Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2006-12-11-Speech-1-186"
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"en.20061211.18.1-186"2
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"Mr President, first of all I should like to thank Members for their efforts to speed up the discussion on this banana proposal, and express special thanks to Mr Fruteau, who delivered an excellent report within a very tight time frame.
I am convinced that we all have an interest in approving the banana proposal before the end of the year, to give the producers a clear framework within which to operate in the future and also, of course, to achieve budget stability; but also to reassure the banana producing regions that they can count on the tangible solidarity of the European Union.
Bananas are very important for the social and economic viability of our outermost regions. They provide revenue to more than 15 000 holdings and jobs to some 24 000 farmers. Those regions face very specific handicaps and the Treaty itself grants them a specific status, in Article 299. They are, in all respects, part of the European Union and have every right to enjoy the benefits of European Union policy. The banana reform is the practical expression of our commitment to confirm solidarity within the Union. I am very happy that the European Parliament agrees with the Commission on the need to reform the current banana aid scheme and to try to bring it into line with our common agricultural policy.
A crucial consideration is the budgetary unpredictability of the current expenditures within the banana sector. I am delighted that the European Parliament agrees on the very substance of the proposal, namely, the choice of the POSEI solution, which represents quite a number of different advantages. First of all, it is consistent with the CAP reform; it is a very flexible tool for Member States and for the regions in question; it permits Member States to give additional financing; and, last but not least, it gives predictability from a financial point of view.
Another important point on which you agree with the Commission’s proposal regards the budget, which is based on the average support granted over the period 2000-2002, and a marginal assurance has been added to take into account the variability of the banana market. The recent change in the import arrangements and a possible agreement with banana-producing third countries have also been taken into account.
You have requested that the Commission should submit a specific report on POSEI in 2009, if the livelihoods of banana producers, in particular, were to deteriorate following a change in the external regime. As a matter of fact, our proposal already focuses on, or foresees, the submission of a report on the whole POSEI regime in 2009, and that will include the banana sector. Let us not forget that the banana sector represents more than 50% of the agricultural revenue in some producing regions.
It goes without saying that this report will be submitted sooner in the event of a deterioration of livelihood in the outermost regions. As concerns Crete, Cyprus and the Algarve, we should keep in mind that banana production involves less than 400 hectares and some 300 holdings overall. That hardly justifies a derogation from the general principle that allows farmers the freedom to choose their crops according to the market and the best advantage they can derive from their production.
I am looking forward to the discussion with you tonight. Again, thank you for being so quick in your action on this issue."@en1
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