WRITTEN QUESTION E-2431/99 by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission. Objective 2 in Lazio.
Date: 1999-12-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Italy, Structural Funds, eligibility criteria, eligible region

C 225 E/132

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.8.2000

In Finland, horses are primarily competition and sports animals. Less than half of all horses are slaughtered
and, of those, only a fraction are used in the foodstuffs industry. That is why it is really important for
competition and sports horses to be excluded from the rules on veterinary medicine.

The Commission clearly agrees with me and has made a proposal
Nevertheless, there seem to be delays in dealing with it.

to that effect

to the Council.

1. What is the Commission(cid:146)s proposed timetable for placing competition and sports horses in a
different category from those horses classified as production animals?

2.
If there should be further delays in dealing with the Commission(cid:146)s proposals, what action can be
taken now to ensure that competition and sports horses can be treated, given that no maximum residue
limit (MRL) values have yet been set for the medicine required?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(28 January 2000)

Following a favourable opinion by qualified majority at the meeting of a joint zootechnical and veterinary
standing committee on 8 December 1999 the Commission adopted a Decision establishing the identifica-
tion document (passport) accompanying registered equidae for breeding and production (1) based on
Council Directive 90/426/EEC of 26 June 1990 on animal health conditions governing the movement
and import from third countries of equidae (2) and Council Directive 90/427/EEC of 26 june 1990 on the
zootechnical and genealogical conditions governing intra-Community trade in equidae (2).

The identification document foreseen for equidae for breeding and production uses part of the information
provided in the internationally recognized passport for registered equidae, established by Decision 93/623/
EEC (3). A special section to be added to the identification document accompanying registered equidae and
equidae for breeding and production provides for marking of equidae which are not intended for slaughter
for human consumption and of those which are intended for slaughter under the condition that treatment
with medicines containing substances not included in Annex I, II or III of Council Regulation (EEC)
No 2377/90 of 26 June 1990 laying down a Community procedure for the establishment of maximum
residue limits of veterinary medicinal products in foodstuffs of animal origin (4), is recorded and a general
withdrawal period of six months is observed.

With effect from 1 January 2000 the administration to food-producing animals of medicinal products
containing pharmacologically active substances which are not included in Annex I, II and III of Regulation
(EEC) No 2377/90 is prohibited within the Community. Therefore, treatment of an equine animal with
substances not included in these annexes can only be applied or prescribed after the vet has satisfied
himself that the equine animal is properly marked in the new section of the identification document either
as not intended for slaughter or as intended for slaughter under the above conditions.

When equidae are transported to the slaughterhouse, the identification document must be checked by the
official vet at the slaughterhouse during ante-mortem inspection to verify the identity and to check the
medication record in order to ascertain the completion of the required withdrawal period.

(1)
(not yet published).
(2) OJ L 296, 27.10.1990.
(3) OJ L 298, 3.12.1993.
(4) OJ L 87, 2.4.1992.

(2000/C 225 E/143)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2431/99

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: Objective 2 in Lazio

The recent redesignation of areas eligible for Objective status and hence of the targets for European Union
structural funding has triggered controversy in the region of Lazio, focused on the new award of such

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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status. In particular, the proposal by the Lazio regional authorities regarding Objective 2 does not appear
to reflect adequately the development characteristics of the various areas concerned and therefore does not
correspond to the Commission(cid:146)s guidelines to the Member States in this connection.

Can the Commission answer the following:

1. Has it already intervened regarding the definition of eligible areas in Lazio and if so, in what way?

2. Has it expressed itself in favour of the proposal by Lazio regarding the redefinition of Objective status,

and in particular of Objective 2?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(21 January 2000)

Following the Commission(cid:146)s decision of 1 July 1999 setting, for each Member State, the maximum
population eligible for Objective 2 assistance in 2000-2006, the national authorities were invited to send
the Commission (at the latest by 31 August 1999) their proposed list of eligible areas within their
territory. The Italian authorities sent their proposal on 1 October 1999.

On 11 October 1999, the Italian authorities were informed that their proposal was not acceptable as it did
not comply with Article 4(4) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 (1) of 21 June 1999, which the
areas that satisfy the (cid:145)Community(cid:146) criteria laid down in Article 4(5) and (6) must contain at least 50 % of
the population eligible for Objective 2 assistance.

The Commission therefore called on the Italian authorities to draw up a new proposal in compliance with
the Regulation.

As soon as it receives the revised Italian proposal, the Commission will evaluate the eligibility of the Italian
region of Lazio for Objective 2 assistance.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds:

OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

(2000/C 225 E/144)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2433/99

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: Reform of the banana sector with reference to the WTO panel

At the Council meeting of Agriculture Ministers on 15 November the Commission put forward a proposal
for an amendment to the customs arrangements relating to the banana sector. The purpose of the proposal
is to put an end to import quotas and to base the arrangements solely on customs duties with effect from
1 January 2006. This is an attempt to bring the banana regime into line with the WTO rules, in response
to the criticisms expressed by the USA and the multinational companies which export from the (cid:145)dollar
banana(cid:146) area.

Has the Commission carried out any research into the impact which any change in the arrangements
would have on Community producers, particularly in view of the fact that there is to be an automatic shift
to a scheme based solely on customs duties (which could be reduced as a result of the WTO Millennium
Round negotiations)? If such research has been carried out, what were the main findings thereof?

If Community producers suffer any losses, what action is the Commission intending to take in order to
compensate them and to provide support for the sector and its future?

Has the Commission carried out any research into the impact which any change in the arrangements
would have on ACP producers, particularly in view of the fact that there is to be an automatic shift to a
scheme based solely on customs duties?

What action does the Commission intend to propose in terms of cooperation policy and the Community
budget in order to compensate ACP producers for their losses?