WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1850/97 by Daniela RASCHHOFER to the Commission. EU subsidies for British whisky
Date: 1997-05-30
Institutions: European Parliament, RASCHHOFFER
Subjects: EU aid, United Kingdom, cereals, common organisation of markets, distillation, export, export refund, production aid, spirits

C 60/58

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

25. 2. 98

As  far  as  penalties  are  concerned  (points  seven  and  eight),  the  Commission  would  point  out  that  a  range  of
penalties exist (both administrative and criminal) and would add that it is the responsibility of the Member States
to  apply  such  penalties.  For  example,  under  the  provisions  of  Regulation  (EEC)  No  2677/85 (3),  as  regards
consumption aid and depending on the seriousness of the infringement, Member States apply:

› 

› 

the payment of an amount equal to between 3 and 8 times the aid improperly applied for;

the withdrawal of approval for a period from 1 to 3 years where the quantity for which aid has been unduly
applied for is at least 20% of the total quantity subject to checking for which entitlement to aid has been
recognised.

The Commission would finally underline that it does not systematically receive information on sanctions decided
by national authorities from the Member States.

(1)  OJ C 373, 9.12.1997, p. 57.
(2)  COM(97) 57 final.
(3)  OJ L 254, 25.9.1985, as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 887/96, OJ L 119, 16.5.1996. 

(98/C 60/88)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1850/97

by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission

(30 May 1997)

Subject: EU subsidies for British whisky

How does the Commission justify EU subsidies of ECU 40 million per annum to the whisky industry in Great
Britain?

Were any subsidies granted in 1996?

If so, how much?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(8 July 1997)

Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92 of 30 June 1992 on the common organisation of the market in cereals (1) provides
for refunds to be granted so that cereals can be exported, either unprocessed or in the form of certain goods not
covered by Annex II to the EC Treaty. These refunds make up the difference between the price of cereals on the
Community market and on the world market respectively. The criteria for granting the refunds are adjusted to the
extent necessary to take account of the processes involved in manufacturing certain spirits made from cereals
which require a long ageing period. Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2825/93 lays down detailed rules for the
application of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92 as regards the fixing and granting of adjusted refunds in
respect of cereals exported in the form of certain spirit drinks (2).

The export refunds on barley in the form of whisky produced in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Spain have
fallen considerably and in 1996 amounted to only ECU 8.27 million.

(1)  OJ L 181, 1.7.1992.
(2)  OJ L 258, 16.12.1993.

(98/C 60/89)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1858/97

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(30 May 1997)

Subject: Agreement between Alitalia S.p.A. and the taxi services cooperative (cid:145)3570(cid:146)

The administrative office of the airline Alitalia S.p.A. at the airport of Fiumicino has concluded an agreement
with  the  taxi  services  cooperative  (cid:145)3570(cid:146)  for  the  transport  of  passengers  from  their  homes  to  the  Leonardo
da Vinci airport at Fiumicino.