Portugal has pressed for a resumption of the European Union’s funding of the International Olive Oil Council for the promotion of olive oil in non-EU countries where demand is low, (such as the USA, Australia and Japan).
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Lisbon, backed by the Italian, Greek and Spanish delegations, told the European Commission at a recent Council of Ministers meeting that the subsidies were important for boosting EU exports of the product.
They were suspended after the Commission found fault with the tendering procedures of the olive oil council, which distributes the money, (representing 91% of its promotional budget). The work of the olive oil council is currently under review.
