WRITTEN QUESTION E-1439/01

by Hedwig Keppelhoff-Wiechert (PPE-DE), Jean-Louis Bourlanges (PPE-DE) and Jan Mulder (ELDR) to the Commission

(17 May 2001)

Subject: SOS countryside telephone service

The consequences of the present crises in the farming sector, with outbreaks of BSE and foot-and-mouth disease in several Member States, have put an enormous strain on the farming community.

Under budget line B3-301 (Information Outlets), SOS countryside telephone services are eligible for EU funding. In the past this telephone service has proved helpful in helping people in the countryside coping with the consequences of, among other matters, disease outbreaks.

From the year 2000 onwards, Commission services have refused to implement the funding provision for these services, notwithstanding the fact that the Budgetary Authority explicitly put this activity into the budget.

In view of the present circumstances in the farming sector, is the Commission intending to implement the clear will of the Budgetary Authority?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(27 July 2001)

Budget chapter B3-30, which includes line B3-301 (Information Outlets), is intended to fund information and communication measures.

Under this policy, the Commission has set up a telephone service called Europe Direct, which provides useful information. Naturally, it is also aimed at members of the farming community who can use it to obtain information of general interest.

The Commission also funds the Rural Information and Promotion Carrefours, which currently have 130 members. The Carrefours are relays funded by the Commission, with which they have signed an agreement, and are run by host organisations active in the rural community, such as Chambers of Agriculture, development agencies and local government bodies. They can be found in all the regions of Europe, are open to everyone and receive regular documentary information and training from the Commission so as to be in a position to inform farmers on matters of interest.

The Commission believes that information activities are sufficiently covered by these two structures.

Between 1996 and 1999, under budget line B2-5122 (Enhancing Public Awareness of the Common Agricultural Policy), the Commission funded the activities of the Enfsos network, which provides social assistance. Ever since the budget for the year 2000, information activities concerning the CAP have been financed under budget line B1-382 under Council Regulation (EC) No 814/2000 of 17 April 2000 on information measures relating to the common agricultural policy(1). Social activities are not included within this framework. This aspect of social assistance, which is not covered by the abovementioned structures, may not be funded under line B3-301, as it falls neither under information nor communication.

The Members of the Commission responsible for agriculture and the budget have already explained this situation in their letters to Mr Mulder dated 27 July 2000 and 19 October 2000. These letters suggested looking into funding this type of activity under rural development programmes run by the regional and local authorities or within the framework of the Leader Community initiative.

The Member of the Commission responsible for the budget also drew Parliament's attention to this point in her letter of 1 December 2000 to Mr Wynn, the Chairman of the Committee on Budgets, concerning the implementing problems regarding the 2001 budget procedure.

(1) OJ L 100, 20.4.2000.