WRITTEN QUESTION E-3250/00 by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission. The EU's cork policy.
Date: 2000-10-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European forestry policy, cork

22.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 151 E/113

Although significant progress was made in the talks, in particular concerning fishing opportunities and
financial compensation, the agreement was not concluded. This was because the Commission,
in full
agreement with the Member States concerned (particularly Spain), was not in a position to agree to the
Cape Verde demand that a provision be inserted obliging surface longliners to land their catches at the
port of Mindelo.

The Commission is making every effort to ensure that this agreement is concluded as soon as possible.
However, Cape Verde has not yet been in a position to set a new date for talks.

(2001/C 151 E/126)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3249/00

by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(20 October 2000)

Subject: EU aids for olive oil marketing

At a recent seminar on (cid:145)The production and marketing of olive oil (cid:129) present situation and prospects(cid:146) held
at a summer school in Baeza (JaØn province), the town which is the centre of Spain(cid:146)s olive oil industry, the
view was expressed by both the technical adviser for relations with the EU of the National Olive Oil
Agency and an expert on EU policy from the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture that the EU aids to the olive
oil sector will not be reduced: rather, their nature will change.

These experts considered that the nature of the aids will change in the sense that funding will go not only
to production but also to other activities such as marketing.

Since marketing is the Achilles heel of the olive oil sector, can the Commission confirm that the reform of
aid to the sector will in fact cover other activities such as marketing?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 2000)

The common organisation of the market for the olive oil sector in its present form, as provided for in
Regulation No 136/66/EEC of the Council of 22 September 1966 on the establishment of a common
organisation of the market in oils and fats (1), expires on 31 October 2001.

To allow new arrangements to be introduced from 1 November 2001, the Commission intends to submit
a proposal to the Council and Parliament in good time. The Commission is currently examining the
information collected on the basis of studies carried out and from other available sources.

Pending this proposal, the Commission cannot comment on the assumptions made by the two Spanish
experts.

(1) OJ B 172, 30.9.1966.

(2001/C 151 E/127)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3250/00

by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(20 October 2000)

Subject: The EU(cid:146)s cork policy

Following the end of the cork harvesting season which, every year, involves numerous workers in the
sector, such as woodcutters, gatherers, cleavers, transporters and weighers in the municipalities of Ronda
and Cortes de la Frontera (Malaga province, Spain), all those involved are concerned about their future in
the face of the possible emergence of a new material to replace cork.

C 151 E/114

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

22.5.2001

The laborious process which begins with the formation of cork in the cork-oak groves and ends with it
reaching the hands of the consumer takes in the axe of the cork-cutter and the factory in which the
season(cid:146)s harvest
the
Community(cid:146)s policy for the sector must be reformed, to ensure their survival and a secure future.

the workers involved in the production process believe that

is processed. All

Can the Commission state whether the Community(cid:146)s cork policy will be reformed in such a way as to
ensure a secure future and whether, each year as has been the case up till now, the Community(cid:146)s cork-
producing areas such as that in Malaga province will be able to go on harvesting cork in their time-
honoured fashion?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(20 November 2000)

The Commission has taken note of the cork sector(cid:146)s current circumstances and future problems, and the
concern which those working in it feel. Cork policy is covered by the forestry strategy (1), which provides
for promoting the development of all the forestry sector(cid:146)s components (including the cork oak) and
improving sustainable management.

Specific measures to assist the cork sector are included in the rural development plans drawn up under
Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural development from the
European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and amending and repealing certain
Regulations (2). Various specific measures may be taken in accordance with Article 30:
investment to
improve and rationalise harvesting, processing and marketing; and particularly measures which address the
concern expressed about the sector(cid:146)s future by promoting new outlets.

Projects may be submitted in relation to these various aspects. Support is also provided to professional
organisations so that they can expand or maintain their activities in the sector, particularly regarding the
processes to which the Honourable Member refers (such as bark-stripping).

The Advisory Committee on Forestry and Cork brings together trade and associated interests to exchange
information and views.

The Commission recently defined the measures provided for, which cover the forestry sector including
cork. They can be adjusted and given practical shape according to the sector(cid:146)s needs. It is therefore not
necessary to consider revising Community policy, since improvements can be made on the basis of
proposals which the trade puts forward within the existing framework.

(1) COM(98) 649 final.
(2) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.

(2001/C 151 E/128)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3251/00

by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Community penalties for dumping of oil at sea

(20 October 2000)

The disastrous aftermath of the dumping of oil into the sea from a tanker has proved a full-scale ecological
and economic catastrophe for the Spanish Costa del Sol and its tourist industry.

The irresponsible attitude of tanker owners who practise dumping off the coasts of the Union(cid:146)s tourist
regions without considering the damage caused should be punished with particular severity by the EU
authorities, in order to protect both our beaches(cid:146) ecosystems and the economic interests of those tourist
regions, especially during the summer high season.