This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'Contacts with the tobacco industry during 2018'.



Ref. Ares(2018)3646309 - 09/07/2018
Ref. Ares(2019)238301 - 16/01/2019
From: 
 
Sent: 
lundi 9 juillet 2018 17:42 
To: 
 
 
Subject: 
Short report - groupe de travail tabac du Copa-Cogeca du 09/07 matin- 
échange de vues sur la situation de marché du secteur 
Attachments: 
TAB(18)4801FR[1].pdf; Market situation 2016-2017 tobacco.pdf 
 
Following the invitation below from COPA-COGECA, I have attended the working group on Tobacco on 9 
July 2018 (see attached agenda). 
 
Meeting chaired by 
, attended by representatives of producers from FR, EL, HU, 
IT, ES. 
I have presented the data available regarding the sector of tobacco (see attached PDF); it confirms in 
particular the decrease of tobacco in EU, the diversity in production and price (between 0.94 €/kg and 
5.17 €/kg), and the decrease of unmanufactured tobacco imported into EU. 
Producers’ representatives highlighted in particular: 

the difficulties for small producers who cannot survive without EU direct aid; 

the social aspect with a relatively high number of non-specialised workers (300 000 part-
time in EU); 

the difficulties to find alternative to tobacco growing; 

the “abandonment” of the sector by EU, no more civil dialogue group, need more seats in 
the Civil group of arable crop; 

the lack of agricultural aspect in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) 
I briefly reply: 

Civil dialogue continue to be possible…but the sector need to come with specific subjects on 
which it is necessary to have discussion and then a half day may be dedicated to Tobacco 
within the Civil Dialogue Group on arable crops; 

EU continues to take care of all agricultures, including tobacco growers; however it is true 
that tobacco growers have lost their former privileges, before 2000, when there was specific 
EU aid linked to tobacco production; 

The EU position at the FCTC is coordinated with the MS by the Commission who speaks with 
one voice and it includes the views of DG AGRI. 
 
Chairperson and representatives confirms that they have appreciated the presence of a Commission 
representative in their group.  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 








 
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