Imports of preserved mushrooms from China

27.11.2003

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3661/03
by Konrad Schwaiger (PPE-DE) and Karl von Wogau (PPE-DE)
to the Commission

Under Regulation (EC) No 2125/95[1], the customs quota for imports of preserved mushrooms from China was fixed as 22 750 tonnes annually. The quota had been at that level for a number of years previously, and it was not raised on the accession of the new German länder, despite the addition of nearly 16 million new consumers to the single market. Nor was it raised in response to the accessions by Sweden, Finland and Austria. This means that the quantity of imported product available for marketing to a larger number of consumers has remained unchanged. Business opportunities for importers from the hitherto existing Community countries have thereby been reduced.

 

1. Does the Commission agree that, in response to the forthcoming inclusion of ten new Member countries that have hitherto covered a significant part of their needs by importing primarily from China, it will be necessary for the quota to be raised accordingly?

 

2. Does the Commission agree that when the quota is raised, an adjustment should also be granted to make good the failure to raise the quota in response to German reunification and the accessions by Sweden, Finland and Austria?

 

 

• [1]  OJ L 212, 7.9.1995, p. 16.