A3-0369/93

Resolution on the report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the activities of the body of specific officials of the Commission for Controls in the wine sector (SEC(92)2014)

The European Parliament,

-having regard to the report presented by the Commission (SEC(92)2014),

-having regard to Rule 148 of its Rules of Procedure,

-having delegated the power of decision, pursuant to Rule 52 of its Rules of Procedure, to the Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development,

-having regard to the report of the Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development and the opinion of the Committee on Budgetary Control (A3-0369/93),

A.whereas the wine sector is of considerable importance,

B. whereas fraud in this sector costs a great deal of money,

C.whereas the Commission's report clearly demonstrates the need for a more permanent control system across the Community,

1.Points out that the report was produced as a result of an initiative of the European Parliament to reduce fraud; believes that this initiative has been proved justified, and fully supports the conclusions of the report;

2.Believes that the Commission's body of specific officials must be strengthened by making provision for more specialists within the wine sector;

3.Believes that the body should be set up on a permanent footing with a proper status that will guarantee its officials a long-term career;

4.Believes that the body must be given the technical resources (reference laboratories) and funds which will directly help to reduce EAGGF expenditure by cutting back unlawful premiums, aids and interventions;

5.Points out that the report highlights the need for more prompt response on the part of Member States to questions concerning fraud; stresses that without full and active cooperation by Member States, it will be impossible to deal with the problem of fraud, and that any efforts to do so by the Commission are wasted;

6.Calls on the Commission to establish, on a permanent basis, a central Community arbitration laboratory for controls in the wine sector;

7.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and Commission and to the governments of the Member States.