Traduction de «tobacco growing » (Anglais → Français) :

(14) Tobacco growing is of historical importance on the islands. Economically speaking, tobacco preparation continues to be one of the chief industrial activities in the region. In social terms, tobacco cultivation is very labour intensive and carried out by small farms. Since the crop is not sufficiently profitable it is in danger of dying out. Tobacco is currently cultivated only on a small area on the island of La Palma, where it is used for the artisanal manufacture of cigars. Spain should therefore be authorised to continue to grant aid in addition to the Community aid so that this traditional crop can be maintained with a view to supporting the artisan ...[+++]al activity associated with it. In addition, to maintain the manufacture of tobacco products, imports into the Canary Islands of raw and semi-manufactured tobacco should continue to be exempt from customs duty, up to an annual limit of 20000 tonnes of stripped raw tobacco equivalent.

As far as the Cunha report is concerned, it contains a number of good points, but it too accepts the objective, albeit with reservations, of reducing tobacco growing in the Community, perhaps over a longer period of time. This is clearly illustrated, for example, in Amendments Nos 7 and 12, calling for tobacco growers to be encouraged to switch into other crops, which is why we shall be voting against it.

– (NL) The European Union pursues a policy which, on the one hand, discourages the smoking of tobacco products while, on the other, encouraging the production of tobacco by granting subsidies to tobacco-growing farmers.

In the context of the first review, it will in particular be necessary to examine alternatives to the present system which take more into account a high level of human health protection, and thus establish a link between the specific tax component and the relative harmfulness of the product; the gradual elimination of Community subsidies for tobacco growing (by 2010) as a logic consequence of high taxation of tobacco products for health reasons; the establishment of conversion programmes towards alternative economic activities for tobacco growers, in view of the possible negative employment effects of a higher taxation of tobacco produ ...[+++]cts and of the elimination of Community subsidies for tobacco growing.

Having said this I hope that the strict regulations that run counter to the spirit of the lobbyists and their interests, will be followed up, and I believe that the measures proposed by Mrs Martens to abolish the subsidising of tobacco growing might give a healthy impetus.

Whereas measures to orientate production can help to stabilize the tobacco market and improve the quality of production; whereas specific aid will enable producer groups to contribute towards the improvement of the organization and orientation of production; whereas a research programe financed with the proceeds of a deduction from the premium will enable tobacco growing to be brought more closely into line with Community requirements as regards public health; whereas, lastly, a conversion programme for growers of Mavra, Tsebelia, Forchheimer Havanna IIc and hybrids of Geudertheimer tobacco is necessary because of the importance of th ...[+++]ese varieties for the economy of certain Community regions;