WRITTEN QUESTION E-0699/04 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Preserves and olive oil.
Date: 2004-03-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: agricultural production policy, cannery, competitiveness, economic consequence, olive oil, preserved product, production refund

C 84 E/848

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

In our proposal for a new common market organisation for olive oil and table olives we include provisions
whereby, in the exceptional event of extremely high prices in the Community, it would be possible, in
order to allow the market to be adequately supplied, for customs duties to be suspended fully or in part or
a reduced rate import quota opened. Given the proportion of the world total that Community production
accounts for, the need to use these provisions would rarely occur.

(2004/C 84 E/0942)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0699/04

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

(9 March 2004)

Subject: Preserves and olive oil

The Community’s Mediterranean countries are the world’s largest olive oil producers. This sensitive
product, one of the Mediterranean area’s major agricultural crops, is used for a considerable range of
preserved, semi-preserved and prepared fish and seafood, either as the liquid in which these products are
preserved, or as an ingredient, since it has significant nutritional qualities, and on foreign markets, has
become a synonym for quality and healthy eating.

1.
The elimination of reimbursements for olive oil used in producing preserves will considerably
increase production costs for preserved, semi-preserved and other prepared fish and seafood. Has the
Commission actually quantified the prejudice and losses which this kind of measure will cause? If so, what
are the figures?

2. What mechanisms has the Commission provided for in order to ensure that the possible elimination
of these reimbursements does not mean a loss of competitiveness, production, jobs and immediate market
share on the part of the Community preserves industry?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(5 April 2004)

As the Honourable Member himself indicates, foods using olive oil are increasingly valued by consumers
for their nutritional and organoleptic properties and have now become a symbol of quality and healthy
eating. The promotional campaigns mounted by the Community for many years have undoubtedly boosted
this positive perception of olive oil.

Under present circumstances, with foods using olive oil in great demand by an increasing number of
consumers ready to pay a higher price for them, granting a refund is no longer justified. The image of
these products is now such that we consider that withdrawal of the aid will result in no reduction of sales
and hence have no impact on Community manufacturers.

(2004/C 84 E/0943)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0701/04

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(9 March 2004)

Subject: Use of the appellations ‘vintage’ and ‘tawny’ by third countries

The EU Wine Management Committee decided on 10 February 2004 to authorise the use of specific
traditional appellations of wines produced at Community level by third countries such as South Africa or
Australia, whenever the wine produced met a certain series of restricted conditions in accordance to those
obtaining in the Member States. This decision was taken against the votes of the producer countries like
Portugal, and according to the Portuguese press, was adopted the Commission on 23 February.