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Specific rules for the fruit and vegetable sector

2007/0012(CNS)

PURPOSE: to lay down specific rules concerning the fruit and vegetable sector and to bring it into line with other reformed sectors under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Regulation (EC) No 1182/2007 of 26 September 2007 laying down specific rules as regards the fruit and vegetable sector, amending Directives 2001/112/EC and 2001/113/EC and Regulations (EEC) No 827/68, (EC) No 2200/96, (EC) No 2201/96, (EC) No 2826/2000, (EC) No 1782/2003 and (EC) No 318/2006 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 2202/96

BACKGROUND: for the past ten years, the fruit and vegetable sector has faced strong pressure from the highly concentrated retail and discount chains, which play a major role in setting the price. It has also faced competition from imported products, which are taking a growing share of the market thanks to improved quality and relatively low prices. Since the last reform of the fruit and vegetable sector  in 1996, Producer Organisations (POs) and their so-called Operational Programmes have played a key role in grouping supply and are effective in helping producers to face up to the retail sector. However, a high proportion of producers in some Member States still prefer not to participate.Further, the fruit and vegetable sector CMO has not been revised alongside the reformed Common Agricultural Policy.

CONTENT: for the reasons outline above, the Community has adopted this Regulation, the purpose of which is to lay down specific new rules concerning the fruit and vegetable sector. The Regulation specifies that it is necessary to change the regime for the fruit and vegetables sector in order to achieve the following objectives:

  • improving the competitiveness and market orientation of the sector so as to contribute to achieving sustainable production that is competitive both on internal and external markets;
  • reduce fluctuations in producers’ income resulting from crises on the market;
  • increase the consumption of fruit and vegetables in the Community; and
  • continue efforts made by the sector to maintain and protect the environment.

A further key objective of the Regulation is to bring the regulation of fruit and vegetables in line with the reformed Common Agricultural Policy. In summary, the key elements of the reform are:

  • the transfer of funds earmarked for processing aid to the decoupled Single Payment Scheme (SPS).
  • strengthening the role of producer organisations (PO) as well as simplifying the rules governing them.
  • developing Operational Programmes in the Member States with Producer Organisation,  which should include at least two environmental measures as well as campaigns to promote the consumption of fruit and vegetables, paying special attention to children.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 06 November 2007

APPLY: 1 January 2008.