WRITTEN QUESTION E-0231/02

by Arlindo Cunha (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 February 2002)

Subject: Implementation of the CSF in the forestry sector in Portugal

When the Community support framework for Portugal was approved, the Minister of Agriculture announced the Government's intention to invest PTE 200 billion in the forestry sector. However, information from those working in the sector indicates that the rates of execution (aid agreements between the State and beneficiaries) both under the AGRO programme (Measure No 3) and under RURIS (afforestation of agricultural land) are well below the levels agreed with the Commission, which may lead to Community appropriations being transferred to other States after 2002.

In view of this scenario, can the Commission say what the material and financial rates of execution of these measures (in the form of contracts, not merely approved projects) are?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(22 March 2002)

As part of the Portuguese Community Support Framework for 2000-2006, part-financed by the Structural Funds, the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund, Guidance Section, will assist the forestry sector in mainland Portugal through a measure to develop sustainable forestry under the Agriculture and Rural Development Operational Programme (approved by the Commission on 30 October 2000). Planned public expenditure for the period amounts to 239,5 million, including an EAGGF Guidance Section contribution of 119,8 million.

According to the most recent information provided at the third meeting of the Monitoring Committee for this programme on 22 November 2001, public expenditure committed to the measure in question since the start of the programme amounts to 30,5 million, 15,6 million of which is borne by the EAGGF Guidance Section.

Under the financial rules governing the Structural Funds the funding allocated to the programmes can be committed up to 31 December 2006 and the related expenditure can be incurred up to 31 December 2008. The financial penalties laid down in Article 31(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds(1) do not apply to individual measures nor do they provide for any transfer of funds whatsoever to other Member States. The EAGGF Guidance Section has already made two intermediate payments under this programme.

Furthermore, under the rural development plan for mainland Portugal financed by the EAGGF Guarantee Section and adopted by the Commission on 22 November 2000, Portugal benefits from an afforestation of arable land measure on which the planned public expenditure in the 2000-2006 period amounts to 470 million, 352 million of it coming from the EAGGF Guarantee Section. By 15 October 2001 the Commission had paid Portugal 72,7 million, corresponding to actual public expenditure of approximately 98 million.

The financial rules laid down in Article 39 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1750/1999 of 23 July 1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 on support for rural development from the European Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF)(2) apply to the plan, regardless of the amounts spent on each measure.

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

(2) OJ L 214, 13.8.1999.