WRITTEN QUESTION E-0332/00 by Jan Mulder (ELDR) to the Commission. Financing arrangements for combating veterinary disease in the EU.
Date: 2000-02-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU Member State, aid system, animal disease, directive (EU), epidemic, farmer, financial aid, indemnification, insurance, national financing, veterinary legislation

C 330 E/130

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.11.2000

Does the Commission agree that holding open the option of allowing gas-boring operations to be
5.
conducted within the De Biesbosch National Park area conflicts with the region(cid:146)s status as a protected area?

6. What action will the Commission take to ensure that the De Biesbosch area ceases to be included in
the (cid:145)Andel-2(cid:146) concessionary area, so that it can continue to be protected against boring operations and
their adverse impact?

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(6 March 2000)

The only information the Commission has about the facts that are raised by the Honourable Member is
from articles in Dutch newspapers. Therefore it is not able to go more deeply into this case.

The Commission would furthermore refer the Honourable Member to its reply to Written Question
P-0179/00 by Mr de Roo (1), in which it said that it is taking the necessary steps to ensure that the
Netherlands comply with Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild
birds (2) and Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of
wild flora and fauna (3).

(1) See page 99.
(2) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.
(3) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2000/C 330 E/144)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0332/00

by Jan Mulder (ELDR) to the Commission

(11 February 2000)

Subject: Financing arrangements for combating veterinary disease in the EU

Under the new financial framework, agricultural expenditure is subject to even more restrictions than
hitherto. The EU has, in recent years, experienced widespread outbreaks of veterinary disease (in particular
BSE and swine fever) that have placed a heavy burden of expenditure on the EU budget.

In the different Member States the costs of combating veterinary sickness are met from the national budget
by constituting special funds, the better to be prepared for possible outbreaks, or by developing particular
insurance schemes.

Can the Commission:

1.

2.

Provide a summary outline of the arrangements for financing the response to outbreaks of veterinary
disease, the combating of which is required pursuant to European regulations or directives in Member
States?

Look into options for financing the costs of any future outbreaks of such infectious diseases of farm
animals from funds specially set up for that purpose or by developing special insurance schemes?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(27 March 2000)

The cost of veterinary diseases is generally made up of two elements: compensation paid to farmers for the
slaughter of their animals, and operating costs for measures to combat these diseases.

The method of calculating and rules on meeting these costs are governed by national law. As regards
compensation for farmers, the Member States have generally opted for one of the following arrangements:
the cost of veterinary diseases is either funded by means of a special budget earmarked for animal health,
or a State fund for veterinary diseases steps in to meet the costs incurred. This is financed through
compulsory contributions from farmers, which are usually supplemented by a balancing subsidy from the
public authorities. The contributions payable by farmers and the compensation to which they are entitled
sometimes depend on the size of the farm concerned.

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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The Commission is not aware of the existence of any private insurance schemes currently operating on the
market and providing farmers with cover against the risks arising from veterinary diseases. However, as the
Commission already indicated in the (cid:145)Report on the situation in the pigmeat sector in the European Union
with a view to possible changes to structural support measures(cid:146) (1), it would welcome the creation of an
insurance scheme for emergencies funded by farm producers(cid:146) contributions.

On the other hand, the financial support from the public authorities should be conditional upon the
disease being notified without delay, and upon the provisions of Community legislation on the eradication
of diseases (cid:129) including Council Decision 90/424/EEC of 26 June 1990 on expenditure in the veterinary
field (2) (cid:129) being implemented effectively.

(1) COM(98) 434 final.
(2) OJ L 224, 18.8.1990.

(2000/C 330 E/145)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0334/00

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(14 February 2000)

Subject: Special treatment of a Kurdish national imprisoned in Hamburg

Ilhan Gelkouvan, a Kurdish national imprisoned in Hamburg, has for many days been on a hunger strike
with the intention of starving himself to death, maintaining that, although his case has been tried by the
courts and final judgment delivered, he is being excluded from the schedule applicable to other prisoners,
being given different treatment and being held in solitary confinement. We have now learned that other
prisoners in the EU Member States and in third countries have also commenced hunger strikes in
sympathy.

Is the Council aware of the special treatment being given to Ilhan Gelkouvan by the Hamburg prison

1.
authorities?

2. What measures will
it take to end this and ensure that the prisoner concerned is treated in
accordance with the same criteria applicable to other prisoners, given the fact that he is seeking no more
than his due?

Reply

(2 May 2000)

The Council has no information on the treatment mentioned and has no competence to deal with the
questions raised by the honourable Member of the European Parliament.

(2000/C 330 E/146)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0338/00

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Unemployment figures for Greece

(14 February 2000)

Under the title (cid:145)EUROPE WEEKLY SELECTED STATISTICS No 1128(cid:146),
(cid:145)Europe(cid:146) of 20 December 1999
published information from the Eurostat News Release No 120/99 concerning unemployment figures in
the European Union Member States, Japan and the USA. However, as we have repeatedly pointed out,
these statistics do not include figures for unemployment in Greece. In a previous answer to my Written
Question E-1448/97 (1), the Commission indicated that (cid:145)as from 1998, the National Statistical Service of
Greece is planning to implement a continuous labour force survey which will provide quarterly
unemployment rates(cid:146).