As the authors are not present, Question No 47 by Mr Valverde Lopez and Question No 48 by Mr Sanchez Garcia lapse.

Question No 49 by Miguel Arias Cañete (H-0419/94)

Subject: Cotton production in the Community

Cotton production in Greece has increased significantly in recent years (estimate for the 1994/95 season: 1.1 million tonnes). This has had a serious effect on both producers and manufacturers of cotton in Spain, in the form of substantial price penalties (of up to 27%) imposed because the maximum guaranteed quantity has been exceeded, although Spain cannot be held responsible for these since, in the last two seasons, Spanish production has been less than 100 000 tonnes because of the persistent drought affecting cotton production areas.

Would it not be fairer to excuse Spain from payment of the above penalty for the 1994/95 season (approximately Ptas 5.3 billion)?