WRITTEN QUESTION E-3058/01

by Vincenzo Lavarra (PSE) and Giovanni Pittella (PSE) to the Commission

(5 November 2001)

Subject: Request for extension of the deadline for completion of multi-regional operational programmes

Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/93(1) and subsequent decisions relating to it are about to expire, and the benefits deriving from the Regulation will come to an end as of 31 December 2001. In the context of the Community support framework concerning Objective 1 regions for the period 1994-1999, the Italian Ministry for Agricultural and Forestry Policy is responsible for programming and managing two multi-regional operational programmes. The implementation of the two programmes, the completion of which is of vital strategic importance for Italy, has been subject to substantial delays because of unforeseen problems emerging over the years (slow bureaucratic procedures, the BSE crisis and foot-and-mouth, the demoralisation of farmers, the slowness of markets, etc.). For these reasons the Ministry has requested an extension of the time limit for the completion of the programmes.

In view of the above and the fact that both the programmes are at an important stage in their implementation and in order to prevent the deadline of 31 December this year from invalidating the work done so far, can the Commission grant an extension of at least 12 months, in order to help remedy the situation outlined above?

(1) OJ L 193, 31.7.1993, p. 5.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(28 November 2001)

The Honourable Members ask about an application to extend the time limit for national execution of expenditure on two multiregional operational programmes (MOPs) managed by the Ministry for Agricultural and Forestry Policy (MIPAF) and part-financed by the EAGGF Guidance Section under the Community Support Framework (CSF) for Italian Objective 1 regions for 1994-1999. The MOPs involved concern services for the commercial exploitation of agricultural products from southern Italy and support activities for services involved in agricultural development.

On the issue of whether such an extension is possible, it should be borne in mind that the Commission is responsible for the execution of the budget of the European Union and accordingly must ensure compliance with the rules in force and all decisions taken.

The Commission considers that an extension of a programme can be entertained only in cases of force majeure such as large-scale disasters, and cases treated in the same way as force majeure, which have far-reaching consequences for the implementation of aid/assistance granted by the Structural Funds, or in the event of a clearly identified mistake, including all technical errors, for which the Commission itself is responsible. Since these conditions have not been met, the Commission has been unable to grant the request of the Italian authorities for an extension of the two programmes in question.

Regarding the arguments advanced by the Honourable Members, the Commission is of the opinion that the conditions referred to above are not met either. As a consequence, the Commission cannot grant the requested 12-month extension for the two programmes managed by MIPAF.