Press Release: Commission charges nine Member States for the build-up of surplus stocks of agricultural products

The European Commission has adopted a communication setting out charges on nine of the Member States which joined the EU in 2004 for the build-up of surplus stocks of various agricultural products prior to their accession. The countries will have to pay a total of € 41.1 million into the EU budget, but will be given a period of four years to make the payments. As it follows from the accession Treaty, the new Member States were required to ensure that there was no stockpiling of agricultural products leading up to accession. However, above-normal stocks were found for agricultural commodities including meat, dairy products and fruit & vegetables. The definition of these surplus stocks follows two years of close and open dialogue with the Member States concerned, during which the Commission has adjusted its method for calculation to take into account general and country specific put forward by Member States. The result is charges much lower than initially calculated. The definition and charging of surplus stocks is done before every enlargement. In 2006 a Commission decision was made on surplus stocks of sugar (see IP/06/1551).