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Parliamentary question - E-006085/2016Parliamentary question
E-006085/2016

Union of Viticultural Cooperatives of Samos ‘exclusive operation’ to be abolished

Question for written answer E-006085-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Konstantinos Papadakis (NI)

The exclusive operation of the Union of Viticultural Cooperatives of Samos (EOSS), which includes 3 000 wine growers and reputable wines, was guaranteed, and prevented the existence of private wineries on the island. The SYRIZA-ANEL administration has passed a law which abolishes the ‘mandatory regime’ of cooperatives, which is the last resort available to producers to protect themselves from the unaccountability of commercial industrialists. The EOSS complains that the Commission has repeatedly intervened and has threatened to take the case to the ECJ to have the mandatory operation regime lifted.

The new law, which — on the basis of the CAP — also further strengthens the strategy of monopolies in agriculture, fully applies the common organisation of the wine and vine market (2006 regulation on the wine sector) with devastating consequences (subsidised grubbing up, a steep drop of 60% in producer prices over the past 10 years).

Owing to the fierce competition amongst themselves and with private wine producers, the new cooperatives will mercilessly take advantage of wine growers, with low prices and uncertain payments, driving salaries down and reducing labour rights.

At the same time, along with all other poor farmers in Greece, wine growers in Samos are facing an anti-farming policy — as are farmers elsewhere in the EU — and the sharp rise in taxes imposed by the SYRIZA-ANEL administration.

What is the Commission’s position on the abolition of the exclusive operation of the EOSS and on the above policy which is wiping out small and medium-sized farmers?