Cumulative effects of trade agreements on the rice sector

11.4.2018

Question for written answer E-002074-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Esther Herranz García (PPE) , Esteban González Pons (PPE) , Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso (PPE) , Gabriel Mato (PPE) , Teresa Jiménez-Becerril Barrio (PPE)

Imports of white and semi-white Indica rice from Cambodia have increased by 40% since 2009, as a result of the duty-free ‘Everything But Arms’ import regime that this country benefits from within the framework of the EU’s Generalised System of Preferences.

Increasing imports from Asian countries, including Myanmar, have caused many of our farmers to shift their production towards the Japonica variety. We have learned that, in free trade negotiations with Mercosur, the Commission intends to offer this block of countries a quota of 45 000 tonnes of this type of rice duty-free.

The rice market in Italy is already showing symptoms of collapse and there are indications that the same might happen in other European countries.

1. Does the Commission not think that the effect of the ‘Everything But Arms’ agreement and the planned agreement with Mercosur could create a cumulative effect that leaves the European rice sector without any alternatives and thus unable to remain competitive?

2. Has the Commission carried out impact studies on the cumulative effects that different trade agreements may have on the rice sector?