WRITTEN QUESTION P-1585/00 by Kyösti Virrankoski (ELDR) to the Commission. Finland's horizontal rural development programme.
Date: 2000-05-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Finland, agri-environmental plan, operational programme, rural region

C 72 E/82

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.3.2001

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(8 June 2000)

The Commission is informed about the treatment of the animals during this event. The inadequate
slaughterhouse capacity in certain urban areas of France appears to be one of the reasons for the
observations made by animal protection organisations with regard to treatment of animals during the
festival.

Treatment of animals which causes suffering during restraint and slaughter is not acceptable. The
Commission considers that
find a practical solution for the problem
concerning slaughterhouse capacity.

the French authorities must

Member States are responsible for the enforcement of Community legislation concerning the slaughter and
killing of animals in accordance with the provisions of Council Directive 93/119/EC of 22 December
1993, on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing.

The Commission has been in contact with the French authorities concerning the need to improve the
arrangements. On that occasion reassurances had been received prior to the festival that the French
authorities were taking a wide range of measures including close contacts with the different Islamic
cultural groups to involve them more widely in discussions on this issue in order to improve the situation
and achieve better animal welfare and hygiene conditions.

Now that the festivity has passed a formal report, which has already been requested, is awaited from the
French authorities before taking further initiatives,
including if necessary opening proceedings under
Article 226 (ex Article 169) EC treaty.

(2001/C 72 E/097)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1585/00

by Ky(cid:246)sti Virrankoski (ELDR) to the Commission

Subject: Finland(cid:146)s horizontal rural development programme

(12 May 2000)

The Finnish Government submitted its proposed horizontal rural development plan to the Commission
last October. The programme comprises environmental aid to farmers and LFA support programmes.

Consideration of Finland(cid:146)s proposal still has not been concluded.

As of 26 May, farmers are required to commit themselves to new environmental and LFA programmes for
five years, although their content has not even been decided yet. This situation renders farmers(cid:146) legal
position extremely uncertain, as aid under these programmes is expected to amount to nearly half of total
aid to farmers.

How many other Member States(cid:146) corresponding programmes have not yet been processed?

What is the reason for the delays?

Which persons and departments are responsible for the delays?

What will the Commission do to remedy this maladministration?

How will the Commission shoulder its responsibility and restore legal certainty for farmers?

6.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 72 E/83

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(5 June 2000)

The Finnish horizontal rural development plan was foreseen to be presented to the committee on
agricultural structures and rural development (STAR committee) on 29 March 2000. However, due to
some pending problems of the Finnish action plan under Council Directive 91/676/EEC of 12 December
1991 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources (1)
the point was withdrawn to ensure further clarification of the situation. The April 2000 meeting of the
STAR committee was partially cancelled as the committee on the development and conversion of regions
acted as STAR-Committee dealing only with objective 1 issues. Therefore, the Finnish plan was on the
agenda of the STAR-committee on 24 May 2000 where a favourable opinion was given. The final step on
the approval procedure will be the Commission decision.

For the programming period of 2000-2006, the Finnish plan is the first European agriculture guidance and
guarantee fund (EAGGF) funded plan from Member States to be examined by the STAR committee.

(1) OJ L 375, 31.12.1991.

(2001/C 72 E/098)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1587/00

by J(cid:252)rgen Zimmerling (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 May 2000)

Subject: Effects of the resolutions on Cyprus

On 16 November 1995, and again on 27 March 1996, the European Parliament adopted resolutions on
the situation in Cyprus (B4-1387/95 (1) and B4-0034/96 (2)):

(cid:129) What effect have these resolutions had?

(cid:129) What was the Turkish reaction to them?

(1) OJ C 323, 4.12.1995, p. 117.
(2) OJ C 117, 22.4.1996, p. 15.

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(27 June 2000)

The Honourable Member(cid:146)s question refers to incidents and tensions along the buffer zone between the two
communities in Cyprus.

The Commission firmly believes that, following the positive developments at the Helsinki European
Council in December 1999 and in the light of the greatly improved relations between Greece and Turkey,
along with the designation by the Member States of Turkey as a candidate country, a start has been made
towards decreasing political tensions in Cyprus. This summer will see the resumption in Geneva of the
proximity talks between the two communities lead by the United Nations. The Commission hopes that
further progress towards a lasting settlement of the political problem will be made. Meanwhile, the
enlargement negotiations with the Republic of Cyprus are progressing well with 15 of the negotiating
chapters provisionally closed. Further initiatives are being taken to set up bi-communal projects following
the visit of the member responsible for Enlargement to Cyprus in March 2000. The Commission is of the
opinion that the proximity talks and accession process can mutually reinforce each other thereby reducing
tensions and incidents as noted in the resolutions of the Parliament cited by the Honourable Member.

The Commission is not aware of any precise reaction from the Turkish authorities to these resolutions.