Unjustified and detrimental delays are observed in the adoption of the necessary EIA that will define the conditions for the circulation of national fertilizers - Inorganic Fertilizers of Greek Specifications, a fact that is also denounced by the Association of Fertilizer Producers and Traders (SPEL), with repeated requests, interventions and letters.
In fact, since it has already been adequately prepared by the competent services of the Ministry of Agriculture, the General State Chemistry Laboratory and TEGEL, and given that more than half a year has passed since neighbouring and competing countries have made this legislation, there is no justification for further delay in its issuance.
This issue is brought to the Parliament with a Question 43 Members of Parliament of SYRIZA-PS, on the initiative of Minister of Agriculture. St. Arachovitis asking for a specific commitment on when exactly the specific EIA will be issued that will give breath to the already multiply burdened Greek farmers.
Below is the full text of the Question:
QUESTION
Athens, 15/9/2022
To the Minister of Rural Development and Food
Subject: “Issuance of a CAA for the regulation of the circulation of national fertilizers - Inorganic Fertilizers of Greek Specifications”
The fertilization products that were circulating for more than 20 years in the Greek market, were covered by the provisions of the European Regulation (EC) 2003/2003. This Regulation was repealed on 16-7-2022 and replaced by the New European Regulation for fertilization products (EU 1009/2019). Therefore, appropriate legislation (issue of a Regulation) is required to define the conditions for the circulation of national fertilizers - Inorganic Fertilizers of Greek Specifications, in order not to disrupt, but to continue unhindered the marketing of these products that will meet the requirements of the New Regulation.
However, as complained by the Association of Fertilizer Producers and Traders (SPEL), despite repeated calls, interventions and letters, there is no progress in the issuance of this necessary EIA for the regulation of the circulation of national fertilizers - Inorganic Fertilizers of Greek Specifications. This delay occurs despite the fact that there is a positive recommendation and preparation of the EIS by the competent Service of the Ministry of Agriculture, the General State Laboratory and the TEGEL. This delay occurs, according to SPEL, at a time when neighbouring and competing countries, such as Spain (from 18-2-2022) and Italy (from 12-4-22) have already made a similar legislative regulation, incorporating in their national legislation all these products that were in the EC 2003/2003.
Because with the delay in the adoption of the necessary and already prepared by the competent authorities, the production, marketing and distribution in the Greek market of nutritional products and fertilizers of pioneering formulations of high quality and specifications with innovative technologies of Greek companies that cover the 85% of fertilizers used by Greek farmers is disrupted and prevented.
Because the new Regulation, recognising the highly localised nature of certain markets and products, leaves the possibility for Member States to market fertilisation products either under EU Regulation 1009/2019 or under their national legislation. Consequently, EU Regulation 1009/2019 explicitly states that compliance with the harmonised rules should remain optional and should only be required for products that follow Reg. 1009/2019, while allowing fertilisers to be placed on the internal market in accordance with national law.
Because the possibility is given for fertilizers of these specifications to be imported with mutual recognition (European Regulation 515/2019) from other Member States, such as Italy and Spain, which have already approved with the relevant legislation the possibility of their continued circulation, while Greek companies cannot produce and circulate them and respectively export them,
Because the Greek agricultural production is already being affected in every way, especially by the soaring prices of fertilizers and the non-approval under the new regulation of fertilizers already on the market will impose an additional burden on farmers due to the increased cost of imports, while it will also have a significant negative impact in terms of quality and quantity on agricultural production,
Because the non-issuance of this EIA is contrary to the conditions of healthy competition, and therefore causes commercial damage to companies, will cause a reduction in jobs and will threaten the viability of many companies, especially small and medium-sized Greek companies.
The question to the Minister is:
- What is the reason for the delay in the adoption of the necessary EIA that will define the conditions for the circulation of national fertilizers - Inorganic Fertilizers of Greek Specifications at a time when it has already been adequately prepared by the competent authorities while more than half a year has passed since neighbouring and competing countries have made this legislative regulation?;
- When will the necessary EIA be issued that will define the conditions for the circulation of national fertilizers - Inorganic Fertilizers of Greek Specifications in order to stop the obstacles and barriers to the circulation of national fertilizers - Inorganic Fertilizers of Greek Specifications and not to further burden farmers and businesses that are already facing very unfavourable conditions in their productive and business activity?;
The questioning Members of Parliament
Arachovitis Stavros
Avramakis Eleftherios
Alexiadis Tryfon
Avgeri Theodora (Dora)
Avlonitis Alexandres-Christos
Vardakis Socrates
Varemenos Georgios
Vetta Kalliopi
Gara Anastasia (Natasha)
Gkiolas Ioannis
Eleftheriadou Sultana (Tania)
Zeibek Husein
Higoumenidis Nikolaos
Emmanuel Thrapansiotis (Manolis)
Kalamatianos Dionysios - Charalambos
Kafantari Chara
Kokalis Vasileios
Lappas Spyridon
Malama Sunday
Markos Konstantinos
Meikopoulos Alexandros
Barkas Konstantinos
Bournous Ioannis
Moraitis Athanasios (Thanos)
Papadopoulos Athanasios (Sakis)
Papailiou Georgios
Perka Theopisti (Petite)
Poulou Panagiou (Giota)
Ragousis Ioannis
Santorini Nektarios
Sarakiotis Ioannis
Panagiotis Skourletis (Panos)
Skouroliakos Panagiotis (Panos)
Skoufa Elissavet (Betty)
Syrmalenios Nikolaos
Tzakri Theodora
Tzoufi Meropi
Alexandros Triantaphyllides
Famellos Socrates
Filis Nikolaos
Fotiou Theano
Christidou Rallia
