WRITTEN QUESTION E-0051/00 by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission. Cologne process: implementation of the Poseima programme in the smaller islands of the Azores.
Date: 2000-01-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Azores, meat, milk, supplementary aid for products

24.10.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 303 E/133

(2000/C 303 E/142)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0051/00

by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission

(20 January 2000)

Subject: Cologne process: implementation of the Poseima programme in the smaller islands of the Azores

Supplementary subsidies for cattle farmers in the Azores have proved to be one of the most important
instruments of the Poseima programme, considerably reducing the exodus from the countryside and,
indeed, helping stem emigration from the Azores Autonomous Region.

The smallest and remotest of the archipelago(cid:146)s nine islands, however, face greater problems of distance,
remoteness and size than do their larger neighbours.

The effects of these factors are particularly glaring with regard to agriculture, resulting in lower producer
prices and higher costs in terms of materials and input for milk and beef producers on the smaller islands.
The highest milk price on the largest island, for example, is c. 25,5 cØntimos, while on the Ilha das Flores,
the price of 3,7 % fat content milk is 18,4 cØntimos.

The seven smaller islands account for 18 % of the archipelago(cid:146)s total dairy herd. Does the Commission not
think that the Poseima programme should be adjusted for these islands, and the existing agricultural
subsidies increased?

(2000/C 303 E/143)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0052/00

by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission

(20 January 2000)

Subject: Tobacco cultivation in the Azores and revision of the Poseima programme

The Commission, via Commission Regulation (EC) No 2848/98 (1), has regulated the conditions for
redeeming the tobacco quota defined in Regulation (EEC) No 2075/92 (2).

The Commission(cid:146)s rules make no explicit reference of any kind to the circumstances of the most remote
regions, including those of the Autonomous Region of the Azores.

In the Azores, there are virtually no producers of tobacco alone, as a rotation system prevails. The basic
agricultural infrastructures, like those for curing, are owned and managed by local undertakings, which
purchase and process Azorean tobacco.

The application of
occasionally reaches the quota on the rotation system is entitled to full compensation.

the Commission(cid:146)s rules on redeeming quotas can mean that a producer who

In addition, the continued operation of the system of redeeming quotas in the Azores is seriously
jeopardising the future existence of tobacco production there.

Tobacco production is only possible if buyers exist, and buyers will only continue to purchase tobacco
from farmers and retain ownership of the primary processing apparatus for tobacco leaf (e.g. for curing) if
there is a certain minimum production level. Otherwise, the buyers will lose their viability, and with them
will disappear the entire tobacco production sector.

In these circumstances, does the Commission not consider that the rules on tobacco should be included
among the regulations which need to be adapted in the wake of the Cologne process?

(1) OJ L 358, 31.12.1998, p. 17.
(2) OJ L 215, 30.7.1992, p. 70.