WRITTEN QUESTION E-1294/00 by Eurig Wyn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. European aid for multiple sclerosis sufferers.
Date: 2000-04-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, United Kingdom, Wales, disease of the nervous system

C 53 E/122

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.2.2001

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(10 May 2000)

The N4 road is included in Annex I of the Community guidelines for the development of the Trans
European transport network (TEN-T) adopted by the Parliament and Council in 1996 (1). As such the
Community recognises the strategic importance of the N4 in helping to meet Community objectives for
the smooth functioning of the single market and the strengthening of economic and social inclusion.

Article 9 of the guidelines states that the road element of the TEN-T should consist of (cid:145)motorways and
high quality roads (cid:133) that guarantee users a high uniform and continuous level of services comfort and
safety(cid:146).
In addition, all projects of common interest for the development of the network should be
potentially economically viable on the basis of socio-economic cost benefit analysis.

The Irish national development plan states that (cid:145)further major improvements(cid:146) will be undertaken on the N4
between Kinnegad and Sligo as part of a programme aiming to provide a high quality of service. The
negotiation of the Community support framework has been finalised between the Commission and the
Irish authorities. The framework does indeed, in relation to the Border, midlands and western region,
envisage support for routes to the West and North-West. It specifically earmarks the N4 for improvement
but, under the principle of subsidiarity, leaves the selection of specific projects to the national authority.
However,
in this connection the Commission has co-funded a roads needs study under the transport
operational programme 1994-1999 which will now guide the selection of projects including improve-
ments on the N4 and other routes to the West. The conclusions of this study together with more recent
reviews of traffic volume are the safest way to proceed with decisions on upgrading for the better socio-
economic development of the North-West. In addition, large infrastructure projects are subject to a cost
benefit analysis and an environmental impact assessment. The rigorous application of these techniques
gives greater assurance that upgrading of routes is justified on the basis of objective criteria.

The Commission is currently in the process of reviewing whether and how the TEN-T guidelines should be
revised to take account of technological and economic changes. This review includes an examination of
the maps of the network contained in Annex I. The findings of this review will be presented in a report
that will be submitted to the Parliament and the Council this summer.

(1) Decision No 1692/96/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 1996 on Community guidelines for the

development of the trans-European transport network (OJ L 228, 9.9.1996).

(2001/C 53 E/155)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1294/00

by Eurig Wyn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(19 April 2000)

Subject: European aid for multiple sclerosis sufferers

Could the Commission please indicate what European aid and/or support possibilities are available in an
Objective 1 deprived region such as Wales, to assist people who suffer from multiple sclerosis?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(25 May 2000)

West Wales and the Valleys has been designated as an objective 1 region for the 2000-2006 programming
period. In drawing up the single programming document spending plan, the West Wales and the Valleys
regional partnership has included a number of measures (e.g. Community action for social inclusion) that
community organisations could access to obtain finance for groups such as multiple sclerosis sufferers.
However it should be noted that funding is not available for the treatment of multiple sclerosis but could
be found for training, rehabilitation, and the avoidance of discrimination at work.

20.2.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 53 E/123

The handling of the applications for the funding of projects such as these is not carried out by the
Commission but has been delegated to the British authorities and specifically the National Assembly for
Wales and the Wales European funding office. Consequently it is to these latter organisations that
interested groups should address their requests.

(2001/C 53 E/156)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1296/00

by Eurig Wyn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(19 April 2000)

Subject: Agriculture (cid:129) HLCA schemes

Less-favoured area in Wales account for 82 % of the agricultural area. Compensation is available for those
farmers in LFAs who suffer from what the Commission terms (cid:145)permanent natural handicap(cid:146) and the
obvious difficulties (cid:129) climate, soil, topography (cid:129) that hamper farming these remote parts of Wales.

The current review of the HLCA scheme in the EU moves payments from a headage basis to an area basis.
to the Commission under the Rural Development
The Welsh Assembly has submitted a proposal
Regulation.

Can the Commission confirm that all other Member State plans for the revised HLCA schemes will be
based on standardised criteria and that it will not discriminate between one Member State and another
Member State which may not apply the same national criteria?

Furthermore, will the Commission confirm that the UK will continue HLCA payments at the upper levels
paid over the last two years and not revert back to 1997 levels which will cripple the agricultural
community in Wales farming in less-favoured areas?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(24 May 2000)

The Honourable Member refers to the impact of the new approach for payment of compensatory
allowances in the less favoured areas of Wales, and requests assurance that first, the payments will be
based on standardised criteria and second, the United Kingdom will maintain recent payment levels rather
than those prior to 1997.

Chapter V (Articles 13-21) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for
rural development from the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund (EAGGF) and amending
and repealing certain Regulations (1) establishes a common framework and conditions for the implementa-
tion of compensatory allowances in less-favoured areas and areas with environmental restrictions. While
payment of compensatory allowances is not mandatory, for those Member States choosing to implement
such payments, the Commission can give assurance that they will comply with the terms of Articles 13-
21. However, respecting the conditions laid down and the levels of aid specified in the annex to the
regulation, it is not necessarily the case that all Member States will implement identical schemes. It should
be noted that Article 37(4) allows Member States to lay down further or more restrictive conditions for
granting Community support.

It is difficult to guarantee the former levels of aid as the payment system has switched from being based on
life stock
livestock to an area based payment. However the Commission will assess whether hill
compensatory allowance schemes (HLCA) make an effective contribution to compensation for existing
handicaps.

(1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.