Extension of the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2016/605 of 19 April 2016

15.6.2018

Question for written answer E-003243-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Raffaele Fitto (ECR) , Remo Sernagiotto (ECR)

The Tunisian Government has sent the EU a request to extend for a further two years Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/605 adopted on 19 April 2016.

It is an aid scheme which was not fully utilised in 2016-2017, but which, according to the relevant trade associations, has resulted in the doubling of the amount of Tunisian olive oil exported to the EU in the first few months of 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017.

Given that the European olive oil sector, notably in Italy, has been suffering from low yields, also due to the impact of Xylella fastidiosa, and that this would be an extension of exceptional measures, can the Commission answer the following questions:

• 1.Does it not agree that any extension would not, technically, be possible since it would be in breach of the principle of ‘exceptionality’?
• 2.Were any new, independent political decision to be taken, based on different grounds, will the Commission first carry out a fresh, more in-depth impact assessment showing the effects the possible new measures will have on the internal market and on the price of the olive oil produced in our Member States?
• 3.Does it not think it would be helpful to organise a technical round table with the main trade associations before launching any discussions?