighted export policy a serious obstacle to the export of agricultural products, particularly cheese  


Official Journal C 223 , 17/07/1998 P. 0153 





WRITTEN QUESTION P-0276/98 by Sirkka-Liisa Anttila (ELDR) to the Commission (5 February 1998)Subject: European Union's short-sighted export policy a serious obstacle to the export of agricultural products, particularly cheeseThe way in which the European Union's manages the export of agricultural products to countries outside the Union has stifled opportunities for its long-term export operations. Its short-sighted export policy, keeping exporters uncertain whether they will be granted export licences, can easily backfire, forming an obstacle to trade and reducing export prices. This is a particular problem for products which do not improve with keeping. Cheese is an important export product for the EU, and its long-term export prospects have already been harmed more than enough by the GATT rules among other factors. Policy on the export of cheese creates a vicious circle. When the granting of export licences is interrupted, stocks grow and the need to export increases. This in turn can lower export prices, which is not in the EU's interest either.Three different categories of export aid are currently paid: for exports to Russia and the rest of Eastern Europe, for those to the USA and for those to the rest of the world. The European Union should pursue a longer-term export policy for its agricultural products, so that the EU's exports can be more flexible and the highest possible market price be obtained for them, which would also be of economic benefit to the EU.What measures does the Commission propose to take to improve the flexibility, and reduce the short-termism of the EU's exports of agricultural products, and cheese in particular, so that it can obtain the best possible price for its exports?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (3 March 1998)The Honourable Member is invited to refer to the answer to Written Question E-2836/96 by Mr Viola ((OJ C 91, 20.3.1997. )) in which the Commission set out the constraints imposed by the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and explained what instruments it had available to respect its commitments under this Agreement and to provide maximum safeguards for Community exports of milk products. The criteria for differentiating and, if necessary, abolishing the refunds for certain destinations were also set out there. In the light of experience, differentiation was introduced in three areas of refunds for cheese to limit as far as possible the consequences of the measures imposed by the GATT constraints.Since this geographical differentiation was introduced on 1 October 1997, no new measure has proved necessary. Consequently, the Commission notes with satisfaction that the measure has contributed decisively to achieving the stability in refunds for cheese which the Honourable Member desires.For the longer-term prospects, the Honourable Member is invited to refer to the 'Agenda 2000' communication ((COM (97) 2000 final. )) and to the proposals which will result from this.