WRITTEN QUESTION E-1627/01 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Programme of aid for the conversion of tobacco production.
Date: 2001-06-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, redevelopment aid, tobacco industry

11.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 350 E/203

(2001/C 350 E/221)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1627/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Programme of aid for the conversion of tobacco production

(12 June 2001)

Tobacco producers in several Greek regions are facing serious problems arising from EU policy on aid for
tobacco production, in particular for varieties which are considered to be of low quality and low market
value. A typical example is provided by regions in southern Etoloacarnania, where the Mavra and
Tsembelia varieties are grown, production of which is to cease in the coming years in accordance with
European Union plans.

Faced with constant falls in their incomes, tobacco producers in these regions are unable to convert to
other crops without appropriate aid. As a result, these areas are gradually becoming depopulated as young
people in particular are leaving, whilst workers in the tobacco processing sector are also being affected and
their jobs are under threat.

Aid should cover projects designed to tackle the insufficient availability or lack of water for irrigation,
measures to cut the costs of irrigation, the provision of technology and the development of research into
new substitute crops,
the creation of commercial structures for new products to replace tobacco,
a minimum but adequate level of funding, etc. Such aid cannot be effective if it is restricted to measures
under the third CSF or agricultural development programmes (young farmers, compensatory payments,
etc.) and the common organisation of the market for tobacco (buying back of quotas).

Given that the Commission has adopted and financed specific programmes for sectors in crisis and
requiring restructuring in the past (Retex and Rechar), can it say whether it will look into the possibility of
adopting and financing a specific programme (perhaps to be named Retob) which would make it possible,
through infrastructure projects and training measures,
to restructure production in tobacco-growing
regions which are facing problems and to provide aid for tobacco producers and for workers in the
tobacco industry?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(19 July 2001)

The Commission does not intend proposing or implementing any specific programme of the sort alluded
to by the Honourable Member.

It regards the instruments available for rural development as adequate for responding to the tobacco
sector(cid:146)s problems in Greece. It is for the national and regional authorities to utilise the resources allocated
under the 2000-2006 programming for encouraging production diversification and integrated rural
development by fostering multiple-jobholding in country areas and to concentrate them on the sector(cid:146)s
weak points in rural areas most dependent on tobacco-growing.

(2001/C 350 E/222)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1630/01

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(12 June 2001)

Subject: White Paper on European Governance

Would the Commission provide a timetable, and explain the unacceptable delay, for the publication of
a Communication on future consultation with civil society, as referred to in the Plan of Action on the
implementation of the EU(cid:146)s development co-operation policy?

How does the Commission intend to ensure that civil society will be consulted in full about this
Communication?