# CE2004084EN.01063901.xml

| 3.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 84/639 |
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3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 84/639

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(2004/C 84 E/0719)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0619/04

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(1 March 2004)

Subject:   Damage caused by extreme weather conditions in Greece

Subject:

Heavy snowfall and exceptionally low temperatures have caused widespread serious and damage to plant and stockbreeding production, to stocks of plants and animals and to agricultural installations (greenhouses, livestock housing, etc.) in many parts of Greece.

Given that producers' incomes and the means of production have been very badly affected, will the Commission say:

| 1. | Will it fund actions to compensate producers for loss of income and the replacement of the means of productions which have been affected? |
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1.

Will it fund actions to compensate producers for loss of income and the replacement of the means of productions which have been affected?

| 2. | What scope is there for using funds from the Operational Programme on agricultural development 2000-2006 or reserves from the third CSF? |
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2.

What scope is there for using funds from the Operational Programme on agricultural development 2000-2006 or reserves from the third CSF?

| 3. | Will it approve a national programme for granting aid, if requested to do so by Greece? |
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3.

Will it approve a national programme for granting aid, if requested to do so by Greece?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(30 March 2004)

(30 March 2004)

The Commission has not yet received detailed information from Greece concerning the impact on agriculture caused by the adverse weather conditions that affected the Member State during the month of February 2004. Depending on the magnitude of this damage, Community solidarity funds may be available to help rural areas overcome the problems they are facing as soon as possible and to rebuild production potential. In addition, if these adverse weather conditions have destroyed the production potential, European Agriculture Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) assistance may be possible inside of the financial allocation for Greece for the programming period 2000-2006 and more specifically through the implementation of the ‘National Operational Programme — Rural Development (2000-2006)’. However, it should be underlined that for the moment there are no funds available and consequently a reprogramming procedure will be necessary. The Greek authorities are entitled to submit a request to redefine the programming priorities and the corresponding financial allocations within the context of the current mid-term review. It should be emphasised that EAGGF intervention will be limited to reconstituting production potential and does not cover the income losses which are not eligible.

It should be noted that the allocation of the performance and programming reserves of the 3rd EU — Greece Community Support Framework have already been executed at national level, providing for, among other programmes, the financial reinforcement of the ‘National Operational Programme — Rural Development (2000-2006)’. It is up to the Ministry of Agriculture to propose reallocating of necessary funds to the appropriate section of the programme during the current mid-term review.

The Commission will be able to approve a national aid programme notified to it under Article 88(3) of the EC Treaty provided all relevant conditions stipulated in the Community Guidelines for State Aid in the Agriculture Sector are met.

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