WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2613/98 by Mirja RYYNÄNEN to the Commission. Assessment of forestry aid schemes
Date: 1998-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, RYYNAENEN
Subjects: EAGGF, Structural Funds, afforestation, forest, silviculture

C 182/14

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

28.6.1999

(1999/C 182/017)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2613/98

by Mirja Ryynänen (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Assessment of forestry aid schemes

Under Agenda 2000 the Commission is proposing to expand forestry aid schemes. There is already provision
for aid under the Structural Funds and the CAP for reafforestation and forest management measures. However,
to my knowledge no comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of such aid has ever been carried out.

How did the Commission assess the practicability, effectiveness and impact of the old aid schemes on the basis
of the objectives set for them?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(6 October 1998)

With the exception of support for maintaining the protective role of certain forest areas, limited to zones
suffering from major natural handicaps, the proposal submitted by the Commission under Agenda 2000 (1)
does not provide for any new Community forestry aid schemes nor for raising the ceilings for existing ones.
The forest management measures which currently qualify for aid from the Structural Funds under Objectives 1
and 5(b) as well as the forestry measures in agriculture (Council Regulation (EEC) 2080/92 of 30 June 1992
instituting a Community aid scheme for forestry measures in agriculture (2)) will therefore be renewed and
adapted to the framework fixed by the new Regulation concerning assistance from the European Regional
Development Fund (EAGGF) for rural development.

As far as assessment of forestry measures in agriculture is concerned, at the end of 1997 the Commission
submitted a progress report to Parliament and to the Council on the implementation of Regulation (EEC)
2080/92, and it used that report’s conclusions in the proposals it presented for these measures under the
forestry chapter of Agenda 2000. Implementation by Member States of measures authorising funding for
afforestation of agricultural land, currently compulsory under Regulation (EEC) 2080/92, has been made
optional, for example.

Assessment of forestry measures adopted under Structural Fund operational programmes from 1994-99
forms part of the general assessment of the Structural Funds, since these measures are included in the priorities
defined in the OPs (for example, the modernisation, diversification or profitability of agriculture, employment
or the environment) in the same way as other measures in other sectors of activity.

(1) COM(98) 158.
(2) OJ L 215, 30.7.1992.

(1999/C 182/018)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2623/98

by Niels Sindal (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Failure of certain Member States to implement obligations under MAGP III

According to information from the Commission a number of Member States, including the Netherlands, the
UK and France, have failed to comply with their obligations under the multiannual guidance programme III @
MAGP III @ relating to the reduction of capacity in the fishing fleets of the relevant countries.

What action does the Commission intend to take to ensure that these countries comply with their obligations
under MAGP III?