WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2614/97 by Marjo MATIKAINEN-KALLSTRÖM to the Commission. Wood chippings as biofuel
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, MATIKAINEN-KALLSTROEM
Subjects: EU aid, EU programme, Finland, biomass, biotechnology, energy technology, environmental protection, power plant, renewable energy, substitute fuel

3. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 102/73

(98/C 102/107)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2611/97

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Organic farming practices

Does  the  Commission  recognize  that  at  present  the  proposed  organic  livestock  regulation  is  causing  great
concern  for  many  organic  farmers  who  are  undertaking  a  conversion  to  organic  farming  practices  and  those
wishing to convert?

The proposals will prohibit farmers from rearing the same species organically and conventionally on a single
holding.  Does  the  Commission  recognize  that  this  policy  will  impede  the  expansion  of  organic  farming
throughout the EU?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(3 October 1997)

The Commission proposal (1) for a Council regulation supplementing Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 on organic
production of agricultural products and indications referring thereto on agricultural products and foodstuffs (2) to
include livestock production, includes a provision prohibiting the rearing of the same livestock species on the
conventional and organic units of the same holding.

This provision is coherent with a similar provision for crop products in Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91, as adopted
in 1991, and is essential to ensure credibility of organic husbandry to the consumer.

In the opinion delivered in its session of May 1997, the Parliament accepted the Commission(cid:146)s proposal on this
subject and did not propose any amendment.

(1)  COM(96) 366.
(2)  OJ L 198, 22.7.1991.

(98/C 102/108)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2614/97

by Marjo Matikainen-Kallstro¤m (PPE) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Wood chippings as biofuel

In Finland a comparative study has been carried out on the relative prices of biofuels and heavy fuel oil and the
regional economic effects of their use. The study arose in connection with the planned construction of a 5 MW
district heating plant in which heat would be produced using forest wood chippings instead of heavy heating oil.

According to the study, the arguments in favour of the use of wood chippings as biofuel are its environmental
compatibility and its local provenance. The production of wood chippings employs local people not only directly
but also indirectly through transport and other services.

In the light of the experience gained in Finland, what kinds of programmes does the EU have to support the
construction of heating plants of this kind burning biofuel, and what additional measures does the Commission
propose to take to support job-creating and environmentally acceptable projects in this field?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(14 October 1997)

A  distinction  may  be  drawn  between  various  types  of  support  for  facilities  using  biomass  (including  wood
chippings) as their raw material.