WRITTEN QUESTION P-0441/00 by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Draft version of a new Community framework for state aids for environmental protection.
Date: 2000-02-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU environmental policy, consultation procedure, control of State aid, environmental protection, non-profit organisation, public hearing, renewable energy

C 303 E/194

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

24.10.2000

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 2000)

The Commission is aware of the United Kingdom(cid:146)s proposed legislation banning the rearing of animals
destined to be killed for their fur. The draft legislation has been communicated to the Commission under
the provisions of Directive 98/34/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 22 June 1998 laying down a
procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations (1).

Under the provisions of this Directive a standstill period of three months is applicable from the date of
communication of the text of the proposed legislation by the Member State concerned. This period expires
on 13 March 2000.

The Commission is currently examining the measures communicated by the United Kingdom in the light
of the applicable provisions of the Community law including those mentioned by the Honourable Member.

If following the completion of this examination the Commission were to conclude that proposed United
Kingdom legislation appeared to be incompatible with Community law it would inform that Member State
of its observations on the matter in accordance with the procedure laid down in Directive 98/34/EC.

The Commission will inform the Honourable Member of its position on this issue as soon as it has taken a
definitive decision under the above-mentioned Directive.

(1) OJ L 204, 21.7.1998.

(2000/C 303 E/222)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0441/00

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(11 February 2000)

Subject: Draft version of a new Community framework for state aids for environmental protection

The Commission departments are currently finalising in consultation with the Member States an important
document concerning a Community framework for state aids for environmental protection. This is due to
enter into force in July 2000. These guidelines are essential for the management of state aids in the
environmental field, e.g. in respect of the support provided by the Member States for renewable energies.

1. What are the main criteria by which the Commission assesses state aids for environmental
protection?

2. More specifically, what approach underlies the guidelines by which renewable energies are aided?

3. What steps will it be taking to consult with the European Parliament and environmental organisa-
tions before reaching a decision on this important issue?

How will the transparency and cooperation with Parliament pledged by Commission President Prodi

4.
be ensured before the guidelines are adopted?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(15 March 2000)

1.
In accordance with Article 6 (formerly Article 3c) of the EC Treaty, the Commission has the task of
ensuring that environmental protection requirements are integrated into the definition and implementation
of Community policies and activities. In order to ensure better long-term protection for the environment,
it take the view that Community policy in this connection must be based on the (cid:145)polluter-pays(cid:146) principle,
this being the best way to encourage society at large to protect the environment. Generally speaking, the
granting of state aid can thwart this principle by allowing firms to avoid the environmental costs linked to
their activities. The Commission considers therefore that the granting of aid can be counter-productive for

24.10.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 303 E/195

the environment in the long term. Consequently, aid must be confined to situations in which it makes a
genuine contribution to improving the environment significantly and enables firms to adapt to new
circumstances, notably in the tax field. These provisions will be spelt out in the new guidelines for state aid
for environmental protection, which is currently being drawn up and should be applicable as from
1 July 2000.

2.
The use and development of renewable energies are encouraged by the Commission, which is aware
that, in some cases, these forms of energy are still faced with higher production costs than traditional
sources of energy. In the Commission(cid:146)s view, therefore, temporary aid for renewable energies may be
it must not be permanent and the firms concerned should adapt progressively to
justified. However,
market conditions.

3. and 4.
The Commission has drafted new Community guidelines for environmental aid. They will be
examined by Member States(cid:146) experts at a meeting of the Advisory Committee and will then be adopted by
the Commission. Organisations active in the environmental
field are not consulted directly by the
Commission but are usually consulted on an informal basis by the Member States(cid:146) representatives who
sit on the Advisory Committee responsible for giving an opinion to the Commission. The views of
organisations active in the environmental
field are therefore brought to the Commission(cid:146)s attention
indirectly.

Where Parliament is concerned, the procedure does not provide for any consultations prior to the
adoption of Community state aid guidelines. However, the Commissioner responsible for competition
considers it extremely important that Parliament should be regularly informed of the Commission(cid:146)s work.
This matter should, therefore, be addressed at a forthcoming meeting.

(2000/C 303 E/223)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0444/00

by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission

(24 February 2000)

Subject: Support for the press

Thank you for your answer (E-1876/99) (1) of 5 January 2000. I still have a number of questions regarding
the criteria for selecting newspapers for support set out in the reply.

1. What objective criteria are used to assess the (cid:145)credibility(cid:146) of a medium to receive financial support
from the Commission representation?

2.

Are statistics yet available on the Commission(cid:146)s 1999 expenditure on the Austrian media?

3. What financial support does the Commission plan to provide to the Austrian media in the year
2000?

On what basis is this support calculated, and can the Commission predict at this stage which

4.
Austrian newspapers will be receiving support in 2000?

(1) OJ C 203, 18.7.2000, p. 78.

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(24 March 2000)

The credibility of a medium is assessed on the basis of continual monitoring over many years of the

1.
factual accuracy of its reporting of Community affairs.