WRITTEN QUESTION P-0829/00 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission. Field margin regulations leading to environmental damage.
Date: 2000-03-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Russia, import (EU), import licence, meat, veterinary inspection

3.10.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 280 E/219

subjected to an on-the-spot check have to be selected by the relevant authorities on the basis of a risk
analysis and an element of representativeness of the aid applications submitted.

The Commission has asked the German authorities to further look into this question and to report back
their finding to the Commission. The Commission will, subsequently, inform the Parliament of the results.

2. and 3.

It will be necessary to wait and see what the answer of the German authorities will be.

(1) OJ L 181, 1.7.1992.
(2) OJ L 90, 7.4.1994.
(3) OJ L 355, 5.12.1992.
(4) OJ L 391, 31.12.1992.

(2000/C 280 E/262)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0773/00

by Astrid Thors (ELDR) to the Commission

(9 March 2000)

Subject: Importing reindeer meat from Russia to countries in the EU

According to information received by the Finnish Reindeer Herders(cid:146) Association,
the EU Standing
Veterinary Committee made a decision of principle on 12 January 2000 (amending Decision 97/217/
EC) (1) on the import of reindeer meat from the Kola Peninsula area of Russia. Until now, the import of
meat from Russia has been prevented because the country is defined as a foot-and-mouth disease region
and because of substandard abattoir and meat handling conditions. Representatives of the EU Standing
Veterinary Committee made a tour of inspection to the Kola Peninsula concerning this matter.

Does the Commission know whether the tour of inspection, that affected the preparation of the issue and
decision made by the Standing Veterinary Committee, was made in impartial conditions; did the
Commission check the monitoring of disease, meat handling and quality testing, and did the Commission
clarify the possibilities of creating an outside monitoring system by which the origin of reindeer meat can
be reliably proven in all cases?

(1) OJ L 88, 3.4.1997, p. 20.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(28 March 2000)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the reply it gave to Oral Question H-0179/00 by
Mr Sepp(cid:228)nen during question time at Parliament(cid:146)s March 2000 part-session (1).

(1) Debates of the European Parliament (March 2000).

(2000/C 280 E/263)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0829/00

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(10 March 2000)

Subject: Field margin regulations leading to environmental damage

More than 50 % of the field margins in my constituency (the South West of England) are over two metres.
The Commission and the Court of Auditors have recently instructed MAFF to reduce the amount of
subsidies given to farmers whose field margins are over two metres. If farmers in the south-west do not
wish to lose an average of £969 per year, they will have to plough right up to, and possibly cut back, their

C 280 E/220

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.10.2000

hedges. This will damage wildlife and remove land vital for preventing soil erosion on steep fields. It will
run counter to the environmental goals adopted by the EU.

The UK has asked the Commission to increase the (cid:145)set-aside(cid:146) margin to three metres for the UK. In the
interests of promoting environmental conservation, will the Commission agree to rethink its approach, at
least in the case of farmers who have traditionally maintained wide field margins?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(29 March 2000)

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

(2000/C 280 E/264)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0929/00

by Christoph Konrad (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 March 2000)

Subject: Set aside premiums for the German firms RWE and Rheinbraun

Is it the case that the German firms RWE and Rheinbraun have received EU set aside premiums for

1.
brown coal mining?

2.

3.

If so, what sums have been paid, in accordance with what legal basis and for what period?

If so, were these one-off payments, or are they continuing?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(31 March 2000)

The Commission would point out that this question is exactly the same as the Honourable Member(cid:146)s
Written Question E-0667/00.

The Commission would therefore refer the Honourable Member to the answer it has already given to that
question (1).

(1)

See page 218.