do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 162/99 by Antonios TRAKATELLIS Delays in the payment of Community agricultural subsidies
Date: 1999-02-11
Institutions: European Parliament, TRAKATELLIS
Subjects: EAGGF, EU aid, EU financing, Greece, administrative procedure, aid to agriculture, payment, production aid













EUR-Lex - 91999E0162 - EN






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91999E0162

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 162/99 by Antonios TRAKATELLIS Delays in the payment of Community agricultural subsidies  


Official Journal C 325 , 12/11/1999 P. 0077 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0162/99by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE) to the Commission(11 February 1999)Subject: Delays in the payment of Community agricultural subsidiesThere have been significant delays in the payment of Community subsidies to farmers in Greece under the present system. Recently the payment of Community subsidies for cereals, cotton etc. was twice postponed, harming producers of these crops. The Greek ministry of agriculture is preparing to implement in April 1999 a new system for the payment of Community aid to replace the present one.1. Is the Commission aware that there have been long delays in the payment of Community subsidies to farmers in Greece, and will it say whether such delays have also occurred in other Member States?2. What measures can the Commission take to prevent delays in the payment of subsidies to farmers in Greece and elsewhere in the EU, and how can they be protected from such practices?3. What is the reason for the delays and how does it judge the present system for paying Community subsidies to farmers in Greece?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission(17 March 1999)1. The Commission is not aware that the situation as regards delays in the payment of agricultural subsidies is different in Greece from the situation in the other Member States.2. In order to encourage Member States to make payments to farmers within the time limits laid down the Commission introduced a system, defined in Article 4 of Regulation (EC) 296/96 of 16 February 1996 on data to be forwarded by the Member States and the monthly booking of expenditure financed under the Guarantee Section of the Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and repealing Regulation (EEC) 2776/88(1), which provides for a financial penalty for Member States which do not abide by the deadlines set for the payment of agricultural subsidies to the beneficiaries. Greece is one of the Member States to which financial corrections have been applied on account of such delays.3. The Commission considers that the system of administering and paying Community agricultural subsidies in Greece needs to be considerably improved. The Greek authorities are currently setting up new paying agencies, whose efficiency is being evaluated by the Commission, and this should shortly bring about an improvement in the situation in Greece.(1) OJ L 39, 17.2.1996.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 176/99 by José TORRES COUTO Attacks on press freedom directed against Portuguese journalists in Angola
Date: 1999-02-11
Institutions: European Parliament, TORRES COUTO
Subjects: Angola, Portugal, civil war, communications profession, freedom of the press, human rights

29.11.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 341/61

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf on the Commission

(22 March 1999)

The Commission can only refer to the answers given to the Honourable Member’s Written Questions P-2628/
97 (1) and P-3945/97 (2).

The purpose of the guidelines on state aid for enterprises in deprived urban areas is to set out the criteria used
by the Commission to assess the compatibility of state aid for deprived urban areas with the common
market (3). They are clarifications for the Member States, not an invitation to grant aid. It is for the Member
States to take the relevant decisions; if they do so, they are required to submit their projects for approval by the
Commission.

(1) OJ C 82, 17.3.1998.
(2) OJ C 18, 16.6.1998.
(3) OJ C 146, 14.5.1997.

(1999/C 341/086)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0176/99

by José Torres Couto (PSE) to the Commission

(11 February 1999)

Subject: Attacks on press freedom directed against Portuguese journalists in Angola

The Angolan Government has issued an expulsion order against one Portuguese journalist and banned another
from entering the country. The Angolan authorities have taken these steps because the journalists, both of
whom were working for the newspaper Diário de Notícias, wrote a report published in that newspaper which
displeased the Luanda authorities.

What steps will the Commission take, within the framework of the cooperation agreements with Angola, with
a view to countering this attack on the freedom to provide information?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(23 March 1999)

The Commission is extremely concerned about the deteriorating situation in Angola, where despite
international representations up to the level of the UN Security Council war has broken out again, bringing
with it appalling suffering and dire consequences for human rights.

Reflecting this concern, the Presidency issued a declaration on 28 December 1998 on behalf of the EU urging
the Angolan government and,in particular, UNITA to respect human rights.

As regards press freedom specifically, the Commission would point out that it finances a human rights
monitoring programme for Reporters sans frontières (RSF), which reacted promptly to these violations and
wrote a letter of protest to the Angolan authorities.

(1999/C 341/087)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0181/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Suspension of funding for Mount Athos

(11 February 1999)

Despite the Commission’s decision to provide funding under the Raphael programme (Action 1) for important
monuments, such as the monasteries on Mount Athos, the Acropolis and Santiago de Compostela, Mount
Athos was excluded from funding under DG X’s 1998 programmes.
Decision on the joint text approved by the Conciliation Committee for a European Parliament and Council Directive on coffee extracts and chicory extracts (3633/98 - C4-0023/ 99 96/0117(COD))(Codecision procedure: third reading)
Date: 1999-02-11
Institutions: Delegation to the Conciliation Committee, European Parliament
Subjects: coffee, food cereals, foodstuff, instant product

28.5.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 150/363

Thursday 11 February 1999

6.  Coffee and chicory extracts

***III

A4-0054/99

Decision on the joint text approved by the Conciliation Committee for a European Parliament and
Council Directive on coffee extracts and chicory extracts (3633/98 − C4-0023/99 − 96/0117(COD))

(Codecision procedure: third reading)

The European Parliament,

−  having regard to the joint text approved by the Conciliation Committee (3633/98 − C4-0023/99 −

96/0117(COD)),

−  having regard to its opinion at first reading (1)  on  the  Commission  proposal  to  Parliament  and  the

Council, COM(95)0722 (2),

−  having regard to its decision on the common position (3),

−  having  regard  to  the  Commission’s  opinion  on  Parliament’s  amendments  to  the  common  position

(COM(98)0599 − C4-0617/98),

−  having regard to Article 189b(5) of the EC Treaty,

−  having regard to Rule 77(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

−  having regard to the report of its delegation to the Conciliation Committee (A4-0054/99),

1.

Approves the joint text;

Instructs its President to sign the act with the President of the Council, pursuant to Article 191(1) of

2.
the EC Treaty;

Instructs its Secretary-General duly to sign the act and, in agreement with the Secretary-General of

3.
the Council, to have it published in the Official Journal;

4.

Instructs its President to forward this decision to the Council and Commission.

(1)  OJ C 339, 10.11.1997, p. 129.
(2)  OJ C 231, 9.8.1996, p. 24.
(3)  OJ C 313, 12.10.1998, p. 90.

7.  Deliberate release into environment of GMOs

***I

A4-0024/99

Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive amending Directive 90/220/EEC on the
deliberate  release  into  the  environment  of  genetically  modified  organisms  (COM(98)0085  −
C4-0129/98 − 98/0072(COD))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

TEXT PROPOSED
BY THE COMMISSION (*)

AMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT

(Amendment 1)

Recital 4a (new)

Whereas  means  must  be  sought  of  providing  GMOs  with
genetically stable characteristics which make it possible to

(*)  OJ C 139, 4.5.1998, p. 1.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 137/99 by Carlos ROBLES PIQUER Community policy on promoting energy crops
Date: 1999-02-11
Institutions: European Parliament, ROBLES PIQUER
Subjects: EU policy, EU publication, energy policy, energy production, land use, substitute fuel













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91999E0137

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 137/99 by Carlos ROBLES PIQUER Community policy on promoting energy crops  


Official Journal C 348 , 03/12/1999 P. 0025 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0137/99by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission(11 February 1999)Subject: Community policy on promoting energy cropsThe set-aside of land formerly devoted to growing food crops means that such land can either lie fallow or it can be used for alternative non-food crops such as energy crops without losing its right to the appropriate EU subsidy.So-called energy-crops, mainly for the production of bio-fuels, therefore constitute an alternative of the greatest importance for those who own land which has been withdrawn from food production.Can the Commission tell me what Community initiatives have been taken to create an EU policy on promoting energy crops, what information campaigns have been undertaken in connection with these initiatives, and how it intends to promote energy crops amongst owners of set-aside land?Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission(12 April 1999)In its White Paper on energy establishing a strategy and an action plan for renewable energies(1), the Commission predicts a substantial increase in the proportion of energy produced from biomass in the Community's overall energy consumption, from the current 45 million tonnes of oil equivalent (toe) to 135 million by 2010. Such a development will require additional agricultural and forestry land to be made available for non-food crops, and especially energy crops.In addition, following a request by the "Agriculture" Council of 22-26 June 1998, the Commission drafted a working document on non-food crops in the context of Agenda 2000(2). Presenting the paper to the "Agriculture" Council of 15 December 1998, the Commission emphasised that this was an initial approach to the problem of support measures for non-food crops.While not proposing practical solutions at this stage, the document opens the debate and invites Member States to give their points of view.The Commission will give these its fullest attention in the negotiations on Agenda 2000.(1) COM(97) 599 final.(2) SEC(98) 2169.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 320/1999 of 11 February 1999 fixing the maximum export refund on oats in connection with the invitation to tender issued in Regulation (EC) No 2007/98
Date: 1999-02-11
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: award of contract, export refund, oats

12. 2. 1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 38/45

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 320/1999

of 11 February 1999

fixing the maximum export refund on oats in connection with the invitation to
tender issued in Regulation (EC) No 2007/98

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92
of 30 June 1992 on the common organisation of the
market in cereals (1), as last amended by Regulation (EC)
No 923/96 (2),

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1501/
95 of 29 June 1995 laying down certain detailed rules for
the application of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92
on the granting of export refunds on cereals and the
measures to be taken in the event of disturbance on the
market for cereals (3), as last amended by Regulation (EC)
No 2513/98 (4),

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 2007/
98 of 21 September 1998 on a special
intervention
measure for cereals in Finland and Sweden (5), as last
amended by Regulation (EC) No 244/1999 (6), and in
particular Article 8 thereof,

Whereas an invitation to tender for the refund for the
export of oats produced in Finland and Sweden for export
from Finland or Sweden to all third countries was opened
pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 2007/98;

Whereas Article 8 of Regulation (EC) No 2007/98
provides that the Commission may, on the basis of the
tenders notified, in accordance with the procedure laid

down in Article 23 of Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92,
decide to fix a maximum export refund taking account of
the criteria referred to in Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No
1501/95; whereas in that case a contract is awarded to any
tenderer whose bid is equal
than the
maximum refund;

to or

lower

Whereas the application of the abovementioned criteria
to the current market situation for the cereal in question
results in the maximum export refund being fixed at the
amount specified in Article 1;

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

For tenders notified from 5 to 11 February 1999, pursuant
to the invitation to tender issued in Regulation (EC) No
2007/98, the maximum refund on exportation of oats
shall be EUR 60,90 per tonne.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 12 February
1999.

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

Done at Brussels, 11 February 1999.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 181, 1. 7. 1992, p. 21.
(2) OJ L 126, 24. 5. 1996, p. 37.
(3) OJ L 147, 30. 6. 1995, p. 7.
(4) OJ L 313, 21. 11. 1998, p. 16.
(5) OJ L 258, 22. 9. 1998, p. 13.
(6) OJ L 27, 2. 2. 1999, p. 10.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 181/99 by Alexandros ALAVANOS Suspension of funding for Mount Athos
Date: 1999-02-11
Institutions: ALAVANOS, European Parliament
Subjects: EU Member State, EU programme, Greece, heritage protection, monument, project evaluation, suspension of aid

29.11.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 341/61

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf on the Commission

(22 March 1999)

The Commission can only refer to the answers given to the Honourable Member’s Written Questions P-2628/
97 (1) and P-3945/97 (2).

The purpose of the guidelines on state aid for enterprises in deprived urban areas is to set out the criteria used
by the Commission to assess the compatibility of state aid for deprived urban areas with the common
market (3). They are clarifications for the Member States, not an invitation to grant aid. It is for the Member
States to take the relevant decisions; if they do so, they are required to submit their projects for approval by the
Commission.

(1) OJ C 82, 17.3.1998.
(2) OJ C 18, 16.6.1998.
(3) OJ C 146, 14.5.1997.

(1999/C 341/086)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0176/99

by José Torres Couto (PSE) to the Commission

(11 February 1999)

Subject: Attacks on press freedom directed against Portuguese journalists in Angola

The Angolan Government has issued an expulsion order against one Portuguese journalist and banned another
from entering the country. The Angolan authorities have taken these steps because the journalists, both of
whom were working for the newspaper Diário de Notícias, wrote a report published in that newspaper which
displeased the Luanda authorities.

What steps will the Commission take, within the framework of the cooperation agreements with Angola, with
a view to countering this attack on the freedom to provide information?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(23 March 1999)

The Commission is extremely concerned about the deteriorating situation in Angola, where despite
international representations up to the level of the UN Security Council war has broken out again, bringing
with it appalling suffering and dire consequences for human rights.

Reflecting this concern, the Presidency issued a declaration on 28 December 1998 on behalf of the EU urging
the Angolan government and,in particular, UNITA to respect human rights.

As regards press freedom specifically, the Commission would point out that it finances a human rights
monitoring programme for Reporters sans frontières (RSF), which reacted promptly to these violations and
wrote a letter of protest to the Angolan authorities.

(1999/C 341/087)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0181/99

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Suspension of funding for Mount Athos

(11 February 1999)

Despite the Commission’s decision to provide funding under the Raphael programme (Action 1) for important
monuments, such as the monasteries on Mount Athos, the Acropolis and Santiago de Compostela, Mount
Athos was excluded from funding under DG X’s 1998 programmes.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 201/99 by Florus WIJSENBEEK to the Commission. Hijacking in France
Date: 1999-02-11
Institutions: European Parliament, WIJSENBEEK
Subjects: France, drivers, farmer, illegal restraint, indemnification, pigmeat, road transport

21.7.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 207/175

(1999/C 207/244)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0201/99

by Florus Wijsenbeek (ELDR) to the Commission

(11 February 1999)

Subject: Hijacking in France

Is the Commission aware of an incident which occurred during the night of 18 and 19 January 1999 in Rennes
when a Dutch lorry driver was hijacked by French farmers?

Is the Commission also aware that 22 tonnes of pigmeat were rendered unfit for consumption and the lorry
destroyed?

Does the Commission not think that a stop must be put to such unacceptable acts and that the French
authorities, who are unwilling to prevent hijackings of this nature, should forthwith pay compensation to the
haulier, the shipper and the driver?

If not, why not?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(19 March 1999)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings
as soon as possible.

(1999/C 207/245)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0258/99

by Joan Colom i Naval (PSE) to the Commission

(5 February 1999)

Subject: Alleged ESF fraud in Catalonia

The High Court in Catalonia has agreed to hear a lawsuit concerning claims of ongoing corruption stemming
from alleged irregularities in the processing of assistance from the European Social Fund in Catalonia.

To what extent is the Commission aware of this situation? Have its services, in particular UCLAF, taken any
measures to deal with the alleged fraud?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 1999)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings
as soon as possible.

(1999/C 207/246)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0285/99

by Laura González Álvarez (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(17 February 1999)

Subject: Admission of holders of the Spanish ‘Ingeniero Técnico’ qualification to the European civil service

The documentation attached to the action for annulment brought before the Court of First instance by
Mr Vicente Alonso Morales on 1 December 1997 (T-299/97), brought to the attention of the Commission the
fact that Mr Roberto Arce Recio, who holds the Spanish ‘Ingeniero Técnico’ qualification, had been admitted to
study for a doctorate at Paul Sabatier University in Toulouse (France) and awarded a doctorate with distinction
on 24 June 1998.
WRITTEN QUESTION No. 144/99 by Brigitte LANGENHAGEN to the Commission. EU aid to Verden
Date: 1999-02-11
Institutions: European Parliament, LANGENHAGEN
Subjects: Community budget, EU aid, European Commission, European Union, Germany, distribution of aid, exchange of information

28.6.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 182/141

(1999/C 182/193)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0053/99

by Markus Ferber (PPE) to the Commission

(22 January 1999)

Subject: Assistance for Bavaria from EU funds 1994-98

Can the Commission provide information about the amounts paid to Bavaria from 1994-98 from EU support
funds in the following areas:

1. During the period 1994-98 what amount was paid to Bavaria from the European Agricultural Guarantee

and Guidance Fund (EAGGF)?

2.

3.

4.

In the same period, how much went to Bavaria in support funds for Objective 2 and Objective 5b regions?

From 1994 to 1998, how much was paid to Bavaria as assistance for research and development (R&D)?

In the same period, how much was paid from the following programmes:

(a) Socrates

(b) Leonardo

(c) Kaleidoscope

(d) Town twinning

(e) Raphael?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(1 February 1999)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings
as soon as possible.

(1999/C 182/194)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0143/99

by Brigitte Langenhagen (PPE) to the Commission

(11 February 1999)

Subject: EU aid to Osterholz-Scharmbeck

During the 1994-99 parliamentary term, what European Union grants, broken down by aid area, and for what
amounts, were made to Osterholz-Scharmbeck?

(1999/C 182/195)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0144/99

by Brigitte Langenhagen (PPE) to the Commission

(11 February 1999)

Subject: EU aid to Verden

During the 1994-99 parliamentary term, what European Union grants, broken down by aid area, and for what
amounts, were made to Verden?
Resolution on the case of Leonard Peltier
Date: 1999-02-11
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: United States, barring of penalties by limitation













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51999IP0169

Resolution on the case of Leonard Peltier  


Official Journal C 150 , 28/05/1999 P. 0384 





B4-0169, 0175, 0179 and 0199/99Resolution on the case of Leonard PeltierThe European Parliament,- having regard to its resolution of 15 December 1994 on clemency for Leonard Peltier ((OJ C 18, 23.1.1995, p. 183.)),A. having regard to the role played by Leonard Peltier in the defence of the rights of indigenous peoples,B. whereas he received two life sentences in 1997, although no proof of his guilt was ever furnished, after he had been extradited from Canada,C. whereas Amnesty International has repeatedly expressed its concern about the fairness of the trial which led to Mr Peltier's conviction,D. whereas the United States Administration now admits that the affidavits which were utilised to arrest and extradite Mr Peltier from Canada were false, and whereas US prosecutor Lynn Crooks has stated that the US Administration had no proof of who killed the agents,E. whereas, after 23 years in federal penitentiaries, Mr Peltier's health has severely deteriorated, and whereas, according to specialists, if Mr Peltier does not receive proper medical treatment, his life could be in danger,F. whereas the prison authorities continue to deny Mr Peltier appropriate medical treatment, in violation of international humanitarian law and of Mr Peltier's constitutional rights,G. noting that Mr Peltier has exhausted all his appeals under United States law,1. Insists once again that Leonard Peltier be granted presidential executive clemency;2. Insists that Leonard Peltier be transferred to a hospital where he may receive appropriate medical treatment;3. Reiterates its call for an investigation into the judicial improprieties involved in Mr Peltier's conviction;4. Instructs its Delegation for relations with the United States to raise the case of Leonard Peltier at its next meeting with its American counterparts;5. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the US Congress and the President of the United States.10