WRITTEN QUESTION E-1447/02 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Future of milk quotas.
Date: 2002-05-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: agricultural quota, aid system, guaranteed price, milk, regulation of agricultural production

14.11.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 277 E/207

This decision was taken following many findings of fishery products contaminated with prohibited drugs
such as chloramphenicol and following an inspection mission of the Food and Veterinary Office in China
from 8 to 22 November 2001. This inspection visit revealed a regrettable non-observance of
the
commitments and guarantees provided to the Commission as regards the control of residues and
substances which present a risk to human and animal health.

This safeguard measure aimed at protecting public health is temporary and will be reviewed when the
Chinese authorities provide guarantees that the products exported to the Community meet Community
sanitary requirements. So far some progress has been made and Commission experts recently visited China
to discuss and evaluate the new measures put in place by the Chinese authorities.

All crustaceans were first included in the ban due to a possible confusion between wild and aquaculture
products, the latter being suspected of contamination. A first amendment to the Decision has already been
adopted by the Commission on 10 June 2002 (1) allowing the importation of low risk products such as
shrimps caught by Chinese vessels in the Atlantic Ocean and landed direct in Community ports. A second
amendment extending the list of fish species which may be imported has just been given a favourable
opinion by the Standing Committee responsible in this area, and will be adopted by the Commission once
the normal procedure has been completed.

(1) OJ L 151, 11.6.2002.

(2002/C 277 E/227)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1447/02

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(23 May 2002)

Subject: Future of milk quotas

There is concern in the dairy sector about the possible dismantling of the milk quota system, which
guarantees producers adequate prices. The system’s disappearance could lead to a major fall in prices and
therefore in producers’ incomes.

Has the Commission carried out any study of the impact on the Community market which the

1.
abolition of the quota system might have?

2.

If not, does it intend to assess the consequences of such a step in the near future?

Has the Commission investigated what the real cost-benefit relationship of abolishing the quota

3.
system would be?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 June 2002)

Article 3 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1256/1999 of 17 May 1999 amending Regulation (EEC) No 3950/
92 establishing an additional levy in the milk and milk products sector (1), which adjusts the milk quota
arrangements laid down in Council Regulation (EEC) No 3950/92 of 28 December 1992 (2), states: ‘The
Council undertakes to conduct a mid-term review in 2003, on the basis of a Commission report, with the
aim of allowing the present quota arrangements to run out after 2006.’

With a view to drafting this report, several scenarios are currently being examined. The outcome of this
analysis will be set before Parliament and the Council in the Mid-Term Review planned for July 2002.

(1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.
(2) OJ L 405, 31.12.1992.