Press Release: Commission proposes a simpler and more flexible fruit and vegetable regime

On 12.7.00 the European Commission adopted a proposal to amend the Common Market Organisation for fruit and vegetables, including processed fruit and vegetables, as well as the EU's aid scheme for citrus fruits. Although the Commission is to submit a report to the Council on the operation of the fruit and vegetables regime by the end of 2000. Today's proposal is aimed at addressing shortcomings that should be addressed urgently. For certain processed fruit and vegetables, the proposal aims to rationalise and simplify the arrangements and to adapt the relevant production thresholds. It will simplify and stabilise the support scheme for producer organisations and improve the management of export refunds for fresh fruit and vegetables. The amendments should apply from the 2001/2002 marketing year, except for the change to the support of producer organisations which is foreseen to apply from 01.01.01.