Smaller Aegean islands: specific measures (amend. Regulation (EEC) No 2019/93)

The Commission has presented its annual report on the implementation of the specific agricultural measures applied in the Aegean islands for the years 1998 and 1999 (in accordance with Council Regulation 2019/93/EEC). According to the report, in 1998 and 1999 implementation of the supply measures averaged 70,97% and 80,97% respectively in relation to the forecast supply balances, and 72,97% and 84,29% in relation to the forecast cost for those periods, though the rate of implementation varied considerably from one product to another. The highest rate was achieved for animal feedingstuffs, wheat flour and sugar. Yoghurt showed a zero rate of implementation for these two years. For fruit and vegetables the aid has finally reached the end of its phasing out in 1998. In general terms, implementation of the measures in support of local products progressed satisfactorily. The exception was the measure for production of fruit, vegetables, and flowers. Again, during these two years, the best performances were achieved by the maintenance of olive groves, the cultivation of vineyards for the production of quality wines and the production of honey. As regards the derogations concerning structural measures, the provisions on derogations from Regulation 2328/91/EEC on improving the efficiency of agricultural structures were adopted in 1993, thus enabling more than 15 000 farmers to take advantage of the derogation concerning the compensatory allowance. Also enabling more than 3000 farmers to invest in their holdings. Although overall progress in the programme seems to be satisfactory, the above observations together with those of the independent evaluator call for some adjustments to the Regulation 2019/93/EEC. The Greek authorities have presented requests for certain measures to be adapted such as specific supply arrangements and aid to local produce. All the above have been included in the Commission's proposal COM(2001) 638 of 29 November 2001. This proposal has been discussed within the Council in November and December 2001. At that level it was decided to add a couple of products (wheat for human consumption and cottonseeds as animal feedingstuffs) in the list of Supply Arrangements. Whereas in the assistance to Local Production it was decided the planned area for production of potatoes for human consumption and seed potatoes to be reduced from 3 200 ha to 2 200 ha and to increase the ceiling of bee hives to 100 000.�