do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4025/97 by Graham WATSON to the Commission. Financial instruments for regional policy funds
Date: 1998-01-14
Institutions: European Parliament, WATSON
Subjects: EU financial instrument, European Investment Bank, European Investment Fund, Structural Funds, regional policy

C 304/8

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

2. 10. 98

(98/C 304/10)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4025/97

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(14 January 1998)

Subject: Financial instruments for regional policy funds

When does the Commission envisage starting studies into possible use of new financial instruments to provide
funds for regional policy?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(12 March 1998)

In the context of Agenda 2000 and the revision of the current structural funds regulations for the period after
1999, the Commission is undertaking a number of studies on the possibilities of using new financial instruments.
It will prepare a report on future cohesion policy support and the use of different financial assistance instruments,
with particular attention to the idea that, in the future, financial support should strike a more judicious balance
between grant aid and other types of funding, such as loans (with or without interest subsidies), loan guarantees
or equity participation, depending on the nature of the investment at hand.

The Commission will consider how the grant financing aid element of structural funds interventions might be
partly replaced, or used to leverage other (eg private) resources, to reduce the burden on the Community budget
but  still  achieve  the  cohesion  impact  desired.  As  part  of  this  exercise,  a  study  on  the  impact  of  financial
engineering measures within a selected number of existing European regional development fund programmes is
currently under way.

After a policy appraisal within the Commission, discussions with the European investment bank (EIB), European
investment  fund  and  selected  institutions  in  Member  States  are  expected  to  develop  technically  the  different
schemes which may be identified. The outcome of these studies and discussions will take into account the new
mandate given to the EIB, following the Amsterdam European Council, to encourage small and medium sized
enterprises (SME) development, possibly making use of venture capital with involvement of the private banking
sector.

(98/C 304/11)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4036/97

by Bryan Cassidy (PPE) to the Commission

(14 January 1998)

Subject: Producer responsibility obligations (packaging waste) regulations, UK 1996

Can the Commission confirm that it is opening infraction proceedings against the UK over its implementation of
the Directive 94/62/EC (1) and list the Commission(cid:146)s complaints?

(1)  OJ L 365, 31.12.1994, p. 10.

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(23 February 1998)

The Commission is able to inform the Honourable Member that there is a current infringement procedure against
the United Kingdom concerning the partial implementation of Parliament and Council Directive 94/62/EC of
20 December 1994 on packaging and packaging waste.
COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 91/98 of 14 January 1998 altering the export refunds on white sugar and raw sugar exported in the natural state
Date: 1998-01-14
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: export refund, raw sugar, white sugar

15. 1. 98

‹

EN

‹

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 9/21

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 91/98

of 14 January 1998

altering the export refunds on white sugar and raw sugar exported in the natural
state

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1785/81
of 30 June 1981 on the common organization of the
markets in the sugar sector (1), as last amended by Regula-
tion (EC) No 1599/96 (2), and in particular the second
subparagraph of Article 19 (4) thereof,

Whereas the refunds on white sugar and raw sugar
exported in the natural state were fixed by Commission
Regulation (EC) No 15/98 (3);

tion known to the Commission that the export refunds at
present in force should be altered to the amounts set out
in the Annex hereto,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The export refunds on the products listed in Article 1 (1)
(a) of Regulation (EEC) No 1785/81, undenatured and
exported in the natural state, as fixed in the Annex to
Regulation (EC) No 15/98 are hereby altered to the
amounts shown in the Annex hereto.

Article 2

Whereas it
follows from applying the detailed rules
contained in Regulation (EC) No 15/98 to the informa-

This Regulation shall enter into force on 15 January
1998.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member
States.

Done at Brussels, 14 January 1998.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 177, 1. 7. 1981, p. 4.
(2) OJ L 206, 16. 8. 1996, p. 43.
(3) OJ L 4, 8. 1. 1998, p. 19.

L 9/22

‹

EN

‹

Official Journal of the European Communities

15. 1. 98

to the Commission Regulation of 14 January 1998 altering the export refunds on white
sugar and raw sugar exported in its unaltered state

ANNEX

Product code

1701 11 90 9100
1701 11 90 9910
1701 11 90 9950
1701 12 90 9100
1701 12 90 9910
1701 12 90 9950

Amount of refund

— ECU/100 kg —

36,66
33,34

36,66
33,34

(1)
(1)
(2)
(1)
(1)
(2)

— ECU/1 % of sucrose × 100 kg —

1701 91 00 9000

0,3985

1701 99 10 9100
1701 99 10 9910
1701 99 10 9950

— ECU/100 kg —

39,85
39,63
39,63

— ECU/1 % of sucrose × 100 kg —

1701 99 90 9100

0,3985

(1) Applicable to raw sugar with a yield of 92 %; if the yield is other than 92 %,
the refund applicable is calculated in accordance with the provisions of
Article 17a (4) of Regulation (EEC) No 1785/81.

(2) Fixing suspended by Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2689/85 (OJ L 255, 26.
9. 1985, p. 12), as amended by Regulation (EEC) No 3251/85 (OJ L 309, 21. 11.
1985, p. 14).
COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 92/98 of 14 January 1998 fixing the maximum export refund for white sugar for the 22nd partial invitation to tender issued within the framework of the standing invitation to tender provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1408/97
Date: 1998-01-14
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: award of contract, export refund, white sugar

15. 1. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 9/23

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 92/98

of 14 January 1998

fixing the maximum export refund for white sugar for the 22nd partial invitation
to tender issued within the framework of the standing invitation to tender
provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1408/97

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1785/81
of 30 June 1981 on the common organization of the
markets in the sugar sector (1), as last amended by Regula-
tion (EC) No 1599/96 (2), and in particular the second
subparagraph of Article 17 (5)

(b) thereof,

Whereas Commission Regulation (EC) No 1408/97 of 22
July 1997 on a standing invitation to tender to determine
levies and/or
refunds on exports of white sugar (3),
requires partial invitations to tender to be issued for the
export of this sugar;

Whereas, pursuant to Article 9 (1) of Regulation (EC) No
1408/97 a maximum export refund shall be fixed, as the
case may be, account being taken in particular of the
state and foreseeable development of the Community and
world markets in sugar, for the partial invitation to tender
in question;

following an examination of

the tenders
Whereas,
submitted in response to the 22nd partial invitation to
tender, the provisions set out in Article 1 should be
adopted;

Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are
in accordance with the opinion of
the Management
Committee for Sugar,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

For the 22nd partial invitation to tender for white sugar
to Regulation (EC) No 1408/97 the
issued pursuant
maximum amount of the export refund is fixed at ECU
42,660 per 100 kilograms.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 15 January
1998.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member
States.

Done at Brussels, 14 January 1998.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 177, 1. 7. 1981, p. 4.
(2) OJ L 206, 16. 8. 1996, p. 43.
(3) OJ L 194, 23. 7. 1997, p. 16.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4001/97 by Rijk van DAM to the Commission. Eel fisheries in Europe
Date: 1998-01-14
Institutions: European Parliament, VAN DAM
Subjects: China, authorised catch, export restriction, fish farming, fishing grounds, fishing industry, fishing vessel, freshwater fish, freshwater fishing, report

C 187/108

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

16. 6. 98

At its meeting in Dublin on 13 and 14 December 1996, the European Council welcomed the designs for the euro
banknotes presented to it by the European Monetary Institute.

The  final  decisions  on  the  matter  will  be  taken  by  the  European  Central  Bank  once  it  has  been  set  up  in
accordance with the Treaty.

(98/C 187/165)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3994/97

by Eva Kjer Hansen (ELDR) to the Commission

(11 December 1997)

Subject: Introduction of rules on the catching and breeding of the common eel

When is a proposal to be submitted for rules on the catching and breeding of the common eel (Anguilla anguilla)?

Can the Commission also indicate the content of any repopulation programmes involved?

Are there any plans to introduce an export ban to stabilize the European market?

(98/C 187/166)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4001/97

by Rijk van Dam (I-EDN) to the Commission

(14 January 1998)

Subject: Eel fisheries in Europe

A group of researchers (EC Concerted Action AIR A94-1939) recently described the size and condition of eel
stocks in Europe. In their final report they conclude that the situation in Europe with regard to eels is grave. One
reason for this is that the migration of elvers from the sea is declining sharply. The researchers also point out that
elver fishing takes up 97% of all young eels as soon as they have reached European waters, mostly for sale to
China.

Does  the  Commission  share  the  view  that  the  situation  in  Europe  with  regard  to  eels  gives  cause  for

1.
concern?

Does it agree that the international character of the problem calls for coordinated measures at European

2.
level?

Does it share the opinion that the large scale removal of elvers to third countries is a threat to eel stocks in

3.
Europe?

If so, is it willing in the near future to restrict the sale of elvers to third countries and to encourage the

4.
placing of elvers in European waters?

Joint answer
to Written Questions P-3994/97 and E-4001/97
given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(30 January 1998)

The Commission is aware of the valuable and growing contribution of the eel cultivation sector to European
aquaculture and of the importance of the eel fisheries in Member States. The dependence on supplies of juvenile
eels caught in the wild will remain for so long as it continues to be impossible to complete the life cycle of this
species in captivity. Juvenile eel is also used for stocking purposes and is important for the commercial fisheries.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 95/98 of 14 January 1998 amending Regulation (EC) No 2133/96 as regards the deadline for payment of the second instalment of the special temporary allowance
Date: 1998-01-14
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Greece, carriage of goods, economic support, export, fresh fruit, fresh vegetable

L 9/28

‹

EN

‹

Official Journal of the European Communities

15. 1. 98

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 95/98

of 14 January 1998

amending Regulation (EC) No 2133/96 as regards the deadline for payment of the
second instalment of the special temporary allowance

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3438/92
of 23 November 1992 laying down special measures for
the transport of certain fresh fruit and vegetables origin-
ating in Greece (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC)
No 1600/96 (2), and in particular Article 3 thereof,

Whereas Commission Regulation (EC) No 2133/96 (3) lays
down detailed rules for the application of the special
measures for the transport of certain fresh fruit and veg-
etables originating in Greece and dispatched in 1996;

Whereas, owing to administrative difficulties arising from
the management of those measures, the competent Greek
authorities have not been able to pay the second instal-
ment of the special temporary allowance by the deadline
laid down in Article 3(3) of that Regulation; whereas the

deadline
extended;

for

that payment

should accordingly be

Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are
in accordance with the opinion of
the Management
Committee for Fruit and Vegetables,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

In Article 3(3) of Regulation (EC) No 2133/96,
October 1997’, is hereby replaced by ‘31 January 1998’.

‘15

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day
following its publication in the Official Journal of the
European Communities.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member
States.

Done at Brussels, 14 January 1998.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 350, 1. 12. 1992, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 206, 16. 8. 1996, p. 45.
(3) OJ L 285, 7. 11. 1996, p. 13.
COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 101/98 of 14 January 1998 fixing the maximum export refunds for olive oil for the fourth partial invitation to tender under the standing invitation to tender issued by Regulation (EC) No 1978/97
Date: 1998-01-14
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: award of contract, export refund, olive oil

15. 1. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 9/35

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 101/98

of 14 January 1998

fixing the maximum export refunds for olive oil for the fourth partial invitation
to tender under the standing invitation to tender issued by Regulation (EC) No
1978/97

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation No 136/66/EEC of
22 September 1966 on the establishment of a common
organisation of the market in oils and fats (1), as last
amended by Regulation (EC) No 1581/96 (2), and in
particular Article 3 thereof,

Whereas Commission Regulation (EC) No 1978/97 (3)
issued a standing invitation to tender with a view to
determining the export refunds on olive oil;

Whereas Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 1978/97
provides that maximum amounts are to be fixed for the
export refunds in the light in particular of the current
situation
the
Community and world olive-oil markets and on the basis
of the tenders received; whereas contracts are awarded to
any tenderer who submits a tender at the level of the
maximum refund or at a lower level;

developments

foreseeable

and

on

Whereas, for the purposes of applying the abovemen-
tioned provisions, the maximum export refunds should
be set at the levels specified in the Annex;

Whereas the Management Committee for Oils and Fats
has not delivered an opinion within the time limit set by
its chairman,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The maximum export refunds for olive oil for the fourth
partial invitation to tender under the standing invitation
to tender issued by Regulation (EC) No 1978/97 are
hereby fixed in the Annex, on the basis of the tenders
submitted by 9 January 1998.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 15 January
1998.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member
States.

Done at Brussels, 14 January 1998.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ 172, 30. 9. 1966, p. 3025/66.
(2) OJ L 206, 16. 8. 1996, p. 11.
(3) OJ L 278, 11. 10. 1997, p. 7.

L 9/36

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

15. 1. 98

ANNEX

to the Commission Regulation of 14 January 1998 fixing the maximum export refunds for
olive oil for the fourth partial invitation to tender under the standing invitation to tender
issued by Regulation (EC) No 1978/97

Product code

Amount of refund

(ECU/100 kg)

1509 10 90 9100

1509 10 90 9900

1509 90 00 9100

1509 90 00 9900

1510 00 90 9100

1510 00 90 9900

9,00



8,00







NB: The product codes and the footnotes are defined in amended

Commission Regulation (EEC) No 3846/87.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4072/97 by Phillip WHITEHEAD to the Commission. Nutritional labelling
Date: 1998-01-14
Institutions: European Parliament, WHITEHEAD
Subjects: consumer information, food inspection, foodstuff, foodstuffs legislation, labelling, nutrition

C 187/120

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

16. 6. 98

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-4070/97 and E-4072/97
given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(30 January 1998)

The  Commission  believes  that  a  safe  and  adequate  supply  of  a  great  variety  of  foods  is  available  today  to
consumers in the Community as a result of a number of Community policies, measures and activities. Correct
and consistent information on food labels but also appropriate knowledge by and education of consumers are
important elements which will help them to select a diet to suit their individual needs.

Nutritional  claims  are  one  important  aspect  of  labelling  and  the  Commission  is  currently  evaluating  the
comments on this specific issue received in response to the Commission(cid:146)s green paper on food law (1) before
deciding on any necessary measures.

(1)  COM(97) 176 final.

(98/C 187/186)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4071/97

by Phillip Whitehead (PSE) to the Commission

(14 January 1998)

Subject: Nutritional labelling

Given the high percentage of pre-packed foods on sale in some countries, does the Commission accept that if
consumers wish to choose a healthy diet, full nutritional labelling is essential for all pre-packed foods and that
labels  should  include  information  on  at  least:  energy,  protein,  carbohydrate,  sugars,  fat,  saturates,  fibre  and
sodium?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(30 January 1998)

Under current Community legislation on nutrition labelling for foodstuffs (1) laid down in Directive 90/496/EEC,
information  on  the  eight  elements  mentioned  can  be  given  voluntarily  and  is  compulsory  in  certain
circumstances stipulated therein.

The Commission had raised the subject and invited comments on the revision of the nutrition labelling directive
in  its  green  paper  on  food  law  published  in  May  1997 (2).  The  Commission  is  currently  evaluating  these
comments but has not yet reached any conclusions on the specific issue raised.

(1)  OJ L 276, 6.10.1990.
(2)  COM(97) 176 final.

(98/C 187/187)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-4080/97

by Luigi Florio (UPE) to the Commission

(18 December 1997)

Subject: Italy(cid:146)s finance policy and the Maastricht criteria

Under the 1998 finance act the Italian Government is preparing to introduce a new tax known as IRAP (= regional
tax on production).

The  significant  features  of  this  tax  are  that  it  will  fall  particularly  heavily  on  natural  and  legal  persons  who
employ staff and who have contracted debts (neither the wages paid to employees nor the interest incurred on
debts are tax-deductible under IRAP) and that it cannot be offset against income tax.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4074/97 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Tobacco and tobacco growers
Date: 1998-01-14
Institutions: European Parliament, KAKLAMANIS
Subjects: Greece, import (EU), less-favoured agricultural area, less-favoured region, tobacco, tobacco industry, unemployment

9. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 310/11

(98/C 310/11)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4068/97

by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission

(14 January 1998)

Subject: Report of the Court of Auditors

The Annual Report of the Court of Auditors concerning the financial year 1996, volume I, contains a statement,
on page 351, second column, that there are doubts as to compliance with the rules for granting subsidies provided
for in Article A-304. In this connection reference is made to an association which regularly receives significant
funds from the Community budget.

Which association is being referred to here?

Who is the authorized representative of that association?

What projects were being subsidized?

What are the objects of that association?

What measures have been taken to put right the abuses noted in this case?

Have the misused funds been recovered?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(10 March 1998)

The association is the European Movement, International Secretariat. The President of the European Movement
is Mr Soares. The Secretary General is Mr Dastoli.

The  grant  is  intended  to  cover  the  organisation(cid:146)s  programme  of  activities  to  promote  the  idea  of  European
integration and to enable it to act as a network resource for national organisations of the European Movement.

The Commission(cid:146)s financial controller carried out audits of the organisation in 1996 and 1997 and is satisfied that
the situation has been put right. An amount of ECU 145 330 has been recovered and the grant specified by the
budget authority for 1998 is now ECU 300 000.

The Commission would point out that, as in many cases of recurring grants, the beneficiary and the amount are
specified as such in the budget by the budget authority.

(98/C 310/12)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4074/97

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(14 January 1998)

Subject: Tobacco and tobacco growers

European tobacco production currently covers only about 25% of demand and any reduction thereof will simply
increase the already enormous volume of imports from third countries which already meet 75% of demand in the
European Union.

Current downward trends in EU tobacco production will have disastrous consequences for certain countries to
the south, in particular Greece, where 70 000 families engaged in tobacco growing and 400 000 people directly or
indirectly involved in the growing, processing, distribution and marketing of tobacco products will be faced with
the spectre of unemployment.

Tobacco is known to account for 13% of total agricultural exports from Greece. Clearly no alternative form of
agriculture  production  on  small  plots  of  land  situated  in  less  favoured  regions  could  provide  the  families  of
tobacco producers with sufficient income for them to continue working the land.