I am aware that the EC Commission has carried out a two-year information campaign to promote Community produced olive oil. This campaign, which ended in March this year, was run in all 12 EC member states. A percentage of consumption aid (i.e. aid paid to bottlers/canners of olive oil) was retained to finance this campaign.
The campaign concentrated on the dissemination of scientific knowledge, P.R. and promotional measures and market studies/research.
I am, of course, conscious of the desirability of promoting the use of milk and dairy products and have encouraged this. Following the abolition, from 1 April 1993, of the EC co-responsibility levy, which has been the basis for funding generic promotion in the dairy sector, I obtained the agreement of the EC Council that member states would have the option of applying a levy at national level to continue such activities. I am confident, however, that the dairy industry will continue on a voluntary basis to finance the promotion and advertising of its products and, if this is the case, I would not have to introduce the compulsory levy.