WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1243/98 by Bárbara DÜHRKOP DÜHRKOP to the Commission. Subsidy granted to Burgos City Council under the EEA financial mechanism
Date: 1998-04-09
Institutions: DUEHRKOP DUEHRKOP, European Parliament
Subjects: European Economic Area, European Investment Bank, Spain, archaeology, cultural heritage, economic support, heritage protection, town planning, use of aid

C 402/100

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

22.12.98

(98/C 402/128)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1243/98

by BÆrbara D(cid:252)hrkop D(cid:252)hrkop (PSE) to the Commission

(9 April 1998)

Subject: Subsidy granted to Burgos City Council under the EEA financial mechanism

In December 1996 the European Investment Bank granted a subsidy of Ptas 350 million for a project to restore the
site of the castle in Burgos. Since it was demolished by Napoleonic troops, all that is left of the castle are ruins,
which give an indication of what it was like in the past and which are protected as a cultural monument.

The Burgos city councillor in charge of culture and responsible for the project in question has announced his
intention to switch the subsidy to another project involving the construction of a new castle on the existing ruins.
If this goes ahead it will have a major impact on the landscape and will spoil the views of Burgos Cathedral,
which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Could the Commission say whether or not it is possible for a body which has been granted a subsidy under the
EEA financial mechanism (involving a contract concluded with the EIB) can unilaterally switch the subsidy to a
different project?

What does the Commission think of the fact that EU financial sources intended for heritage protection can be used
for precisely the very opposite purpose?

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

(25 May 1998)

As part of an overall grant of ESP 5,200 million provided in October 1996 under the European economic area
financial mechanism for urban renewal in Castilla y Leon, the financial mechanism committee allocated ESP
310 million to the municipality of Burgos for excavation and consolidation works on the ruins of Burgos castle.

The Commission can confirm that the municipality of Burgos may not unilaterally change the objective of the
grant and the design and implementation of the project for which the grant was made. The Commission can also
assure the Honourable Member that the financial mechanism committee has taken the necessary steps to ensure
close monitoring of the project(cid:146)s progress by the European investment bank.

(98/C 402/129)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1249/98

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(29 April 1998)

Subject: Meat inspection costs for farmers

Can the Commission clarify whether there are any plans to standardize the system of meat inspection costs, with
governments in all Member States bearing the costs, or will it continue to vary from country to country?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(27 May 1998)

The Community has rules governing the funding of costs incurred by inspections and controls on meat. In this
connection, the main reference is Council Directive 85/73/EEC on the financing of health inspections and
controls under Directives 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC, 90/675/EEC and 91/496/EEC (1), and in particular Annex A,
Chapter 1 on the fees applicable to meat covered by Directives 64/433/EEC, 71/118/EEC, 91/495/EEC and
92/45/EEC.