ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1417/97 by Christoph Konrad (PPE) to the Commission (23 April 1997)

Subject: Distortion of competition by state subsidies for renewable energy sources, in particular wind-power generators

1. Has the German Federal Government already answered the Commission's complaint in the form of a letter of 25 October 1996 on the high levels of subsidy provided for under electricity feeder-supply legislation for the operation of wind-power generators?

2. If the Commission is not satisfied with the answer will it introduce more extensive measures?

3. On what legal basis can the distortion of competition by this specific subsidy be reconciled with the principle of free competition?

4. Is the Commission reviewing corresponding feeder-supply legislation in the other Member States of the European Union? Where findings equivalent to those recorded in the Federal Republic are established are the same complaints submitted to the governments concerned?

5. Will the Commission specify a period within which this type of subsidy must be completely abolished?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (29 May 1997)

1. and 2. In reply to the Commission the German minister of economics agreed that the additional burden due to the German electricity supply regulation (SEG - Stromeinspeisungsgesetz) especially in the coastal regions must not increase unchanged and referred to a draft proposal of the Bundesrat concerning an amendment of the SEG. The German government is presently examining a limitation or reduction of the minimum price prescribed by the SEG and in that process is also taking into account the proposals of the Commission.

The Commission intends to await the result of that debate before deciding on further measures. If the German parliament decides to amend the law, modifications will probably be subject to prior notification pursuant to Article 93 (3) EC Treaty to allow the Commission to assess whether the law is in accordance with the regulations on state aid. If the debate in Bonn does not lead to an amendment of the SEG, the Commission may consider whether to propose appropriate measures (Article 93 (1) EC Treaty) to the German government.

3. In 1990, the Commission approved the SEG notified by Germany on the basis of Article 93 (3) EC Treaty. Since then, the situation on the market for wind energy has changed fundamentally. Several complaints have been made to the Commission by electricity companies. If the promotion of wind energy continues unchanged pursuant to the SEG,the Commission will check its compatibility under Community state aid law.

4. The Commission approved a Danish law in 1996, which the Commission considers less trade distorting than the German SEG.

5. The Commission does presently not intend to present a time frame for abolition of this type of subsidy, but to apply its general principles on state aid to each case individually when notifications are submitted.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0991/97 by Miguel Arias Cañete (PPE) to the Commission (17 March 1997)

Subject: Farmers in Belgium

Will the Commission say how many farmers there are in Belgium and how many people are directly employed in agriculture in that country at the present time?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0989/97, E-0990/97, E-0991/97, E-0992/97, E-0993/97, E-0994/97, E-0995/97, E-0996/97, E-0997/97, E-0998/97, E-0999/97, E-1000/97, E-1001/97, E-1002/97 and E-1003/97 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (2 May 1997)

Survey on the structure of farms

>TABLE>

Source: Eurostat.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1237/97 by Paul Lannoye (V) to the Commission (8 April 1997)

Subject: The building of a sorting centre for household waste at Havré in the region of Mons-Borinage-Centre (under Objective 1 - Hainaut, Axis 2)

ITRADEC (a body covering several administrative areas in Belgium) has submitted an application for a subsidy under the Objective 1 programme for the Hainaut region to build a sorting centre for household waste which would, at a later stage, incorporate a biomethanation plant for the treatment of organic waste. The site chosen for the sorting centre is in a non-industrial area designated under a local development plan.

In theory a sorting centre for waste with a biomethanation plant should not be built in this area. According to the Directorate-General for Land Planning in the Walloon Regional Authority, an exception to this rule could only be granted if the incidence study gave all the necessary guarantees to the local authorities and the local inhabitants that the plan would not be detrimental to the environment or the landscape.

The incidence study carried out for the project only looked at the sorting centre and, in the opinion of the Walloon Environmental Council for Sustainable Development, is therefore incomplete. The study shows that, from an urban planning perspective, building the centre on the Havré site is not the most appropriate solution and that it would constitute an eyesore (this opinion is shared by the Walloon Environmental Council). The addition of a biomethanation plant would only exacerbate the problem and should have been taken into account.

Does the Commission intend to make it a requirement that an incidence study be carried out into the overall project, given that the plant would be built in a non-industrial sector designated under the local development plan?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1236/97 and E-1237/97 given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (2 May 1997)

In accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, the competent national and regional authorities are responsible for implementing the operational programmes part-financed by the Structural Funds and, consequently, the measures decided on in that context. In addition, the project in question is subject to the rules in the single programming document (SPD) for Hainault ((Decision C(94)1450 (Article 2c) of the Commission, 14.6.1994. )), which provide in particular for compliance with the rules on the environment.

Available information, in particular concerning the assessment of the environmental effects of the project in question, does not show any infringement of Community law.

The issues raised should therefore be dealt with by the Walloon authorities, as regards both the location of the sorting centre and the feasibility studies to be carried out.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1099/97 by Jesús Cabezón Alonso (PSE) to the Commission (21 March 1997)

Subject: Aid to the fishing fleet

Are reports that the Commission has suspended aid to the fishing fleet true?

If so, what are the Commission's grounds for taking this step?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (12 May 1997)

The Commission can confirm to the Honourable Member that Community assistance for the Community fishing fleet has been suspended with effect from 1 January 1997, for the following reasons.

- The third generation of multiannual guidance programmes (MAGP III) expired on 31 December 1996. These multiannual guidance programmes are essential tools in programming structural aid. Without such multiannual guidance programmes, the current rules and regulations prohibit the granting of aid. All aid for the fleet (everything covered by Title II of Regulation (EC) No 3699/93 taken as a whole, i.e. assistance for modernization/new construction and aid to help adjust fishing effort) must be granted within the framework of an approved programme.

- Member States are also still required to make sure that the fishing effort represented by their fleet does not exceed the targets set for the end of the MAGP III period. This obligation derives in particular from Article 1 of the Decision adopted by the Council at its meeting on 20 December 1993 (94/15/EC) and from Article 5 of the EC Treaty.

Accordingly, all Community part-financing of the measures referred to in Articles 7 to 10 of Regulation (EC) No 3699/93 has been suspended as from 1 January 1997 for all the Member States and for all measures affecting the fleet.

However, the Council had taken note that, if it could adopt the MAGP IV programmes by 30 April 1997 (but with effect of course from 1 January 1997), any measures undertaken by Member States after 1 January this year involving the restructuring of fishing fleets would qualify for part-financing by the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance.

The suspension of the part-financing of national aid does not mean that the national aid schemes themselves are suspended, provided these are state aid schemes approved by the Commission under Article 92 of the EC Treaty. However, funding of new construction and the modernization of vessels is authorized only if the original targets under a country's MAGP III were attained by 31 December 1996 and provided that the new assistance contributes to meeting the targets of the MAGP IV programmes finally adopted by the Council on 15 April 1997.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1231/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (7 April 1997)

Subject: Sewage treatment plant in Thessaloniki

Project No 94/09/61/043 entitled 'Completion of sewage treatment plant in the tourist area of Thessalonki' was included in the Cohesion Fund in 1995 and was due to be completed by 31.12.1996.

Will the Commission say:

1. whether the above project has been completed;

2. if not, what stage it has reached (funding, construction work); and

3. if there are delays, what these are due to?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (30 April 1997)

According to the information communicated to the Commission by the Greek authorities in March 1997, work on the construction of the waste-water treatment facilities in Thessaloniki has been completed. The facilities are now undergoing operational trials.

The Greek authorities can therefore apply to the Commission for the relevant payments to be made.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1394/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (22 April 1997)

Subject: Destruction of the natural environment in Cyprus caused by army exercises

The Akama peninsula is one of the few regions of the free part of Cyprus to have remained untouched by development. Its natural beauty is proverbial and its ecological importance is evidenced by the fact that 33 plants are indigenous to the region.

However, the Akama peninsula is suffering unprecedented damage owing to the constant military exercises held by the British forces which have repeatedly caused forest fires. In 1988, for example, three fires destroyed 53 hectares of land, while in 1995 there were two fires in which a further seven hectares of land were destroyed.

If this state of affairs continues, it is virtually certain to lead to the total destruction of the Akama peninsula by uncontrolled fires; the cultural damage is also unprecedented, since the territory on which the British exercises take place contains sixteen recognized archaeological sites which have yet to be excavated.

This is an exceptionally serious matter, since Cyprus is a candidate for accession to the European Union, and the European Union has an acknowledged commitment to protect the natural environment and Europe's cultural heritage.

Will the Commission say whether it has been officially notified of this matter and, if so, what measures it intends to take forthwith to put an end to the damage being caused to the Akama peninsula, whoever is responsible?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (30 May 1997)

The Commission is aware of the facts reported by the Honourable Member.

To ensure that natural resources are protected and conserved in the Akamas peninsula the Commission has since 1988 financed a number of projects in the area through its MEDSPA/LIFE programme ((OJ L 206, 22.7.1992. )).

The Commission has not, however, been officially informed by the Cypriot authorities of military matters which, moreover, are outside its jurisdiction and concern relations between the Cyprus and United Kingdom governments.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1079/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (21 March 1997)

Subject: Recycling of motor vehicles

It is reported that a directive will shortly be adopted making it compulsory for automobile manufacturers to gather together old vehicles and their spare parts.

Will the Commission say when this directive is scheduled to be adopted, when it will enter into effect, and whether it will affect only cars or heavy vehicles too?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (6 May 1997)

The Commission intends to submit a proposal for a directive on the management of end of life vehicles. The Commission has not yet finalised the contents of this initiative. The adoption of the proposal is foreseen for this year.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0327/97 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (13 February 1997)

Subject: CMO for olive oil: expenditure on refunds in Greece

The Court of Auditors' annual report for the financial year 1995 shows that the 1996 budget provided for EAGGF Guarantee Section expenditure on olive oil totalling ECU 1781 million. Even though this figure is in line with expenditure between 1991 and 1993, expenditure was far lower in 1995, when it stood at only ECU 812.5 million.

Of this expenditure, refunds on olive oil accounted for ECU 38.2 million and ECU 40 million in 1995 and 1996 respectively.

What is the total figure for expenditure in respect of refunds on olive oil in Greece?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0320/97, E-0321/97, E-0322/97, E-0323/97, E-0324/97, E-0325/97, E-0326/97, E-0327/97, E-0328/97, E-0329/97, E-0330/97, E-0331/97, E-0332/97, E-0333/97, E-0334/97, E-0335/97, E-0336/97, E-0337/97, E-0338/97, E-0339/97, E-0340/97, E-0341/97, E-0342/97, E-0343/97 and E-0344/97 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (6 March 1997)

The Honourable Member will find the figure he requests in the table below. Total Community expenditure under the 1995 and 1996 budgets was 812.5 and 2007.7 million ecus respectively. The discrepancy with the totals in the table largely relates to payments for olive oil promotion action. The 1995 budget is much lower than for 1996 (and 1994) because the 1994/95 prices package included a decision to move the payment date. This meant that the 1995 budget made no provision for 1994/95 marketing year payments but only for outstanding ones from 1993/94.

(in MECU)

>TABLE>
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0326/97 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission (13 February 1997)

Subject: CMO for olive oil: expenditure on refunds in France

The Court of Auditors' annual report for the financial year 1995 shows that the 1996 budget provided for EAGGF Guarantee Section expenditure on olive oil totalling ECU 1781 million. Even though this figure is in line with expenditure between 1991 and 1993, expenditure was far lower in 1995, when it stood at only ECU 812.5 million.

Of this expenditure, refunds on olive oil accounted for ECU 38.2 million and ECU 40 million in 1995 and 1996 respectively.

What is the total figure for expenditure in respect of refunds on olive oil in France?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0320/97, E-0321/97, E-0322/97, E-0323/97, E-0324/97, E-0325/97, E-0326/97, E-0327/97, E-0328/97, E-0329/97, E-0330/97, E-0331/97, E-0332/97, E-0333/97, E-0334/97, E-0335/97, E-0336/97, E-0337/97, E-0338/97, E-0339/97, E-0340/97, E-0341/97, E-0342/97, E-0343/97 and E-0344/97 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (6 March 1997)

The Honourable Member will find the figure he requests in the table below. Total Community expenditure under the 1995 and 1996 budgets was 812.5 and 2007.7 million ecus respectively. The discrepancy with the totals in the table largely relates to payments for olive oil promotion action. The 1995 budget is much lower than for 1996 (and 1994) because the 1994/95 prices package included a decision to move the payment date. This meant that the 1995 budget made no provision for 1994/95 marketing year payments but only for outstanding ones from 1993/94.

(in MECU)

>TABLE>
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0665/97 by Antonio Tajani (UPE) to the Commission (6 March 1997)

Subject: Delays in the utilization of structural funds by the Region of Lazio

The serious economic and employment situation in Lazio calls for increasingly frequent recourse to Community measures to assist small and medium-sized undertakings. Yet the dilatory behaviour of the regional government is jeopardising the possibility of exploiting the opportunities offered by the European Union.

1. Why did the Commission reject, last August, the single programming document for the Lazio region for 1997-1999? Is it true that the Lazio region has not yet sent a new, revised DOCUP?

2. Is it true that the DOCUP for Lazio was the only Italian regional document rejected?

3. What will be the consequences for the region's economy of the major delay caused by the Lazio regional authority?

4. Do exceptional compensatory instruments exist for commercial operators whose access to European funds is severely delayed by no fault of their own?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (23 April 1997)

The objective 2 conversion plan for the Lazio region presented by the Italian authorities on 8 August 1996 was not accepted for processing by the Commission because it was incomplete in a number of important respects (e.g. lack of information on measures, no ex-ante appraisal). The Lazio plan was indeed the only Italian plan not accepted.

Further information received by the Commission on 3 October 1996 enabled it to define its negotiating position for discussions in Rome on 6 November. The Commission still awaits a revised version of the Lazio document to take account of these discussions.

In the absence of a revised proposal, the new single programming document for Lazio for 1997-1999 cannot be approved. This may have a detrimental impact on the region to the extent that measures are not implemented pending this approval. The Commission will continue to insist with the Italian authorities that they revise their proposal but cannot take responsibility for the delays which may occur on the ground.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1448/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (28 April 1997)

Subject: Unemployment rate in Greece

'Europe' of 3 March 1997 re-produced figures for unemployment in the EU Member States, Japan and the USA from Eurostat publications 'Chômage/2/97' and 'Unemployment 2/97' under the title 'Weekly Europe Selected No. 996'. However, as we have repeatedly pointed out, these statistics did not include figures for unemployment in Greece.

Will the Commission say:

1. why the figures for unemployment in Greece do not appear, and

2. what measures it is taking to ensure that the Greek unemployment figures duly appear at the correct time in the various publications?

Answer by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (20 June 1997)

1. The unemployment rates published by Eurostat are established in accordance with the recommendations of the International Labour Office on the basis of the labour force sample survey results. In implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3711/91 ((OJ L 351 of 20.12.1991. )), this survey is carried out in all the Member States in the spring of each year and thus shows the unemployment rate for that period. In the case of Greece, the labour force survey gives the unemployment rate for the second quarter, but there is no indicator which can provide a valid estimate of the unemployment rate outside that period.

2. As from 1998, The National Statistical Service of Greece is planning to implement a continuous labour force survey which will provide quarterly unemployment rates. The Commission will publish these data as soon as they are available.
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1432/97 by Olivier Dupuis (ARE) to the Commission (16 April 1997)

Subject: Taiwan

In July 1996, Parliament adopted resolution B4-0877/96 ((OJ C 261, 9.9.1996, p. 169. )) on Taiwan's role in international organizations. In addition and subsequently, a new budget line (B7-6601) created in the 1997 budget by Parliament provides the Commission with the framework for the establishment of a EU/Taiwan cooperation agreement, including the opening of an EU office in Taipei.

What actions has the Commission undertaken so far to implement both the resolution and the B7-6601 budget line?

What measures have been adopted with a view to opening the EU office in Taipei?

Furthermore, could the Commission indicate what the status is of the EU-Taiwan meetings, the EU-Taiwan cooperation in the field of science and technology, and the cooperation with the universities of Taiwan?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (13 May 1997)

Although there are no meetings with the Taiwan authorities at Community level, the Commission does maintain links with Taiwan consistent with the absence of diplomatic recognition. The main link is an annual commercial consultation meeting between the Commission and Taiwan, which discusses matters of mutual interest in the commercial sphere. In addition, the Commission maintains contacts with interested parties in Taiwan in areas including science and technology and European studies, which focus on building ties between Community universities and their Taiwan counterparts. The Commission also pursues close contacts with Taiwan in the current negotiations on WTO accession.

The action proposed to the Commission in resolution B4-0877/96 is the adoption of measures with a view to the opening of a Commission information office in Taipei. The Commission believes that (resources permitting) there is a good case for establishing an office to pursue Community commercial and cooperation policies in Taipei. Such an office could operate on the same informal basis as the commercial and other offices which many countries maintain in Taiwan, including most Member States. Such an office could already perform useful tasks under the current Community market access strategy, and would certainly be even more important once Taiwan is a member of WTO. The opening of an office limited to information work would not be cost-effective.

No resources were allocated to budget line B7-6601 under the 1997 budget, so no action has yet been taken.