WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2219/98 by Jesús CABEZÓN ALONSO , Juan COLINO SALAMANCA to the Commission. Olive oil and blends
Date: 1998-07-16
Institutions: CABEZON ALONSO, COLINO SALAMANCA, European Parliament
Subjects: common organisation of markets, designation of origin, location of production, olive oil, product quality, quality control of industrial products, quality standard, vegetable oil

C 135/34

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.5.1999

The method of calculation of these standard amounts, which are applied across the Community, is laid
down in Commission Regulation (EEC) 1643/89 of 12 June 1989 defining the standard amounts to be used
for financing material operations arising from the public storage of agricultural products (3) and is based
on the weighted average of the real costs communicated by the four least expensive Member States,
provided that those Member States hold at least 33 % of the quantities of the product in question. The
Commission does not have a policy of publishing the real rates communicated to it for the purpose of this
calculation.

Since the Commission pays a uniform rate throughout the Community, the suggestion that different
payment rates for storage across the Community distort competition is not relevant. Although the real rates
applicable from one Member State to another may vary, this is a reflection of the market conditions in each
Member State.

If no physical movement of product takes place, the standard amount is reduced by ECU 0,72 per ton.

(1)
(2) Article 4 of Commission Regulation (EEC) 3597/90 of 12 December 1990 on the accounting rules for intervention
measures involving the buying-in, storage and sale of agricultural products by intervention agencies, OJ L 350,
14.12.1990.

(3) OJ L 162, 13.6.1989.

(1999/C 135/037)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2219/98

by Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE)
and Juan Colino Salamanca (PSE) to the Commission

(16 July 1998)

Subject: Olive oil and blends

Why does the most recent reform of the common organization of the market in olive oil approved by the
Council not include a ban on blends, even though their use is detrimental to the quality or designations of
origin of olive oil and, moreover, the European Parliament had supported such a ban in its recommenda-
tions?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(28 September 1998)

Mixtures of olive oil and other vegetable oils do not qualify for protected designations of origin or
protected geographical indications.

The Council and the Commission, in connection with the compromise of 25 June 1998, agreed to give
particular priority to a detailed examination of quality strategy during the period preceding the definitive
proposal for the reform of the common organisation of the market in olive oil. This includes the question
of mixtures of olive oil and seed oils. This question requires an investigation of the various possible
options, for which Member States put forward contradictory arguments, and has to be studied in
connection with aspects relating to analyses and quality control.

(1999/C 135/038)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2220/98

by Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE)
and Juan Colino Salamanca (PSE) to the Commission

(16 July 1998)

Subject: Number of bovine animals eligible for premiums in Spain

In the Agenda 2000 forecasts and the proposals for regulations concerning the reform of the CAP, the
Commission has determined that 649 896 bovine animals qualify for premiums in Spain.