MEPs approve fresh €40 million for banana producers in the EU outermost regions

6-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Banana growers in the EU’s outermost regions will get a one-off payment of up to €40 million in financial 2013 to offset their lack of competitiveness and changing EU market conditions. MEPs approved on Tuesday the informal deal, struck by Parliament and Council negotiators in November 2012.

The extra one-off EU payment of €40 million in financial 2013 will help banana growers in the outermost regions to compete with third country rivals on the EU market. This sum breaks down as follows: €18.52 million for the French overseas departments, €1.24 million for the Azores and Madeira and €20.24 million for the Canary Islands.

The updated rules, already provisionally agreed with the Council, will also maintain the financial allocation for specific measures in the EU outermost regions and smaller Aegean islands to mitigate farming and marketing difficulties due to their extreme remoteness.

“This agreement shows that the outermost regions remain at the heart of our policy even though most EU countries are cutting their budgets. The €40 million will offset the effects of the latest EU tariff reductions on imports from third countries. We also managed to maintain funding at current levels” said Parliament’s rapporteur for the new outermost regions regulation, Gabriel Mato Adrover (EPP, ES). The legislative resolution was approved by 579 votes to 82, with 35 abstentions.

“Citizens in remote areas of the EU do need “more Europe”. By supporting farming in the Aegean Islands, the EU contributes to the economic survival of their inhabitants, boosts their local agricultural production and helps to preserve their agricultural heritage”, said Parliament’s rapporteur for the new regulation on smaller Aegean islands, Georgios Papastamkos (EPP, EL). The legislative resolution was approved by 600 votes to 38, with 50 abstentions.

Annual EU aid ceiling unchanged

The annual ceiling on EU aid to the outermost regions will remain at €653.04 million. This means €278.41 million for the French overseas departments of France, €106.21 million for the Azores and Madeira and €268.42 million for Canary Islands. The overall yearly amount for Aegean islands will also remain the same as in previous years, at €23.93 million.

Assess likely impact of draft EU trade deals

In future, the likely impact on the outermost regions of the EU’s farm produce trade deals with third countries should be assessed before they are concluded so as “to ensure that they do not hit European farmers”, Mr Mato said. Furthermore, all products imported from third countries under these deals must meet the same veterinary and plant health standards as those produced in the EU, MEPs add.

Next steps

The updated rules must still be formally approved by the Council. They will enter into force one day after their publication in the EU Official Journal.

Procedure:  Co-decision (Ordinary Legislative Procedure), 1st reading agreement

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