# CE2004084EN.01066501.xml

| 3.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 84/665 |
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3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 84/665

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(2004/C 84 E/0749)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0726/04

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(11 March 2004)

Subject:   Aid for producer organisations in the fisheries sector

Subject:

For some time, Italian fisheries associations have been striving to save their trade, not least through a correct and precise interpretation of Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 (1). This Article lays down certain parameters under which aid may be granted by Member States for three years following the recognition of the producer organisation.

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According to the consistent interpretation of the relevant Commissioner, Fischler, this aid must be considered cumulative, as evidenced by the decision of the European Commission of 11 July 2001 SG (2001) D/289689 (State aid No 768/2000 - España (Baleares)); the decision of 20 February 2001 (State aid No 529/2000 - Ireland); the decision of 3 April 2002 (State aid No 803/2001 - España (Andalucía)); and the decision of 3 April 2002 (State aid No 820/2001 - Portugal).

However, the associations mentioned above learnt from the note of 5 February 2004 No 017040 that the Director of DG Fisheries Verstraete, in the interpretation of Article 15 of the above Regulation, intends to restrict the field of application to the more restrictive of the two parameters in question, clearly contrasting with the amount indicated by Commissioner Fischler.

Can the Commission answer the following:

| 1. | What is the correct interpretation and application of Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999? |
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1.

What is the correct interpretation and application of Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999?

| 2. | Which of the two interpretations provided by Commissioner Fischler and by the Director of DG Fisheries respectively should be taken into consideration? |
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2.

Which of the two interpretations provided by Commissioner Fischler and by the Director of DG Fisheries respectively should be taken into consideration?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(31 March 2004)

(31 March 2004)

We can inform the Honourable Member that:

| — | the interpretation to be given to Article 15 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 of 17 December 1999 laying down the detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector (last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2369/2002 (2)) was sent above Mrs Verstraete's signature to the Italian authorities on 5 February (under the reference 17040) and to Legapesca on 16 February (under the reference 017049); |
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the interpretation to be given to Article 15 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 of 17 December 1999 laying down the detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector (last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2369/2002 (2)) was sent above Mrs Verstraete's signature to the Italian authorities on 5 February (under the reference 17040) and to Legapesca on 16 February (under the reference 017049);

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| — | there is no contradiction between these replies and the Commission Decisions to which the Honourable Member refers. |
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there is no contradiction between these replies and the Commission Decisions to which the Honourable Member refers.

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(1)  OJ L 337, 30.12.1999, p. 10.

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(2)  OJ L 358, 31.12.2002.

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