WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4085/98 by Giulio FANTUZZI Rice imports
Date: 1999-01-14
Institutions: European Parliament, FANTUZZI
Subjects: CCT duties, common organisation of markets, customs duties, import, import levy, originating product, representative price, rice, third country, world market price

6.11.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 320/115

(1999/C 320/152)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4085/98

by Giulio Fantuzzi (PSE) to the Commission

(14 January 1999)

Subject: Rice imports

According to information available to me, the Commission intends to apply a new system for imports of rice
from third countries as from 1 January 1999, reducing the duty by on average €25 a ton.

Can the Commission answer the following:

1. How does it intend to compensate Community producers for this further reduction in customs duty and

comply with the principle of preference for Community products?

2. How can it justify the 8 % increase in the prices considered for determining the duty, given that the

reference quality is related to the best product available on the world market?

3. Does it plan to put forward an early proposal to amend the common organisation of the market in rice
that will improve the economic situation of Community producers considering that planting will have to
be done by March at the latest?

Anwser given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(12 February 1999)

The cumulative recovery system (CRS) for husked rice introduced by Commission Regulation (EC) 703/97
of April 1997 introducing for a trial period from 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998 a cumulative recovery system
for determining certain import duties on rice and amending Regulation (EC) 1503/96 (1) operated to
31 December 1998. It was terminated because of its administrative complexity and the risk of distortion of
trade. From 1 January 1999 the import duty on husked indica rice is calculated on its representative price in
the United States market increased by 8 %.

This is an improvement on the CRS and should provide a more correct application of Community protection
at the border.

The basis for the increase on the representative prices is data provided by application of the CRS and the trend
of world market quotations notably for rice of higher quality.

The Commission is at present examining various possibilities for adjustment of the rice market organisation in
order to resolve its structural problems. A proposal will be drawn up as soon as possible so that Community
growers can take their decisions before planting time.

(1) OJ L 104, 22.4.1997.

(1999/C 320/153)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4086/98

by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Commission

(14 January 1999)

Subject: Combating fraud in Suriname as a means of fighting transatlantic crime

Is the Commission aware of the statements by the head of the customs service in Suriname, Arthur Trott,
1.
that relations have developed between manufacturers abroad and Surinamese importers such that ‘under-
invoicing has become an everyday practice’ and that this fact is assisting the spread of transatlantic crime?

Does not the Commission agree that it ought to be possible to pass on to Suriname European know-how

2.
in the field of combating fraud?