WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3853/98 by James NICHOLSON Abolition of duty-free sales
Date: 1999-01-04
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: domestic market, duty-free sale, economic consequence, intra-EU transport, job cuts, marketing restriction

C 341/16

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.11.1999

Does the Commission consider this kind of synergy between a European rail transport network and an airport
to be in line with the proposals for strengthening intermodal transport networks which have been advocated
by the EU Institutions?

Does it regard the proposal as an interesting one? If so, how could it help to make it a reality? Are there similar
projects within the European Union which could serve as a model for the one in Aragon?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(26 February 1999)

The Commission gives a high policy priority to furthering transport intermodality. In the context of the
availability of financial assistance from the trans-European transport network budget line therefore the
connection of airports to the rail network is seen as a desirable objective. However, it is normally felt to be
most appropriate as a means of offering passenger choice and alleviating congestion at relatively large airports.
Certainly the endorsement of the authorities in the Member State for any such project is legally essential for the
Commission to consider an application for support.

That does not mean that the encouragement of such developments at regional and accessibility points such as
Zaragoza is ruled out, if they offer an economically and environmentally attractive potential. The Commission
has recently commissioned a study of the contribution which regional airports may be able to make to releving
congestion at major hubs.

(1999/C 341/025)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3853/98

by James Nicholson (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Abolition of duty-free sales

Has the Commission done any research into the number of jobs which will be lost as a result of the abolition of
duty-free sales within the European Union?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(17 March 1999)

The European Council in Vienna asked the Commission and the Ecofin Council to examine by March the
problems with regard to employment that could arise with regard to the decision of 1991 to abolish duty-free
sales to intra-Community travellers.

In response to this request, the Commission has examined how the decision to abolish intra duty-free sales
would impact on employment. It has also looked at possible ways of minimising potential employment
problems, including the possibility of a limited extension of the duty-free regime.

The results of this examination are featured in the communication adopted by the Commission on 17 February
1999 (1). The Commission’s analysis shows that the impact on employment is likely to be limited and specific
in terms of localities and sectors affected. It should however be noted that, in the medium term, short-term
negative effects on employment could be turned into a net creation of jobs.

The Commission will be sending the communication not only to the Council but also to the Parliament. The
Council discussed this issue at its meeting on 15 March 1999.

(1) Communication from the Commission to the Council concerning the employment aspects of the decision to abolish

tax- and duty-free sales for intra-Community travellers (COM(99) 65 final of 17 February 1999).