WRITTEN QUESTION E-1201/00 by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Construction of residential tower blocks on the Ijmeer.
Date: 2000-04-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU environmental policy, Flevoland, Netherlands, building industry, competence of the Member States, environmental impact, protected area

C 53 E/98

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.2.2001

The proposal provides, under its article 7, a reduced minimum rate of excise duty to be applied
Community-wide on diesel used as propellant in agriculture, the level of which should be fixed at first
stage at 32 € per 1000 litres. This proposal should contribute considerably, if adopted, to the approxima-
tion of taxation levels applied by individual Member States in the area of fuels used for agricultural
purposes.

This proposal has not yet been adopted by the Council. The Commission has made a considerable effort so
far to make this adoption possible and has declared its willingness to examine compromise solutions aimed
at reducing the economic effect on certain Member State economies. These may include provisions
providing for arrangements such as reduced minimum rates of taxation for certain energy products,
transitional periods or tax exemptions or reductions for energy intensive industries.

Finally, on the issue of VAT, given the current conditions (no approximation of tax rates, numerous special
arrangements, options, derogations), it is unlikely that any significant progress towards a single rate to be
applied Community-wide will be made in the immediate future. VAT rates currently applied on diesel used
for agricultural purposes vary between 12 and 25 %.

(1) OJ L 316, 31.10.1992.
(2) OJ C 139, 6.5.1997.

(2001/C 53 E/128)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1200/00

by Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN) to the Commission

(12 April 2000)

Subject: The commune of Casarano

On 21 March 2000 a demonstration was held in the commune of Casarano (in the province of Lecce),
called (cid:145)Fifth day of remembrance and commitment in honour of the victims of Mafia-type organisations(cid:146),
sponsored principally by the European Commission.

Can the Commission say how much and what form of aid it used to support this initiative?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(27 June 2000)

The Commission would inform the Honourable Member that it provided no moral, financial or logistical
support to the demonstration in question. Acting in a personal capacity, however, the Commission
President lent his patronage to the event.

(2001/C 53 E/129)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1201/00

by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Construction of residential tower blocks on the Ijmeer

(12 April 2000)

Luxury tower blocks are under construction in Almere in the area beyond the dyke along the Ijmeer. The
Ijmeer is covered by the wild birds directive and the habitats directive and it is also part of the national
ecological network.

the Commission(cid:146)s view that

Is it
demonstrated) building plans of this nature cannot go ahead?

there is no overriding interest

if

(or at

least

if

it has not been

20.2.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 53 E/99

Is the Commission of the opinion that an overriding interest has not been demonstrated in this instance
and that there are no plans for compensation?

Does the Commission think that the plan in question should at least be frozen by the Dutch authorities
until an overriding interest has been demonstrated and sufficient compensation is offered for loss of
natural areas?

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

(17 May 2000)

The Commission has not been informed about the project concerned including the construction of tower
blocks in the municipality of Almere in the area beyond the dyke along the IJmeer.

The IJmeer has been designated by the Dutch authorities as a special protection area (SPA) as defined in
the Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (1).

As an SPA the IJmeer is protected by Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of
natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (2), in particular by Article 6(2), 6(3) and 6(4). According to
Article 7 of Directive 92/43/EEC these provisions also apply to SPAs as defined in Directive 79/409/EEC.
The construction of tower blocks near or within an SPA could be a project within the meaning of Article
6(3) of Directive 92/43/EEC that is likely to have a significant effect on the SPA. In that case the project
has to be subjected to an appropriate assessment of its implications on the IJmeer, especially on the
habitats and the species that are protected by Directive 79/409/EEC. If the conclusion of the assessment is
that there will be negative implications, Article 6(4) applies. The responsibility for applying Article 6(4) lies
primarily with the Member State.

On the basis of the present information, the Commission cannot judge if there is an infringement of
Directive 79/409/EEC or Directive 92/43/EEC. Therefore it has sent a letter to the Netherlands asking for
information about the project and its implications under Directive 79/409/EEC and Directive 92/43/EEC.
The Commission will not take other steps at the moment, since interested parties can initiate legal
proceedings against the municipality of Almere and additionally, the national authorities have legal
instruments in the relevant national legislation to prevent the construction of the tower blocks if necessary.

(1) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.
(2) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2001/C 53 E/130)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1202/00

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(12 April 2000)

Subject: Crisis in the apple-growing sector

Cultivation of Jonagold apples is currently undergoing a crisis. Fruit growers in Limburg have been forced
to sell below cost price. The problem is not confined to growers in the Flemish province of Limburg, but is
apparent in other regions, too.

Is the Commission aware of the crisis in the apple growing sector, with particular regard to

1.
Jonagold? If not, will the Commission seek detailed information on the apple crisis?

2. Will the Commission take action to provide a solution to the apple crisis? If so, what action, and will
it involve structural or emergency measures? If not, why is the Commission unwilling to take action?