title: REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL - THE TOMATO MARKET IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

text: COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Brussels, 10. 06. 1996 COM(96) 247 final REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL THE TOMATO MARKET TN THE EUROPEAN TJNTON EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM At the Council meeting on agriculture on 19 and 22 June 1995 and during discussion of the 1995/96 price package, the Council asked the Commission to present a report on the situation in the tomato sector in the European Union. The Commission is now in a position to send the Council this report, which was written on the basis of a survey carried out by the Commission in the Member States to compare and confirm existing information and gather information which it did not then have at its disposal. This report confines itself to an analysis of the market for fresh tomatoes and does not deal with tomatoes for processing. There have been difficulties on the tomato market in recent years, particularly for greenhouse tomatoes, which are faced with market reorganization resulting from the new situation which has pertained since 1993, when Spain's transitional accession period for this product ended. This report also analyses Community assistance to production and marketing structures, which does not seem to have had a significant impact on production trends. It also covers national aid schemes entirely financed by Member States and granted specifically to the tomato sector. One conclusion of the report is that natural market development should reestablish sufficient equilibrium without Community intervention. However, in the past the Commission has not objected to national aid to dismantle production potential, and such aid could be applied in the case of greenhouse production. I INTRODUCTION SUMMARY I. ANALYSIS OF THE COMMUNITY TOMATO MARKET 1. -The world market 2. -The European market 2. 1 relative importance of the tomato sector in horticulture 2. 2 Community production 2. 3 Situation and development of production structures consumption and marketing 2. 4 2. 5 Producer prices 3. -Trade trade within the EC imports to the EC 3. 1 3. 2 3. 3 Community exports II. COMMUNITY AID 1. 2. Structural aid National aid CONCLUSIONS ANNEXES: 1. Production regions: -Belgium -the Netherlands -Spain -France 2. Statistics 3. Structural annex V4 INTRODUCTION At the Council meeting on agriculture of 19 and 22 June 1995, and in the context of discussion of the 1995/96 price package, the Council asked the Commission to present a report on the situation in the tomato sector in the European Union. This report was written on the basis of a survey carried out by the Commission in the Member States to compare and confirm existing information and gather information which it did not then have at its disposal. The period analysed covers the five years from 1990 to 1994. This period includes three marketing years during which Spain was still subject to the transitional accession rules for this product, and therefore subject to offer prices, and two marketing years, 1993 and 1994, during which Spain only retained a statistical system for monitoring consignments (supplementary trade mechanism). This report confines itself to an analysis of the market for fresh tomatoes and does not deal with tomatoes for processing, which are considered to be a different product as regards both production and marketing conditions. SUMMARY The tomato has increasingly become a staple vegetable in the European diet. It occupies an important place in the Community's agricultural economy (14. 7% of the total volume of vegetables). It accounts for ECU 9. 4 million of the Community budget, which are used for Community intervention on the market. Since 1990, Community production and the area planted with tomatoes have been falling. Yields, on the other hand, have been increasing at a remarkable pace because of developments in growing techniques. The trend in future will be towards more specialised production and a reduced number of enterprises. The increase in consumption that started in 1990 seems to have reached a plateau. Nevertheless, the trend in consumption is towards variety and quality, with demand for new types and varieties, with a more "open air" flavour. Adapting production to this new demand appears to be one of the ways in which production in the northern countries can be made more dynamic and better face the strong competition of the southern countries. Major seasonal fluctuations continue to be a key feature of this sector. Overall the price trend on wholesale markets is falling; however, there was a relative increase in rates for 1994. Although definitive figures are not available, it seems that prices have again fallen in 1995, in particular for greenhouse tomatoes produced in the north of the Community. This fall is due primarily to a fall in prices for the "traditional round" tomato, whereas for new "high value-added" varieties (tomatoes on the stalk and cherry tomatoes), producer prices are very attractive. The volume of production of these new varieties is rising. There is no indication that the fluctuations in value of certain weak currencies have any significant impact on the price of tomatoes coming from countries where devaluation has taken place (Spain, in particular). Community assistance, which has fallen overall since 1990, has been used only as a safety net for the market and in no instance as a source of income, since very little recourse has been taken to that option (1. 6% on average). Community trade has increased by 27% since 1990. This is mainly as a result of the increase in Spanish consignments. The restructuring of production calendars is at the root of certain seasonal difficulties experienced by the sector between the northern and southern regions. Until 1994, the winter period (January, February, March) was almost entirely covered by Spanish (including the Canaries) and Moroccan production, while summer corresponded to the production season of the northern Member States ( Belgium, the Netherlands and, to some extent, France). When the transitional accession period finished for Spain in 1993, restrictions on that country's prices also stopped, and the Spaniards now have full rights to sell their products to other countries during the so-called sensitive months (April, May and June), which has led to substantial overlapping with marketing of northern tomatoes. On the other hand, greenhouse producers are trying to secure part of the "winter market" using new cultivation techniques and high value-added varieties which require major investments. Imports from third countries, in particular Morocco, are sold principally on the French market. These imports do not seem to be disturbing the market. Moreover, since 1995 they have taken place in the context of the bilateral agreement with Morocco. Community aid for production and marketing structures does not seem to be having a significant effect on production trends. These have been much more influenced by normal market fluctuations, and in particular changing trends in intra- Community trade. On the other hand, the Commission does not have information on aid schemes entirely financed by Member States and specifically granted to the tomato sector. In the overall context of national aid, the sector has benefited from general aid schemes for agriculture and regional development. 1. THE WORLD MARKET World production of tomatoes is 18% of the volume of world vegetable production. According to FAO figures, world tomato production (including tomatoes for processing) rose from 50 million tonnes in 1990 to 74. 3 million tonnes in 1993. International trade in fresh tomatoes accounts for less than 4% of world production, while tomatoes for processing account for about 30%. The low volume of exports of tomatoes for consumption unprocessed shows that the bulk of tomatoes produced in the world are intended for consumption on domestic markets. Indeed, certain characteristics of tomatoes mean that they are not very well adapted to international trade: they are very perishable and the production periods in importing and exporting countries overlap, while prices vary greatly according to season. The main producers are the European Union, the United States, the former Soviet Union, China and Turkey. The European Union is the leading producer, accounting for 13. 4 million tonnes, of which 6. 9 million, or 48. 5% of total production, are for sale on the fresh tomatoes market. 1 Trade in fresh tomatoes is highly developed in Europe, which also contains the world's biggest exporters, namely the Netherlands, Spain and Belgium, and its biggest importers, namely Germany, France and the United Kingdom. 2. THE COMMUNITY MARKET 2. 1. Importance of the tomato sector in horticulture Fresh tomatoes are an important product in the horticultural sector. The fact that they are consumed by Europeans throughout the year means that they can be considered a "staple vegetable". They account for 14. 7% of all vegetables produced in the Union. On average, 13% of the Union's horticultural area is devoted to tomatoes. 1 for the period 1990 to 1994. The average cost to the Community budget is ECU 9. 4 million2 for market intervention measures, accounting for 1. 2% of the budget for the fresh fruit and vegetables sector. The quantities withdrawn from the market have fallen overall since 1990 and on average make up 1. 6 % of tomatoes produced for eating fresh from 1990 to 1994 Over that period, France withdrew 3% of its production, followed by the Netherlands (2. 8%) and Italy (2. 6%). 2. 2. Community production On average, 48. 5% of Community tomato production is for consumption unprocessed. Italy (29. 8%) leads among Europe's fresh tomato producers, followed by Spain (27. 4%), Greece (10%) and the Netherlands ( 9%). Until 1990 production was increasing, but it then fell from 7 million tonnes that year to 6. 3 million tonnes in 1994. Production fell substantially from the 1993 marketing year, in particular in Spain, Italy and the Netherlands. On the other hand, in Belgium and Greece production has increased since 1990. Table 1: Tomato production trends (tonnes) 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 Belgium 205030 225 220 268 400 313960 329 500 346 779 309 334 Greece Spain France Italy 666910 728 050 665790 710700 754 940 784 850 757 250 1 834 893 1 987 763 2 024 695 1 793832 1 880143 1 912 300 1 786 807 417500 421 700 461 100 527 300 516 900 643 400 492 600 1 594 916 2 018 230 2 657 083 2 759 091 2 712 099 1 984 572 2 149 074 Netherlands 567 029 620 782 640 725 636149 651 994 606 612 540 577 Portugal 63 893 80 835 86 706 72 625 64 267 n. a. 75 000 EUR-15 5. 530. 068 6. 265. 710 6. 987. 534 6. 993. 597 7. 098. 801 6. 651. 347 6. 262. 412 2average for the years 1990 to 1994. In 1994 the cost to the budget was ECU 4. 46 million, or 0. 5 % of the budget for the fresh fruit and vegetables sector. Table 2: Trends in production as a proportion of total EUR production (%) 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 Belgium Greece Spain France Italy Netherlands 3. 7 12 33 7. 5 28. 7 10. 2 3. 6 11. 5 31. 4 6. 7 31. 9 9. 8 3. 8 9. 4 28. 7 6. 5 37. 7 9. 1 4. 5 10. 1 25. 4 7. 5 39. 1 9 4. 6 10. 5 26. 3 7. 2 37. 9 9. 1 5. 2 11. 7 28. 5 9. 6 29. 6 9 4. 9 12 28. 2 7. 8 33. 9 8. 5 2. 3. Situation and development of production structures Open-air cultivation is practised in the southern countries, in particular in Italy, Spain, Greece, the south of France and Portugal. Growing under plastic is a recent variation on open-air production, consisting in protecting the crops under plastic tunnels. These are used principally to protect the crops from wind and optimise production quality. Greenhouse cultivation is practised in the northern countries, in particular in the Netherlands, Belgium and part of France. This type of cultivation allows crops to be kept warm artificially during the coldest periods. The total Community area devoted to tomato production has been falling since 1990 (from 255 000 ha in 1990 to 217 000 ha in 1994). This reduction is partly the result of a fall in the area used for traditional "open air" production in the southern countries, and coincides with an increase in yields and the introduction of new varieties. The largest area devoted to tomato growing is in Italy, which accounts for 50. 6% of the total area, followed by Spain with 25. 5% and Greece with 14. 9%. The total area devoted to production under cover in the Community accounts for only 9% of the total area used for fresh tomato production. In Belgium and the Netherlands, all production area is under glass. That area has been falling steadily in the Netherlands since 1990, while in Belgium it has increased slightly. In Spain 16. 6% of total production area is under cover, in Italy 5. 3% and in France 60%. The overall area fell by around 17. 7% from 1990 to 1994. The decrease was greatest in France (-38. 9%), followed by the Netherlands (-29. 2%), Greece (-20%) and Spain (-13. 4%). 10 Table 3: Trends in area devoted to tomato production (hectares) 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994- Belgium 940 945 963 946 954 Greece Spain France Italy 38 513 39 015 36 657 33 110 32 083 69 884 59 913 55 802 57 111 61 613 6 600 6 650 5 960 6 060 4 750 136 378 129 669 117 595 113 426 115 248 Netherlands 1 603 1 570 1 505. 1 390 1 241 The different production techniques practised lead to enormous differences in yield between each type of holding. The tables below show the difference between "open-air" yields - 50 tonnes/ hectare - and "greenhouse" yields - 400 tonnes/hectare. Overall, between 1990 and 1994 yields increased by 2% per year for both types of production. These major increases in yield are the result principally of improved understanding of growing techniques, new, more productive varieties now on the market and new technologies that have come into use for crops under cover. Table 4: Trends in tomato yields (tonnes/ha) Belgium Greece Spain France Italy 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 238. 8 246. 1 285. 5 332. 2 342. 2 366. 6 324. 2 45. 5 42. 8 108. 2 41 53. 2 44. 9 113 45. 5 45. 6 45. 2 48. 4 44. 5 51. 2 47. 4 52. 4 49. 1 119. 3 127. 7 128. 2 145. 4 45. 7 47. 7 50. 5 48. 4 52. 6 49. 8 162 50. 4 Netherlands 330. 6 368 399. 7 405. 2 433. 2 436. 4 435. 6 2. 4. Consumption and marketing According to the information supplied by the Member States, consumption has increased since 1990. However, this trend is not necessarily indicative for the future, for which tomato farmers tend to predict a levelling off of consumption. 11 The average per-capita consumption of fresh tomatoes in the European Union is 24. 6 kg3. This is far below the per-capita consumption level of 31 kg recorded for the OECD countries. Greece is the biggest consumer of fresh tomatoes, followed by Italy and Spain. It should, however, be noted that fresh tomato consumption fell sharply in Spain in 1994. The above table also shows that consumption is not uniform across the Community, quite the contrary. The differences between Member States are considerable. There is a ratio of 1:15 between the lowest and the highest Member State consumption levels. There is a fairly marked growth in consumer preference for new varieties such as tomatoes on the stalk, cherry tomatoes or varieties with the most "open-air" flavours. As a rule, Member States with high production levels also have high consumption levels, but the latter remain more or less constant. Member State Belgium Denmark Germany Greece Spain France Ireland Italy Luxembourg Netherlands Portugal United Kingdom Austria Finland Sweden Table 5: Consumption of fresh tomatoes (kg per capita) 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 10. 9 5. 9 13. 9 66. 0 37. 0 10. 0 6. 0 59. 4 / 6. 1 / 6. 4 / 8. 3 1 9. 5 / 14. 8 72. 0 40. 8 10. 3 6. 0 62. 1 / 6. 2 / 6. 6 / 8. 5 / 11. 8 5. 5 15. 4 65. 0 43. 6 10. 4 6. 0 64. 4 / 6. 5 / 6. 4 / 9. 1 / 14. 0 / 15. 3 69. 0 37. 2 10. 6 6. 0 63. 3 / 6. 7 / 5. 9 / 8. 7 / 11. 7 / 15. 7 73. 0 36. 5 / 6. 0 57. 6 / 6. 6 / 6. 0 / 9. 0 / 13. 5 5. 0 16. 0 76. 0 35. 3 / / 57. 1 / 6. 7 / 4. 5 / 9. 0 'I 1994 / / 14. 1 73. 0 28. 3 / / 55. 6 / 6. 0 / 5. 5 / 9. 7 ' Different varieties of tomatoes are used to satisfy demand from European consumers, who are increasingly seeking a wide range of differentiated products. This means that producers have to work harder to adapt to this segmentation of the market by growing new varieties. average for 1990 to 1994. 12 Over recent years the number of varieties has increased, and includes the "cherry" tomato and tomatoes on the stalk which have been very successful because of their flavour and the visible evidence that they are fresh. The production of tomatoes to be consumed fresh, as opposed to production for processing, is spread over the entire year, which has been made possible by new production techniques and new varieties of tomato. 2. 5 Producer prices The most striking feature of prices for fresh tomatoes is their variation according to season. Producer prices vary greatly according to the month of production and the Member State in which the tomatoes are produced. As a rule, prices are higher in winter than from May to November and remain at stable levels throughout the winter. Overall, prices for fresh tomatoes fell from 1990 to 1994, when they recovered slightly. In the 1991 marketing year, prices rose above 1990 levels. However, they fell in Spain, Italy and Portugal. In this year production, the area planted with tomatoes and yield also rose overall. The 1992 marketing year was the first in which prices fell. They did so most sharply in Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. In 1993 the downward price trend continued. Production fell despite an increase in the area planted. In 1994 prices were up on the preceding year. The rise was particularly marked in the Netherlands and France, where prices recovered very well, even going beyond 1990 levels. In Italy, Belgium and Portugal, on the other hand, prices recovered slightly without reaching 1990 rates. In Spain and the United Kingdom, price quotations remained at very low levels. 13 Table 6 on price trends by month shows a deviation from the main trend, whereby for Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium May and June prices have risen since 1990, while March and April prices have fallen. However, in 1994, March and April prices recovered substantially. Table 6: Development of monthly prices in relation to 1990 I. Spain 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 March April May June 2. Netherlands 100 100 100 100 44 79 189 133 64 72 160 101 70 116 181 105 March April May June 3. Belgium March April May June 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 100 100 100 100 77 110 94 159 68 79 126 123 53 74 96 109 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 100 100 100 100 73 106 92 128 67 85 130 110 59 77 101 96 88 95 132 146 77 91 104 148 78 86 99 123 Source: Drawn up by DG VI using figures from the Ministry of Agriculture (Spain), the CBT and the VBT. Producers in the North complained of falls in prices in 1995 which made businesses unprofitable. This situation appears to have affected all greenhouse production, and is therefore not exclusively associated with the tomato sector. An illustration of this problem is provided by the following figures for traditional round tomatoes in Belgium: costs (investments, production and labour): 1 400 to 1 500 BFR/m2. Normal yield is around 55 kg/m2, a high yield around 60 kg/m2; this means that in order to obtain a financial result sufficient to cover costs, a price level of at least 23 BFR/kg must be reached (1 400 BFR costs and 60 kg production) for the very good enterprises. The average price in Belgium was apparently 20 BFR/kg for 1995. 4 4Figures provided by the Member State. 14 "Belgian" tomatoes are in competition with "Spanish" tomatoes, which load price trends on the French market (55% of Belgian exports). An examination of Spanish prices in pesetas shows that there have been major changes, independently of monetary problems. In terms of trends, the regression line from January 1992 to April 1995 shows that developments in peseta prices run almost parallel to currency devaluations. On average over 40 months, the ecu/Pta rate increased fairly steadily by a total of 32%, while prices in pesetas increased, with major variations, by 51 %. This means that the price of Spanish tomatoes in ecus increased by around 14% over that period. There is, therefore, no indication that devaluations of the peseta have had an impact on the price in ecus, or, therefore in Belgian francs, of Spanish tomatoes. Spanish tomatoes Influence of monetary changes on prices • 1ecu=. PTA <• Prix Pte/Kg 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 89 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 89 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 89 10 11 12 1 2 34 January 1992/ April 1995 15 3. ANALYSIS QF TRADÇ 3. 1 Trade within the Community Community trade (including the Canaries) has increased in volume by 27% since 1990. The volume of trade is 1. 3 million tonnes, or 2 1% of total production. Spain accounted for the bulk of intra-Community trade in 1994, with 618 000 tonnes of consignments (of which 306 000 came from the Canaries); it should also be noted that this country has doubled its consignments since 1990. The runners-up were the Netherlands with 410 000 tonnes and Belgium with 160 800 tonnes5. The main Community markets receiving these consignments are in Germany, the United Kingdom and France. Consignments from the Netherlands and Belgium have fallen since 1990, particularly during the 1993 marketing year, after which there was a slight recovery in 1994. French and Italian consignments, on the other hand, maintained their levels, increased in 1993, and had a "record" year in 1994. Table 7: Volume of intra-Community trade (tonnes) 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 Spain 291. 885 331. 391 414. 630 433. 167 618. 426 Netherlands 545. 958 559. 175 545. 010 387. 053 409. 669 Belgium Italy France 154. 667 172. 437 187. 831 150. 403 160. 779 17. 196 31. 568 23. 884 43. 317 28. 883 46. 682 38. 832 46. 758 64. 655 62. 051 EUR-12 1. 238. 824 Source:Eurostat-Cronos. The figures for Spain include the Canaries 1. 051. 777 1. 142. 113 1. 068. 907 1. 332. 080 The increase in Spanish consignments is undoubtedly related to the end of the transitional period at the beginning of the 1993 marketing year and the accompanying removal of restrictions. The increase was consolidated in 1994, a year in which production and consumption fell in Spain. It may be concluded that for that year consignments to other countries were made at the cost of sales on the domestic market. Consignments from the mainland (Almeria and Murcia) also increased more than did those from the Canaries. 5Figures for 1994. 16 Market calendars Intra-Community consignments were traditionally made over two different periods: Between November and March (winter tomatoes), Spanish tomatoes coming from the Canaries and Murcia/Almeria. Between April and September (summer tomatoes), from the Netherlands and Belgium. During this period tomatoes produced in Spain went onto the domestic market. However, two recent trends have disrupted the traditional pattern: Firstly, consignments originating in Spain have increased in April, May and June (see table below), while the high volume in January, February and March has been maintained. This heralds a Spanish commercial strategy aimed at sharing the marketing season traditionally reserved for northern producers. Secondly, there has also been an opposite trend in consignments from the Netherlands: in 1994 consignments increased in January, February and March. By contrast, consignments in May and June have fallen. In Belgium, consignments have increased in April and May, but also in February and March. These changes show competition between "northern" consignments and those of Spanish origin during the winter season. Since 1993, the Community market has been in upheaval as regards traditional trade calendars. New marketing strategies are being established. In the Netherlands, for example, diversification has made it possible to put tomatoes on the stalk on the market in February. On the other hand, Spanish production potential is enabling certain regions to produce for 11 months out of 12. This has been one of the key problems on the tomato market in recent years. Natural market development should find a satisfactory balance without Community assistance being called for. Table 8: Development of trade calendars January February March 1992 1993 1994 1992 1993 1994 1992 1993 1994 Belgium 1170 527 1076 317 462 1862 869 2221 2182 Netherlands 22762 16510 22830 18125 14760 24694 27301 24878 36776 Spain 105219 76099 95013 50741 108644 97027 68795 89203 88256 17 April May June Belgium Netherlands Spain 1992 1993 1994 1992 1993 1994 1992 1993 1994 11478 15248 81333 23562 29100 26637 30050 34558 34204 46343 43828 43487 74566 72308 65076 93469 86330 77578 43801 39099 49114 8428 29671 50601 5078 11230 50601 3. 2 Trade outside the Community Imports The principal supplier is currently Morocco, which distributed 148 000 tonnes between November and March. The second largest supplier, with 4 000 tonnes in 1994, is Israel. The total volume of Community imports was 162 114 tonnes in 1994. Table 9: Community Imports 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 MOROCCO 106 319 135808 131920 164360 148 297 TURKEY ISRAEL TOTAL 3 014 7 217 - 3 230 5 707 - 3 926 5 033 1 820 3 860 2 829 4 073 152066 179572 162114 Morocco The area planted with tomatoes in Morocco has fallen since 1990 (from 5500 ha in 1990 to 4000 ha in 1994), with a shift towards protected crops. Production has remained stable overall, despite a fall in 1994. The principal destination of imports from Morocco is France, which in 1994 absorbed 85% of tomato imports from Morocco. Germany is the end market for 6. 4% of the total volume and Belgium and the Netherlands absorb 2% each of Moroccan imports. Spain and Italy take less than 400 tonnes each. Protocol No 1 to the association agreement concluded with Morocco provides for a fresh tomato quota of 150 676 tonnes benefiting from a zero acf valorem duty and, from October to March, from a preferential entry price. 18 The agreement has not yet been implemented as far as the reduction in ad valorem duty is concerned: imports continue to benefit from zero a£[ valorem duty under the old agreement, which is still in force, within the limit of a Community quota of 96 208 tonnes for 15 November 1995 to 30 April 1996, 16 800 tonnes of this during the period 1 to 30 April 1996. In addition, Morocco benefits from a bilateral French quota at zero ad valorem duty of 120 000 tonnes. When the new agreement finally enters into force, the Community quota at zero ad valorem duty will be 150 676 tonnes and the bilateral Franco- Moroccan quota will be abolished. The new quota will therefore be equivalent to the sum of the old Community quota, the bilateral quota taken over by the Community and the quantities allocated as a result of the enlargement by three new Member States. The provision relating to the annual increase in the quota in the old agreement has been retained: each year from 1 January 1997 to 1 January 2000 the quantity will be increased in four equal instalments amounting to 3% of the amount. Lastly, outside the quota the ad valorem duty will be reduced by 60%. The agreement has already been implemented where the preferential entry price is concerned: it was introduced on 1 November 1995 by Council Regulation (EC) No 3057/95 of 22 December 1995 (OJ No L 326). In the period 1 November 1995 to 30 March 1996 Morocco benefited from an entry price of ECU 500/t for a maximum quantity of 145 676 tonnes. The Common Customs Tariffs entry price, applicable to all other origins, was ECU 688/t from 1 November to 20 December 1995, ECU 738/t from 21 to 31 December 1995 and ECU 895/t from 1 January to 31 March 1996. In accordance with Article 3 of Protocol 1 to the association agreement with Morocco, for each period subsequent to 1 October to 31 March the country will benefit from the reduced entry price for a fixed maximum quantity of 150 676 tonnes. That quantity is staggered per month as follows: Periods October November to March of which: November December January February March Total: Quantities 5 000 145 676 18 601 36 170 30 749 33 091 27 065 150676 19 The entry price - ECU 500/t for 1995/96 - is reduced in the same proportions and at the same rate as the entry price consolidated under the WTO. Tolerances - 20% monthly overrun and the ability to catch up on 20% of monthly quantities not used - are provided for the period November to March within the limit of the overall quantity. Lastly, Morocco notifies the Commission of weekly exports to the Community. These preferential arrangements relating to the additional special duty retained and refined the provisions introduced in the first quarter of 1995 which were intended to guarantee that Morocco maintained its traditional trade flows. For the first year of application of the new entry price arrangements, for tomatoes from 1 January 1995, an agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Community and the Kingdom of Morocco6 fixed a preferential entry price for tomatoes at ECU 560/t. That agreement was applied for the first time to the period 1 January to 31 March 1996 for a maximum 81 006 tonnes based on traditional trade flows to the Community of 12. Morocco undertook not to exceed that quantity and to distribute it monthly: 27 756, 29 594 and 23 656 tonnes in January, February and March 1995 respectively within a tolerance of 10%, and to notify weekly quantities exported to the Community. Analysis of that period shows that the agreement was applied correctly: quantities were strictly complied with and the various information sources tallied (see table below). In addition, prices were satisfactory, except during a critical period in February 1995. Information sources/periods (quantities in tonnes) Communication from Morocco: exports to the EU Counted against quota 11. 0990: quantities imported Comext database: actual imports: January 1995 February 1995 March 1995 Totals: 28 697 26 063 24463 79 223 28 884 25 985 26106 80 975 26189 25 319 25 971 77 479 Council Decision of 20 December 1994 (OJ No L 48, 3. 3. 1995, p. 22). The Commission implemented that agreement by Regulation (EC) No 298/95 of 14 February 1995 (OJ No L 35, 25. 2. 1995, p. 6). 20 Figures available for the year in progress indicate that Morocco is under- using the preferential entry price quota. On the other hand, prices have been maintained: the standard import value has always been higher than the "Morocco" entry price except during two critical periods in mid- November 1995 and mid-January 1996. Table 10: Development of Community Imports from Morocco Tomato*» CN code 0702 00 in tonnes Trade outside the Community imports from Morocco into the European Union 93 482 93194 80 968 91874 106319 135808 131 920 164360 148 297 84 491 21 Exports Community tomato exports have been increasing constantly since 1990 for all Member States except the United Kingdom, going from 107 000 tonnes to 278 000 tonnes in 1994, an average annual increase of 24. 1%. Table 11: Exports from the Community of 12 (in tonnes) 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 2 009 425 25 891 2 070 131 3 0 0 0 0 4106 1769 29 549 22 260 189 24 0 0 0 0 3 862 1067 29 239 29 959 1 782 15 84 577 111 0 12782 1 978 34 267 43 570 4 668 0 648 5 051 1 481 6 950 12 549 2 891 39 816 32 020 4 463 4 056 35 759 7 548 6 602 12 865 Partners EU Canada Switzerland Poland Hungary Israel Russia Slovenia Croatia Czech Republic From EU 12. 106 904 131 591 147 383 211207 278 089 Generally speaking, exports have opened up towards the eastern European countries such as Russia, Poland, the Czech Republic and certain parts of the former Yugoslavia, a trade flow which should continue in the future. 22 //. COMMUNITY AID 1- Structural aids (a) Aid to production structures Until 1993, EAGGF Guidance Section contributions to such aid were not programmed. The aid was granted as required under a system set up in each Member State and theEAGGF reimbursed expenditure notified by the Member States. Expenditure was eligible provided it complied with the provisions of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2328/91 on improving the efficiency of agricultural structures. Under that Regulation, there was no specific prohibition on aid to glasshouses or tomatoes. After 1994, a financial guideline existed for Objective 5(a) (together with programming, confined to aid granted in Objective 1 regions). However, despite the Commission's attempt to introduce specific programming for Regulation (EEC) No 2328/91 as a whole, the Council did not accept this approach. Under the present regulations, there is an indicative financial forecast only and, as regards investments, aid to glasshouses and tomatoes can continue to be granted. In view of this situation and the ensuing difficulties when it comes to considering the possible impact of such aid on tomato production, the Member States were requested to undertake an analysis of aid granted to the latter. All Member States claimed it was impossible to provide accurate information on aid to this area. In addition, sight should not be lost of the fact that production structures for fruit and vegetables vary greatly (depending on whether they are protected by plastic, netting, glass, etc. ) and may be used for the production of several products depending on the season, the climate, consumer taste, the market, etc. , which makes an accurate analysis under Objective 5(a) even more difficult. However, under the Operational Programmes, this type of investment is easier to identify. Thus, despite requests from a certain number of Member States regarding the construction of glasshouses for tomatoes, the reply has always been negative. The most recent case concerns Spain. The only cases where part-financing has been agreed to for glasshouses have involved highly specific measures and products such as flowers and out-of- season production. Outside such Operational Programmes and in the absence of precise indicators, one can only venture an analysis. Since the regulations do not provide for a discriminating approach, some information was collected from the Member States to give an approximate idea of the situation. On the basis of data received, 5. 5% of aid for investments under Regulation (EEC) No 2328/91 during the period 1990-94 was used for the construction and 23 modernization of glasshouses for all sorts of products, i. e. fruit, vegetables, flowers and nursery products. Such investments represent an overall burden of ECU 347. 65 million on the EAGGF in 1990-94 for the Community as a whole. Using that overall figure as a basis and extrapolating therefrom, one can attempt to identify aid to tomatoes since this product accounts for around 14% of total fruit and vegetable production only (excluding flowers and nursery products). By applying that percentage to the total aid to such investments, a figure of ECU 48. 67 million is arrived at for the EAGGF contribution for 1990-94, giving an annual average of ECU 9. 73 million for the Community of Twelve. One may conclude that while some marginal utilization of glasshouses for tomato production cannot be ruled out, the impact of structural aid to such investments on Community production is negligible. (b) Aid to processing and marketing structures To gain a comprehensive idea of the situation, aid for the processing and marketing of agricultural products should also be considered. In this area aid is permitted subject to precise selection criteria [see Annex]. Thus investments in the processing of tomatoes are prohibited or are subject to highly restrictive conditions, such as a 20% reduction in processing capacity. However, aid to marketing (fruit and vegetable markets and packaging) is generally permitted with the aim of facilitating the disposal of products on the market and is consequently beneficial for the production chain. For information, the table below summarizes aid for the processing and marketing of fruit and vegetables as a whole for 1991-93. In view of the restrictive approach in selection criteria and the relative importance of tomatoes in the fruit and vegetable industry as a whole, one may conclude that tomatoes have barely benefited from aid to processing and marketing. Regulation (EEC) No 866/90 - FRUIT AND VEGETABLES 1991-93 (ECU million) B. DK D GR E F IRL I L NL P UK Total EUR-12 5. 78 0. 11 29. 10 22. 06 56. 95 31. 40 2. 37 74. 17 0 4. 59 26. 2 6. 64 259. 37 1. 45 0. 03 7. 28 5. 52 14. 24 7. 85 0. 59 18. 54 0 1. 15 6. 55 1. 66 64. 84 Member State Total for 1991-93 Annual average 24 2. National aids 2. 1 State aid cases in the tomato sector The Commission has no information about national aid schemes, solely financed by Member States, which are specificaly destined for the tomato sector. The only known case which is linked with the actual situation in the tomato market is a Belgian request for an an aid scheme. This scheme concerns rescue aid in the form of interest relief and state guarantee on credits for producers of tomatoes, paprika and cucumbers, who are in financial difficulties. According to current Commission policy the main condition for accepting such rescue aid is that it concerns investments made in the past and that the rescue aid in cumulation with investment aid already granted does not go beyond the maximum aid levels which are normally applied for investment aid. Further conditions for accepting rescue aid are that the financial difficulties of the enterprises concerned are caused by external factors or that the aided enterprises present proof of their future viability. tomato It has to be pointed out that the current market problems of the only conditions which may trigger the producers in Belgium are granting of such rescue aid. Granting this such aid could equally be possible as a consequence of other events such as a rise in interest rates. The main reason however for the Commission not to raise any objection to such aid is the fact that the investment aid granted in the past has not reached the limits normally accepted by the Commission. On this basis such aid can be considered as an additional investment aid "ex posteriori". 2. 2 Aid for the tomato sector in the context of general aid schemes Even if no specific national aid schemes for tomato producers are known to the Commission, the tomato sector can benefit from general State aid schemes for horticulture or indeed for regional schemes which do not exclude the agricultural sector. The possibilities for such aid are however rather limited for the reasons laid out below: 25 2. 2. 1 The Commission considers that national aid in the form of operating support (aid per unit of input or output, or per ha) is normally incompatible with the common market because this aid has no lasting effect on the development of the sector concerned. Furthermore in the case of products subject to common market organisation these aids risk disturbing Community support mechanisms and are consequently considered as infringements to the market organisations concerned. The CMO are considered as complete and exhaustive regulations for the products concerned which exclude any additional national aid. So if such aid were to exist it would as a general rule be granted on illegal terms. In the context of the discussion on the tomato market of the European Union two Dutch measures for the horticultural sector which might be thought to constitute operating aid (but which do not necessarily fulfil the conditions of Article 92 (1)) have to be mentioned: The gas tariff system for Dutch horticulture actually applied is considered by the Commission as not giving an economic advantage towards horticulture vis-à-vis other sectors of the Dutch economy because they can obtain the same tariff if they use quantities of gas to the same extent as in horticulture. Consequently no State aid falls under Article 92 (1) in this tariff The gas price in the Netherlands is for all sectors indexed to the oil price. Furthermore the Commission has no information about any possible aid in the form of tax relief for Dutch horticulture. This applies as well for the energy tax which has recently been approved by the Commission. This tax foresees a partial exemption of horticulture from the tax on energy. The main reason for the Commission accepting this exception for horticulture under glass was that "full taxation would not allow full rechannelling of the yield of the tax which is a precondition of this scheme" and "on the contrary, it would result in a substantial increase of the tax burden" for the horticultural sector (Commission decision of 20 December 1995). 2. 2. 2 The only kind of operating aid fulfilling Aricle 92(1) which is possible as cofinanced aid under Council Regulation (EEC) No 2078/92 and as State aid is aid for environmentally compatible production methods in agriculture. This aid, normally granted in form of per ha aid, is destined to compensate for incurred as consequence of the undertakings for environmental protection given by the beneficiary plus an incentive element. It has to be mentioned that in current Commission policy on State aid the scale of incentive is not circumscribed. loss of income 26 Aid for environmentally compatible farming practices is often granted in form of cofinanced aid under the terms of the abovementioned Council regulation: As this regulation does not exclude State aid granted under differing conditions or exceeding the limits set in the regulation, supplementary State aid schemes exist in several Member States. 2. 2. 3 As concerns investment aid this aid can be granted to tomato producers in the context of general aid schemes. These aid schemes aid fall to a great extent within the scope of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2328/91. This regulation allows supplementary State aid for investments only for specific purposes as e. g. aid for environmental protection not linked with an increase in production capacity. 27 CONCLUSIONS 1. On the basis of this Community-wide analysis it can be stated that the Community market for fresh tomatoes seems to be balanced overall, with the normal fluctuations that characterise a dynamic market. 2. 3. 4. Despite the increase in consumption since 1990, which appears to be setting in for the future, Community production and areas planted are falling. There have, however, been remarkable innovations in cultivation techniques, which have greatly increased yields. There is a gradual trend towards demand for greater diversity and higher quality. The adjustment of supply to demand is one of the key requirements for keeping the market dynamic. There is an overall trend towards falling wholesale prices, despite a relative increase in 1994. The trend in 1995 seems also to be towards falling prices. This reduction is not uniform, and "traditional" varieties have been more affected by it than new varieties and forms of presentation, for which producer prices have been very attractive. There has been very little recourse to Community assistance measures. There is no indication that the devaluation of certain currencies (the peseta and the lira) has affected the ecu price of tomatoes from countries with a weak currency (Spain in particular). The growing volume of intra-Community trade indicates that the sector is operating satisfactorily. However, there has been a redistribution of the traditional winter/summer consignment calendars. To resolve the north- south conflict, it will be essential to find a balance for the 1. 3 million tonnes involved in this trade. Imports from third countries, in particular Morocco, are not disturbing the Community market. Community aid for production and marketing structures does not seem to be having a significant effect on production trends. These have been much more influenced by normal market fluctuations, and in particular changing trends in intra-Community trade. The results of the analysis do not show general problems at structural level. The sector is proving dynamic, production cannot be said to be excessive, and fluctuations in trade may be considered a normal part of the operation of single market forces. 5. The Commission does not have any information on national aids financed solely by Member States and intended specifically for the tomato sector. One aid of the "rescue" type has been applied for in the sector and it is currently being examined by the Commission. 28 RECOMMENDATIONS On the basis of these conclusions, the Commission considers that: 1. 2. 3. The Community market is in the process of reorganization in response to the new situation which has pertained since 1993. The challenges to be faced are, firstly, the new requirements of the market and, secondly, the rescheduling of intra-Community trade calendars. Natural market developments should establish sufficient equilibrium without Community assistance being called for. The lack of profitability of certain "greenhouse" enterprises in the northern Member States does not affect only the tomato sector. These difficulties appear to be the result of temporary factors concerning the advisability of investment rather than of real changes in the balance of the market. Solutions should be studied on an appropriate case-by-case basis without, however, disturbing the proper operation of the single market. In the past, the Commission has not objected to national aid intended to dismantle production potential which could be applied in the particular case of greenhouses. This type of aid should be reserved exclusively for compensating for the loss of value of means of production and granted to unprofitable enterprises wishing to abandon horticulture. 29 ANNEXES 30 THE KEY PRODUCTION REGIONS ANNEX I 1. Belgium Belgian production has increased by 13% since 1990. It is concentrated in the province of Antwerp, in particular at Mechelen and Hoogstraten, as well as in western Flanders. The most common method of disposal is via cooperatives which organize marketing of the products. Turnover on the wholesale tomato market in 1994 accounted for 23. 3% of the total value of vegetables produced in Belgium. Overall turnover for greenhouse-grown vegetables in 1994 was 6. 1% higher than in 1993, with tomatoes accounting for the most significant growth. The number of enterprises, mostly family businesses, with an average area of 1 hectare, has fallen since 1990, but the overall area planted has remained practically the same, with an increase in yield. The proportion of heated greenhouses has grown over the last two years at the cost of non-heated production. The overall trend in the sector is towards a decreasing number of enterprises and an increase in specialization and in the average area per enterprise. Average production prices (all varieties taken together) fell during the 1992 and 1993 marketing years and recovered in 1994, which did not, however, quite bring prices back to 1990 levels. A more detailed analysis by variety shows that in 1993 prices for the traditional round tomatoes fell in relation to 1990, with a recovery in 1994. By contrast, the volume of tomatoes on the stalk rose sharply, from 430 tonnes in 1993 to 2 752 tonnes in 1994 marketed from February onwards, accompanied by a net increase in prices for this type of presentation. The production of tomatoes on the stalk further increased in 1995 and the trend is expected to continue. After traditional tomato cultivation stabilized in Belgium in 1992 and 1993, Belgian producers decided to move towards diversification of that crop. This seems to have led to a recovery in price levels in 1994. Since 1990 Belgium has increased its total volume of consignments to other Member States, in particular France and the United Kingdom, while consignments to Germany are falling. 31 2. The Netherlands Production has fallen by 19% since 1990. The number of enterprises has fallen by 34% over the last five years, as has the area used for tomato production. Yields are still rising. The bulk of production is in the Westland region. Tomato production accounts for 37% of the total value of vegetable production. Since 1990 sweet pepper production has increased at the cost of tomato production. By variety, the area devoted to production of round and beef tomatoes is falling, while there has been a correspondingly sharp increase (from 30 ha in 1993 to 150 ha in 1994) in the area devoted to the production of small tomatoes, tomatoes on the stalk and cherry tomatoes. Overall, prices (all varieties taken together) have held up at 1990 levels. During the 1992 and 1993 marketing years they fell by 15% but recovered to 1990 levels in 1994. By variety, the prices for "beef tomatoes have fallen and those for tomatoes on the stalk and cherry tomatoes have held up. Traditionally, the bulk of produce in the Netherlands is sold by cooperatives who are also responsible for quality control and marketing. Over the last few years new strategies have focused more on market demand, leading to a policy of diversification In order to develop new "value-added opportunities". One example of this policy is the introduction of tomatoes on the stalk and "special flavour" tomatoes, which have been very successful on the market. More than 85% of tomatoes produced in the Netherlands are for external markets. These sales are carried out Dutch auction centres. Around fifteen major supermarket chains sell more than 50% of Dutch tomatoes in the countries of destination. The main destinations are Germany, the United Kingdom and Sweden. Since 1990 consignments to Germany have been increasing, while those to the United Kingdom are falling. 32 3. France While production in France has increased since 1990, there was a sharp fall in harvests in 1994. Greenhouse production has led to a reduction in the area used and an increase in average yields. Greenhouse production in France currently accounts for 75% of the volume harvested. The average area of the enterprises, mostly family businesses, is less than 1 hectare. The market of almost 70% of production volume is concentrated in the hands of 45 producer organizations. French production is concentrated in the regions of the south-east, south-west and north-west. In the south, Bouches-du-Rhône is the department with the highest production, accounting for 20% of total production. French production does not fully cover domestic demand, and its principal suppliers are Spain and Belgium. Imports from Spain have risen substantially, particularly for the winter season. Purchases of Belgian and Dutch tomatoes in the summer season are in direct competition with the French product. France provides the main market for imports from Morocco, absorbing more than 85% of them. 33 A. Soain The tomato, which is eaten more than any other vegetable in Spain, accounts for 25% of total horticultural production and is on the market all the year round. Since 1990 production and areas used for tomato production have fallen by 13%, while yields have continued to rise. Spanish production is carried on throughout the year, though winter production (October - June) has different characteristics to those of summer production (June- September). The bulk of summer tomatoes, which are principally for the domestic market, are farmed in the open by small family businesses. Winter tomatoes, on the other hand, the production of which is concentrated in the south-east on the Mediterranean coast and in the Canaries, account for more than 85% of all Spanish tomato production. Production is intensive with large and medium-sized enterprises which have developed very technically specialized methods and have very dynamic and effective marketing structures. All Spanish tomato exports come from the winter production regions. -The mainland: The main production areas are in Almeria and Murcia which account for 22% of Spanish fresh tomato production. Since 1990 production in that region has increased, as has, to a limited extent, the area used for the production of tomatoes under cover. Almost 60% of enterprises grow tomatoes under plastic covers, which makes it possible to obtain a better temperature in winter and ventilation during the hot periods of the year. The introduction of new varieties has made it possible to produce tomatoes of uniform quality 11 months out of 12 in this region. Over the last few years a model of efficient Mediterranean production has been established, integrating marketing (and thus export) structures around production areas. -The Canaries: The principal outlet for Canaries tomatoes is export, which currently accounts for 80% of the islands' total production. There are almost a hundred enterprises producing tomatoes, which account for 75% of the total value of horticultural production in the Canaries. The area planted and production, which have increased since 1990, now seem to have reached a plateau, as does the volume of consignments to the European Union. Since 1990 the sector has undergone structural modernization, based largely on the expectations of the European market, which is still continuing with modernization of packaging and marketing strategies. This process has undoubtedly been intensified by competition with Morocco. The opening up of competition in international transport nevertheless made it possible to achieve transport costs in 1994 that were 15% lower than in the preceding years. Consignments from the Canaries to the European Union increased by 29% in 1994; this increase was accounted for specifically by the United Kingdom market. The principal markets for consignments from the Canaries are in the United Kingdom (33. 5%) and the Netherlands (63%), where a large proportion of the tomatoes are forwarded via Rotterdam to other destinations, within the Union or in third countries. 34 ANNEX II STATISTICS 35 Member State BELGIQUE DANMARK DEUTSCHLAND ELLAS ESPANA FRANCE IRELAND ITALIA LUXEMBOURG NEDERLAND PORTUGAL UNITED KINGD EUR 12 production area yield production area yield production area yield production area yield production area yield production area yield production area yield production area yield production area yield production area yield production area yield production area yield production area yield 1988 205. 030 859 239 15. 167 47 323 19. 100 255 75 666. 910 36. 720 46 1. 834. 893 60. 350 43 417. 500 6. 420 108 13. 500 81 167 1. 594. 916 116. 013 41 30 2 15 567. 029 1. 715 331 63. 893 132. 100 624 212 5. 530. 068 223. 086 133 Tomato farming in EUR 15 1989 225. 220 915 246 17. 000 21. 500 267 81 728. 050 37. 691 53 1. 987. 763 66. 066 45 421. 700 6. 600 113 10. 600 57 186 2. 018. 230 133. 601 46 30 2 15 620. 782 1. 687 368 80. 835 134. 000 595 225 6. 265. 710 247. 481 115 1990 298. 400 940 286 19. 300 00 322 14. 500. ". " 685. 790 38. 513 48 2. 024. 895 89. 884 45 461. 100 6. 600 119 10. 500 54 194 2. 657. 083 136. 378 46 35 2 18 640. 725 1. 603 400 86. 706 : : 138. 700 580 239 6. 987. 534 254. 614 143 1991 313. 960 945 332 17. 500 16. 000 710. 700 39. 015 48 1. 793. 832 59. 913 44 527. 300 6. 650 128 9. 100 43 212 2. 759. 091 129. 669 48 40 3 13 636. 149 1. 570 405 72. 625 1992 329. 500 963 342 20. 000 31. 306 479 65 754. 940 36. 657 51 1. 880. 143 55. 802 47 516. 900 5. 960 128 11. 700 55 213 2. 712. 099 117. 595 50 52 3 17 651. 994 1. 505 433 64. 267 137. 300 556 247 6. 993. 597 238. 364 123 125. 900 476 264 7. 098. 801 219. 495 134 1993 346. 779 946 367 14. 666 55 267 24. 100 1994 309. 334 954 324 20. 000 20. 700 784. 850 33. 110 52 1. 912. 300 57. 111 49 643. 400 6. 060 145 0 1. 984. 572 113. 426 48 65 4 19 606. 612 1. 390 436 221. 103 34. 694 21 112. 900 401 282 6. 651. 347 247. 197 140 757. 250 32. 083 53 1. 786. 807 61. 613 50 492. 600 4. 750 162 0 2. 149. 074 115. 248 50 70 4 20 540. 577 1. 241 436 75. 000 111. 000 388 286 6. 262. 412 216. 281 115 Source: Member states datas and EUROSTAT, table drawn up by DG VI. E. 1 & Tomato farming in EUR 15 - total production for consumption as fresh tomatoes Member State BELGIQUE DANMARK (*) DEUTSCHLAND ELLAS ESPANA FRANCE IRELAND ITALIA LUXEMBOURG NEDERLAND PORTUGAL UNITED KINGDOM ÔSTERREICH FINLAND SVERIGE (**) EUR15 1988 (tonnes) 205. 030 15. 167 19. 100 666. 910 1. 834. 893 417. 500 13. 500 1. 594. 916 30 567. 029 63. 893 132. 100 30. 145 5. 560. 213 (%) 3,7 0,3 0,3 12,0 33,0 7. 5 0,2 28,7 0,0 10,2 1,1 2,4 0,0 0,5 0,0 100,0 1989 (tonnes) 225. 220 17. 000 21. 500 728. 050 1. 987. 763 421. 700 10. 600 2. 018. 230 30 620. 782 80. 835 134. 000 18. 395 28. 822 15. 540 6. 328. 467 (%) 3,6 0,3 0,3 11,5 31,4 6,7 0,2 31,9 0,0 9,8 1,3 2,1 0,3 0,5 0,2 100,0 1990 (tonnes) 268. 400 19. 300 14. 500 665. 790 2. 024. 695 461. 100 10. 500 2. 657. 083 35 640. 725 86. 706 138. 700 18. 045 31. 857 17. 887 7. 055. 323 (%) 3,8 0,3 0,2 9,4 28,7 6,5 0,1 37,7 0,0 9,1 1,2 2,0 0,3 0,5 0,3 100,0 1991 (tonnes) 313. 960 17. 500 16. 000 710. 700 1. 793. 832 527. 300 9. 100 2. 759. 091 40 636. 149 72. 625 137. 300 13. 768 30. 014 17. 890 7. 055. 269 (%) 4,5 0,2 0,2 10,1 25,4 7,5 0,1 39,1 0,0 9,0 1,0 1,9 0,2 0,4 0,3 100,0 1992 (tonnes) 329. 500 20. 000 31. 306 754. 940 1. 880. 143 516. 900 11. 700 2. 712. 099 52 651. 994 64. 267 125. 900 12. 330 30. 346 17. 890 7. 159. 367 (%) 4,6 0. 3 0,4 10,5 26,3 7,2 0,2 37,9 0,0 9,1 0,9 1. 8 0,2 0,4 0,2 100,0 1993 (tonnes) 346. 779 14. 666 24. 100 784. 850 1. 912. 300 643. 400 1. 984. 572 65 606. 612 221. 103 112. 900 13. 620 30. 778 18. 889 6. 714. 634 (%) 5,2 0,2 0,4 11. 7 28,5 9,6 29,6 0,0 9. 0 3. 3 1. 7 0,2 0. 5 0,3 100,0 1994 (tonnes) 309. 334 20. 000 20. 700 757. 250 1. 786. 807 492. 600 2. 149. 074 70 540. 577 75. 000 111. 000 14. 524 34. 608 19. 000 6. 330. 544 (%) 4. 9 0,3 0,3 12,0 28,2 7. 8 33,9 0. 0 8. 5 1,2 1,8 0. 2 0. 5 0. 3 100,0 (*): EUROSTAT - CRONOS figures for 1989, 1991,1992,1994 (**): EUROSTAT - CRONOS figures for 1989, 1991, 1992 'e;\. - s Withdrawals trends from 1990 to 1994 1991 1990 withdrawals 18 (%) 0,01 8 62 7783 BELGIQUE DANMARK DEUTSCHLAND ELLAS ESPAGNE FRANCE IRELAND ITALIA LUXEMBOURG NEDERLAND PORTUGAL U. KINGDOM EUR-12 Source: Member states balance sheets, table drawn up by DG VI. E. 1 withdrawals production 313960 17500 16000 710700 1793832 527300 9100 2759091 40 636149 72625 137300 60273 6993597 production 268400 19300 14500 665790 2024695 461100 10500 2657083 35 640725 86706 138700 135361 6987534 312 0 46 19091 71 26407 47 9072 0 5227 0 0 0,00 0,00 1,69 116367 11123 4,38 1,74 1,94 | (%) 0,1 1992 withdrawals 6543 0 312 3169 49 25528 120 175792 0 41181 0 3 production 329500 20000 31306 754940 1880143 516900 11700 2712099 52 651994 221103 112900 252697 7242637 2,7 0,00 5,01 0,33 0,82 0,86 Uo OS P<. -e 1993 withdrawals 5444 (%) 2,0 production 346779 14666 24100 784850 1912300 643400 99 5006 2613 11964 89 5852 1984572 65 606612 221103 112900 50091 6651347 18894 130 0 1994 (%) 1,57 7531 withd rawalsj prod uction 309334 20000 20700 757250 1786807 492600 59 2977 9996 6644 97 13820 2149074 70 540577 75000 111000 50220 6262412 8958 138 0,4 0,6 0,1 1,9 0,3 3,1 0,1 0,8 (%) 2,4 0,3 0,4 0,6 1,3 0,6 1,7 0,2 0,8 0,4 0,0 4,9 6,5 6,3 3,5 Production and intra-Community trade - EUR 12 - 8 000 -, 7 000 4 V) 0) c c o o o o $ oproduction o Trade 990 1991 1992 1993 1994 Yield trends e- 25 000 20 000 15 000 4— o SI 5 000 4 - M— WRk Area of tomato production under cover in the EU [•UE jgBE I DES; QFR^ ; BIT QNL 1990 1991 1992 1993 til!! wm 994 Consumption of fresh tomatoes in the EU (estimates) 30 T 25 •; a— 20. c 15 £ 10 1990 1991 1992 1993 1CC4 i *S V ** Variations in monthly prices in comparison with 1990 - Spain - o o I! o X o £" 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 Variations in monthly prices in comparison with 1990 - Belgium 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 200 40 20 ( W K ^V j i p i ^i H 200 T Variations in monthly prices in comparison with 1990 - Netheriands- G O O un • 1990 • • - 1 9 91 ; - * - 1 9 92 : • • - 1 9 93 * - 1 9 9 4; ItvviL Variations in average Community prices from March to June in comparison with 1990 140 T 130 4 ES «NIL B5; 1990 1991 1992 1993 CC4 Scale of withdrawals of tomatoes from the market by Member State as a proportion of domestic production between 1990 et 1994 Production, intra-Community Trade and investment aid - Belgium - production ~- trade" • - aid 2 000 1 500 4 o o o DUU • 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 Production, intra-Community trade and investment aid - Netherlands - production ES. trade ; - • -. - aid 2 000 4 1 500 o c Do I 8 1 ooo 4 500 4 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 2 000 1 500 SP» o o o 1 000 Production, intra-Community trade and investment aid - Spain - g 40 o. à i CZZ3 production \^m j — •— - trade I ! - aid 990 1991 1992 1993 1994 Production, intra-Community trade and investment aid - France - 2 000 1 500 £:. O C i i —' production BB -trade [ •-•Tijd"" 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 Imports to the EU of tomatoes from Morocco £ o o o 1SS0 1991 1992 1993 1994 ANNEX III Selection criteria for investments in the processing and marketing of agricultural products under Regulation (EEC) No 866/90 The selection criteria (Decision 94/342/EEC) relating to fruit and vegetables rule out the following investments: investments to increase marketing capacity for products where major withdrawals (attendant on surplus production) have been recorded in the areas concerned over the last three years; all investments resulting in an increase in processing capacity, except where equal capacity is abandoned in the same enterprise or in other specified enterprises, or in the case of special products where a significant growth in outlets has been shown. This ban does not apply in Objective 1 regions where insufficient capacity has been demonstrated; investments in the production of tomato concentrate, peeled tomatoes, citrus juice, peaches in syrup and pears in syrup, except where they cover new processing capacity which is at least 20% below the total pre-existing capacity abandoned in the region concerned. Investments qualifying for assistance from the EAGGF Guidance Section under the Regulation must seek to achieve the following: the rationalization and development of packaging, preserving, treatment, processing and recycling of by-products or manufacturing residues; better procedure for placing on the market, including greater transparency in price formation; the application of new processing techniques, including the development of new products and by-products or the opening-up of new markets and innovative investments; improvement in the quality of products. 55 ISSN 0254-1475 COM(96) 247 final DOCUMENTS EN 03 Catalogue number : CB-CO-96-256-EN-C ISBN92-78-04816-X Office for Official Publications of the European Communities L-2985 Luxembourg 51


title: Überprüfter Vorschlag für eine RICHTLINIE DES RATES über die Interoperabilität des transeuropäischen Hochgeschwindigkeitsbahnsystems

eurovoc_concepts:
committee (EU)
high-speed transport
intra-EU transport
rail transport
transport network

text: KOMMISSION DER EUROPÄISCHEN GEMEINSCHAFTEN it it it it * it Brüssel, den 10. 06. 1996 KOM(96) 249 endg. 94/0112 (SYN) Überprüfter Vorschlag für eine RICHTLINIE DES RATES über die Interoperabilität des transeuropäischen Hochgeschwlndlgkeltsbahnsystems (gemäß Artikel 189 c, Buchstabe d) des EG-Vertrages von der Kommission vorgelegt) A. BEGRÜNDUNG Am 8. Dezember 1995 hat der Rat einstimmig seinen gemeinsamen Standpunkt (EG) Nr. 36/95 C) im Hinblick auf den Erlaß einer Richtlinie des Rates über die Interoperabilität des transeuropäischen Hochgeschwindigkeitsbahnsystems fest gelegt. Diese Richtlinie beruht auf dem Kommissionsvorschlag [KOM(94)0107 vom 15. 04. 1994(2)] und dem nach der Stellungnahme des Europäischen Parla ments in Erster Lesung geänderten Kommissionsvorschlag [KOM(95)0271 vom 15. 06. 1995(3)]. Anläßlich seiner Plenarsitzung vom 15. bis 19. April 1996 hat das Europäische Parlament in Zweiter Lesung 8 Änderungen am Wortlaut des gemeinsamen Standpunktes des Rates angenommen. Hierbei handelt es sich um die Änderun gen Nr. 1 bis 4 und 9 bis 12. Änderung Nr. 1 sieht die Einfügung einer Erwägung 1a vor, mit der die Interope rabilität des gesamten transeuropäischen Eisenbahnnetzes gemäß Artikel 129b des EG-Vertrages angestrebt werden soll. Die Kommission hat diese Änderung übernommen, da eine schrittweise Verwirklichung der Interoperabilität des euro päischen Eisenbahnnetzes die Entwicklung des Eisenbahnsektors weiter fördern wird. Änderung Nr. 2 dient der Einfügung einer Erwägung 3a, mit der ein globaler An satz für die europäischen Eisenbahnnetzschemata eingeführt und darauf verwie sen wird, daß die Kommission beabsicht, Vorschläge für die Interoperabilität des konventionellen europäischen Eisenbahnnetzes vorzulegen. Die Kommission hat diese Änderung mit geringfügigen redaktionellen Änderungen übernommen, da sie den Vorstellungen entspricht, die in der Begründung ihres "Vorschlags für eine Entscheidung des Europäischen Parlaments und des Rates über gemein schaftliche Leitlinien für den Aufbau eines transeuropäischen Verkehrsnetzes" enthalten sind [KOM(94)0106 vom 07. 04. 1994 (4)]. Änderung Nr. 3 dient der Änderung von Erwägung 5, indem klargestellt wird, daß neben der Beförderung von Fahrgästen schrittweise auch Möglichkeiten gefunden werden sollen, die den schnellen Güterverkehr auf dem Hochgeschwindigkeits- bahnnetz erlauben. Die Kommission hat diese Änderung übernommen, zumal in mehreren Mitgliedstaaten bereits Untersuchungen der Probleme im Zusammen hang mit Hochgeschwindigkeitsdiensten bzw. der Beförderung von Eilgut oder verderblichen Waren durchgeführt werden. <1> (2) (3) M ABl. Nr. C 356 vom 30. 12. 1995, S. 4 3. ABI. Nr. C 134 vom 17. 05. 1994, S. 6. ABI. Nr. C 203 vom 08. 08. 1995, S. 13. ABI. Nr. C 220 v om 08. 08. 1994, S. 1. _ 2- Änderung Nr. 4 sieht die Einfügung einer Erwägung 5a vor, die den Zugang zum europäischen Hochgeschwindigkeitsbahnnetz erleichtern soll. Die Kommission hat diese Änderung übernommen, da sie ihrem Konzept des "Bürgernetzes" entspricht. Überdies stimmt diese Änderung mit der am 23. November 1994 angenommenen Stellungnahme des Wirtschafts- und Sozialausschusses überein [WSA 1297/94(5)]. Die Änderungen Nr. 9 und 12 betreffen die in Artikel 7 vorgesehenen Ausnahmen von den Bestimmungen der Richtlinie. Es wird vorgeschlagen, für die in diesem Artikel präzisierten vier Ausnahmefälle in Anbetracht der Tragweite der wirtschaft lichen Aspekte das gleiche Prüfverfahren anzuwenden. Die Kommission hat beide Änderungen mit geringfügigen redaktionellen Änderungen übernommen, da sie der Ansicht ist, daß eine generelle Anwendung des Prüfverfahrens dem Umstand Rechnung trägt, daß letztlich allen in Artikel 7 aufgeführten Ausnahmen wirtschaftliche Überlegungen zugrunde liegen. Änderung Nr. 10 betrifft den gesamten Artikel 21. Sie sieht vor, den vom Rat in seinem gemeinsamen Standpunkt vorgesehenen Regelungsausschuß durch den im ursprünglichen Kommissionsvorschlag vorgesehenen Beratenden Ausschuß zu ersetzen. Die Kommission hat diese Änderung mit geringfügigen redaktionel len Änderungen übernommen, da dies zu einer Vereinfachung und Beschleuni gung des Verfahrens beiträgt. Änderung Nr. 11 dient einer Ergänzung von Anhang III durch Hinzufügung einer grundlegenden Anforderung für den Verbraucherschutz. Die Kommission hat diese Änderung übernommen, da sie der Ansicht ist, daß die Interoperabilität des transeuropäischen Hochgeschwindigkeitsbahnsystems nicht nur aus technischen Gründen, sondern auch deswegen unverzichtbar ist, weil damit einem Bedürfnis der Bürger entsprochen wird. Œ ABLNr. C397vom31. t2. t9G4. S. 8. - 3- B. ÜBERPRÜFTER VORSCHLAG /. Die Erwägungen 1. Nach der ersten Erwägung wird die nachstehende Erwägung einge fügt : "Zur Verwirklichung der Idee eines Europas der Bürger stellt diese Richtlinie einen ersten Schritt auf dem Weg zur Interoperabilität des gesamten europäischen Eisenbahnnetzes dar. " 2. Nach der dritten Erwägung wird die nachstehende Erwägung einge fügt : Mlm April 1994 legte die Kommission einen Vorschlag für eine Entschei dung des Europäischen Parlaments und des Rates über gemeinschaft liche Leitlinien für den Aufbau eines transeuropäischen Verkehrsnet zes (6) vor, der auch Netzschemata für das konventionelle Eisenbahn netz enthält. Die Kommission beabsichtigt daher, nach Inkrafttreten dieser Entscheidung auch Vorschläge für die Interoperabilität des kon ventionellen Eisenbahnnetzes vorlegen, um insbesondere den grenz überschreitenden Regionalverkehr zu erleichtern. " 3. Die fünfte Erwägung erhält folgende Fassung : "Voraussetzung für den öffentlichen Betrieb von Hochgeschwindigkeits zügen sind einheitliche Infrastuktur- und Fahrzeugkennwerte. Von die ser Kompatibilität hängen das Leistungs-, Sicherheits- und Qualitätsni veau der angebotenen Verkehrsdienste sowie deren Kosten ab. Auf der Kompatibilität beruht vor allem die Interoperabilität des europäi schen Hochgeschwindigkeitsbahnnetzes. Zwar ist das Hochgeschwin digkeitsnetz in erster Linie für den Personenverkehr konzipiert, schritt weise sollen jedoch auch Möglichkeiten gefunden werden, die den schnellen Güterverkehr auf den Hochgeschwindigkeitsstrecken erlau ben. Die Fahrgäste müssen zu dem gesamten europäischen Hochgeschwin digkeitsbahnnetz leichten Zugang haben. Daher sollte die Interopera bilität der Fahrkartenausgabe-, Reservierungs- und Informationssyste me des europäischen Hochgeschwindigkeitsbahnnetzes sichergestellt werden. " (6) KOM(94)0106 vom 07. 04. 1994 (ABI. Nr. C 220 vom 08. 08. 1994, S. 1. ) _ 4_ //. Der verfügende Teil f 1. Der einleitende Wortlaut von Artikel 7 sowie die Buchstaben a), b) und c) bleiben unverändert. 2. Artikel 7 Buchstabe d) erhält folgende Fassung : Md) Vorhaben zum Ausbau bestehender Strecken für den Hoch- geschwindigkeitsbahnverkehr, bei denen die Anwendung dieser TSI die wirtschaftliche Lebensfähigkeit des Vorha bens gefährden würde. Der betreffende Mitgliedstaat unterrichtet die Kommission im voraus von der geplanten Ausnahme und übermittelt ihr ein Dossier, in dem die TSI oder Teile davon, welche er nicht anwenden will, aufgeführt sind. " 3. Artikel 7 wird folgender Absatz 2 angefügt : "2. Die Kommission prüft in den unter Absatz 1 Punkt a) bis d) genannten Fällen, ob die von dem Mitgliedstaat geplanten Maß nahmen gerechtfertigt sind, und faßt nach dem Verfahren des Ar tikels 21 Absatz 2 einen Beschluß. " 4. Artikel 21 erhält folgende Fassung : " 1. Die Kommission wird von einem beratenden Ausschuß für den spurgeführten Verkehr unterstützt, der sich aus Vertretern der Mit gliedstaaten zusammensetzt und in dem der Vertreter der Kom mission den Vorsitz führt. 2. Der Vertreter der Kommission unterbreitet dem Ständigen Aus schuß einen Entwurf der zu treffenden Maßnahmen. Der Aus schuß gibt seine Stellungnahme zu diesem Entwurf - erforderli chenfalls durch Abstimmung - innerhalb einer Frist ab, die der Vorsitzende unter Berücksichtigung der Dringlichkeit der be treffenden Frage festsetzen kann. Die Stellungnahme wird in das Protokoll aufgenommen; darüber hinaus kann jeder Mitgliedstaat verlangen, daß sein Standpunkt im Protokoll festgehalten wird. Die Kommission berücksichtigt die Stellungnahme des Ausschus ses soweit wie möglich. Sie unterrichtet den Ausschuß darüber, in welcher Form sie seiner Stellungnahme Rechnung getragen hat. - 5- Der Ausschuß kann alle Fragen zur Interoperabilität des europäi schen Hochgeschwindigkeitsbahnsystems erörtern. Der Ausschuß kann gegebenenfalls Arbeitsgruppen einsetzen, die ihn bei der Erledigung seiner Aufgaben, insbesondere hin sichtlich der Mitarbeit bei der Koordinierung der benannten Stel len, unterstützen. " ///. Die Anhänge In Anhang III wird nach Punkt 2. 7. 3. der folgende Wortlaut angefügt : "2. 8. Benutzer 2. 8. 1. Verbraucherschutz Die Information über die und das Angebot von Dienstleistungen müssen im gesamten europäischen Hochgeschwindigkeitsbahnnetz transparent sein und gewährleistet werden. " - 6- ISSN 0256-2383 KOM(96) 249 endg. DOKUMENTE DE 07 Katalognummer : CB-CO-96-257-DE-C ISBN 92-78-04825-9 Amt für amtliche Veröffentlichungen der Europäischen Gemeinschaften L-2985 Luxemburg 3-


title: Opnieuw behandeld voorstel voor een RICHTLIJN VAN DE RAAD betreffende de Interoperabiliteit van het transeuropees hoge-snelheidsspoorwegsysteem

text: COMMISSE VAN DE EUROPESE GEMEENSCHAPPEN Brussel, 10. 06. 1996 COM(%) 249 dcf. 94/0112 (SYN) Opnieuw behandeld voorstel voor een RICHTLIJN VAN m M AD betreffende de interoperabiliteit van het transeuropees hoge-snelheidsspoorwegsysteem (door de Commissie overeenkomstig artikel 189 C onder d), van het EG-verdrag ingediend) A. TOELICHTING Op 8 december 1995 heeft de Raad met eenparigheid van stemmen Gemeen schappelijk standpunt (EG) nr. 36/95 0) vastgesteld met het oog op de aanneming van een richtlijn van de Raad betreffende de interoperabiliteit van het transeuro pees hoge-snelheidsspoorwegsysteem. De richtlijn is gebaseerd op het voorstel van de Commissie [COM(94)107 van 15. 4. 1994 (2)] , als gewijzigd na eerste le zing in het Europees Parlement bij het gewijzigd voorstel [COM(95)271 van 15. 6. 1995(3)]. Tijdens de plenaire vergadering van 15 tot 19 april 1996 heeft het Europees Par lement acht amendementen op de tekst van het gemeenschappelijk standpunt van de Baad aangenomen, namelijk de amendementen 1 tm. 4 en 9 tm. 12. Amendement nr. 1 behelst de opneming van een eerste overweging bis waarin/ in het licht van artikel 129 B van het Verdrag, de interoperabiliteit van het Europese spoorwegnetwerk als doelstelling wordt genoemd. De Commissie heeft dit amen dement overgenomen omdat de geleidelijke totstandbrenging van de interoperabi liteit van het Europese spoorwegnet verder zal bijdragen aan de ontwikkeling van de spoorwegsector. Amendement nr. 2 behelst de opneming van een derde overweging bis, waarin wordt gerefereerd aan de ruimere context waarin de netwerkschema's voor het spoorvervoer moeten worden gezien; voorts wordt bepaald dat de Commissie in de toekomst voorstellen zal voorleggen inzake de interoperabiliteit van het con ventionele spoorwegnet. De Commissie heeft dit amendement met de nodige re dactionele aanpassingen overgenomen, omdat het in overeenstemming is met de doelen die zij heeft uiteengezet in de toelichting op het "Voorstel voor een be schikking van het Europees Parlement en van de Raad betreffende commu nautaire richtlijnen voor de ontwikkeling van een transeuropees vervoersnetwerk" [COM(94)106 van 7. 4. 1994 (*)]. Amendement nr. 3 betreft een wijziging van de vijfde overweging , waarin wordt gesteld dat het netwerk voor hoge-snelheidstreinen niet allen voor het personen vervoer is bestemd, maar dat er ook geleidelijk oplossingen moeten worden ge vonden om goederenvervoer op hoge-snelheidslijnen mogelijk te maken. De Commissie heeft dit amendement overgenomen, te meer daar de problemen in verband met het hoge-snelheidstransport van spoedeisende of bederfelijke goe deren reeds in verscheidene Lid-Staten worden bestudeerd. 0) <2> (3) <4> PB C 356 van 30. 12. 1995, blz. 43. PB C 134 van 17. 5. 1994, blz. 6. PB C 203 van 8. 8. 1995, blz. 13. PB C 220 van 8. 8. 1994, blz. 1. - 2- Amendement nr. 4 behelst de opneming van een vijfde overweging bis waarin wordt gesteld dat de toegang tot het Europese hoge-snelheidsnet moet worden vergemakkelijkt. De Commissie heeft dit amendement overgenomen, aangezien het goed aansluit op haar denkbeelden over het "Citizen's Network". Bovendien strookt het amendement met het advies van het Economisch en Sociaal Comité van 23 november 1994 [CES 1297/94 («>]. De amendementen nrs. 9 en 12 betreffen de in artikel 7 genoemde afwijkingen van de richtlijn. Voorgesteld wordt om, gezien het belang van economische over wegingen, dezelfde onderzoekprocedure toe te passen voor de vier afwijkingen waarin dit artikel voorziet. De Commissie heeft deze amendementen met de no dige redactionele aanpassingen overgenomen, omdat zij van oordeel is dat de algemene toepassing van de onderzoekprocedure voortvloeit uit het feit dat aüe in artikel 7 genoemde afwijkingen in werkelijkheid samenhangen met economische overwegingen. ï Amendement nr. 10 heeft betrekking op geheel artikel 21. Het beoogt de door de Raad in het gemeenschappelijk standpunt gehandhaafde comitéprocedure te ver vangen door de procedure met een comité van raadgevende aard, zoals de Com missie die in haar oorspronkelijke voorstel had opgenomen. De Commissie heeft dit amendement met de nodige redactionele aanpassingen overgenomen, omdat de procedure erdoor wordt vergemakkelijkt en versneld. Amendement nr. 11 betreft een aanvulling op bijlage III, waaraan een essentiële eis inzake de bescherming van de consument wordt toegevoegd. De Commissie heeft dit amendement overgenomen, daar zij van oordeel is dat de interoperabili teit van het Europese hoge-snelheidssysteem niet alleen om technische redenen maar ook met het oog op de behoeften van de burgers noodzakelijk is. <s> PB C 397 van 31. 12. 1994, blz. 8. - 3- B. OPNIEUW BEHANDELD VOORSTEL /. Overwegingen 1. Na de eerste overweging wordt de volgende overweging ingevoegd : "overwegende dat deze richtlijn in het kader van de verwezenlijking van het Europa van de burgers een eerste stap vormt op weg naar inter operabiliteit van het Europese netwerk van spoorwegen," 2. Na de derde overweging wordt de volgende overweging ingevoegd : ƒ "overwegende dat de Commissie in april 1994 een voorstel voor een besluit van het Europees Parlement en de Raad heeft voorgelegd betreffende communautaire richtsnoeren voor de ontwikkeling van efen transeuropees vervoersnetwerk <6) dat ook netwerkschema's voor het conventionele spoorwegnet bevat; dat de Commissie na inwerking treding van dit besluit zich ook het recht voorbehoud voorstellen voor leggen inzake de interoperabiliteit van het conventionele spoorwegnet teneinde met name het grensoverschrijdende regionale vervoer te ver gemakkelijken," 3. De vijfde overweging wordt vervangen door de volgende tekst : "overwegende dat de commerciële exploitatie van hoge-snelheids- treinen vereist dat de infrastructuur en het rollend materieel optimaal op elkaar zijn afgestemd; dat van deze afstemming de prestaties en de veiligheid, alsook de kwaliteit en de kostprijs van de dienstverlening en inzonderheid ook de interoperabiliteit van het transeuropees hoge- snelheidsspoorwegsysteem afhankelijk zijn; dat het netwerk voor hoge-snelheidstreinen weliswaar in eerste instantie voor het vervoer van personen is bestemd, maar dat geleidelijk ook oplossingen moeten worden gevonden om een snel vervoer van goederen op de hoge-snel- heidstrajecten mogelijk te maken, overwegende dat de gebruikers een gemakkelijke toegang tot het ge hele Europese netwerk voor hoge-snelheidstreinen moet worden gebo den; dat daarom moet worden gezorgd voor interoperabiliteit van de systemen voor de kaartverkoop, reservering en informatie van het Europese netwerk voor hoge-snelheidstreinen," <6> COM(94)106 van 7. 4. 1994 (PB C 220 van 8. 8. 1994, blz. 1. ) - 4- //. Dispositief 1. De tekst van het inleidende gedeelte van artikel 7, alsmede de punten a), b) en c) blijven ongewijzigd. 2. De tekst van punt d) van artikel 7 wordt vervangen door de volgende tekst : "d) voor een project voor de aanpassing van een bestaande lijn met het oog op hoge-snelheidstreinverkeer, wanneer toe passing van de TSI's de economische levensvatbaarheid van het project in het gedrang brengt. f De betrokken lid-staat stelt de Commissie vooraf in kennis van zijn voornemen af te wijken en doet haar een dossier toekomen met de TSI's of delen daarvan die hij niet toege past wenst te zien. " 3. Aan artikel 7 wordt een tweede lid toegevoegd : "2. De Commissie onderzoekt in de onder a) tot d) genoemde ge vallen of de door de lid-staat overwogen maatregelen gerecht vaardigd zijn en neemt een besluit volgens de procedure van ar tikel 21, lid 2. " 4. De tekst van artikel 21 wordt vervangen door de volgende tekst : " 1. De Commissie wordt bijgestaan door een adviescomité voor het railvervoer bestaande uit vertegenwoordigers van de Lid-staten en voorgezeten door de vertegenwoordiger van de Commissie. 2. De vertegenwoordiger van de Commissie legt het vaste comité een ontwerp voor van de te nemen maatregelen. Het comité brengt - zo nodig via stemming - binnen een termijn die de voor zitter kan vaststellen naar gelang van de urgentie van de materie advies uit over dit ontwerp. Het advies wordt in de notulen op genomen; daarnaast kan iedere lid-staat verlangen dat zijn stand punt in de notulen wordt vastgelegd. De Commissie houdt met het advies van het comité zo veel mo gelijk rekening. Zij deelt het comité mede in welke vorm zij met zijn advies rekening heeft gehouden. - 5- Het comité kan alle kwesties bespreken die betrekking hebben op de interoperabiliteit van het Europees hoge-snelheidsspoorweg- systeem. Het comité kan in voorkomend geval werkgroepen oprichten om zich te laten assisteren bij de vervulling van zijn taken, met name met het oog op het bijdragen tot de coördinatie van de aange melde instanties. " ///. Bijlagen De tekst van Bijlage III wordt na punt 2. 7. 3. aangevuld met de volgende tekst : "2. 8. Gebruikers t 2. 8. 1. Bescherming van de consumenten De informatie en het aanbod met betrekking tot de dienstverlening dienen doorzichtig en gegarandeerd te zijn voor het gehele Europese hoge-snel heidsspoorwegnet. " - 6- ISSN 0254-1513 COM(96) 249 def. DOCUMENTEN NL 07 Catalogusnummer : CB-CO-96-257-NL-C ISBN 92-78-04830-5 Bureau voor officiële pu blik a ties der Europese Gemeenschappen L-2985 Luxemburg 1