Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-05-10-Speech-2-374"
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"en.20050510.29.2-374"2
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".
Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the issue of quotas for the production of potato starch seems at first glance a simple and straightforward one. It seems that we are discussing here only numbers, percentage or ratios. However, behind those numbers there are real people, members of their families and their lives.
I will try to give a short explanation. Lithuania, the country where I have been elected, has a quota that is ten times less than the country is capable of producing. As has been mentioned, there are two factories producing potato starch in Lithuania – both in rural areas. I would emphasise – in rural areas. Lithuania has an old tradition in the cultivation of potatoes; this culture yields well in our country. The capacity of the factories amounts to 13 000 tonnes per year. The economy of Lithuania, the fastest growing economy in the European Union, demands more and more of this product, that is, this product is necessary for Lithuania for its own needs; however, the production quota, which is only 1 200 tonnes per year, does not allow for Lithuanian factories to employ their capacity in at least a minimal, economically justified regime. Perhaps you fully understand what effectiveness of production this means, when factories are forced to use only 9% of their capacity. The present situation, that is, the production quota, forces businessmen to close those factories in rural areas. The people working and living there will lose their jobs. Moreover, the infrastructure of those two towns is related to the aforementioned factories – heating, water supply, etc. Thus, the closure of the factories will have very serious social consequences. The situation is even more irregular, since other Member States have much larger production quotas than they are capable of producing or consuming. So we get to the point that Lithuania is capable of producing, capable of consuming its own production, but the country is not allowed to produce; it is forced to close the factories. I think this is not fair and not in any way relevant to the main principles of the European Union.
I understand that the issue of quotas is a very sensitive one; however, I am talking not about additional benefit, but only about the possibility to survive. The Ministry of Agriculture of Lithuania presented its arguments in detail to the Commission, but the Commission did not see the necessity to take them into account. Well, perhaps one can understand the Commission – the issue of quotas is really awkward. Maybe the Commission can behave that way since it is more distant from the people. But the European Parliament and the Members of the European Parliament must treat the peoples´ problems in a more sensitive and deep way, and not turn away from them, but take real decisions. One may say that these quotas have been agreed to. Yes, but this is bad, and they are not a ‘sacred cow’ that cannot be touched. If we see the problem, we have to take responsibility to solve it. We talk a lot and seriously about rural development and support to rural areas. We accommodate large funds for that; therefore, it will look unjustifiable if we destroy something that can effectively work, but then create something that would require more funds. Is this an effective and rational way? So, I think that the suggested compromise to allow redestribution of the unused quotas is a positive step, and it will enable the Member States and the Commission to find the solution concerning this matter. I would like to thank the speaker, Mr Wojciechowski, for his determination and the work done. I hope that the colleagues will support the report prepared by Mr Wojciechowski and approved and revised by the Committee on Agriculture."@en1
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