Brussels, 14/07/2000 (Agence Europe) - The professional agricultural organisations COPA and COGECA consider that the proposals recently adopted by the European Commission to reform the Common Market Organisation (CMO) of fruit and vegetables (see EUROPE of 13 July, p.12) are insufficient and incomplete. They consider that the single ceiling of 3% proposed by calculating Community aid to producer organisations is insufficient and should be increased to 4.5%. As far as processed tomato, peach and pear products are concerned, COPA and COGECA reject the Commission's proposal aimed at abandoning the minimum price mechanism. They consider that the levels of processing thresholds and aid proposed are insufficient and based on the most pessimistic hypothesis. The two professional organisations also denounce the proposed reduction of 50% of the quantity of citrus fruit that may be withdrawn from the market. This proposal constitutes an "annoying precedent" on the road to giving up the withdrawal mechanism that must play the role of safety net in order to meet crisis situations in the economic field and stabilise the fruit and vegetables market. They also affirm that sufficient budgetary resources must be set aside so that this sector, which employs over two million, may be reformed in an equitable manner.