WRITTEN QUESTION P-1873/00 by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Nuclear-related provisions set aside in Germany.
Date: 2000-06-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Germany, control of State aid, decommissioning of power stations, infringement of EU law, radioactive waste, tax relief

C 53 E/194

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.2.2001

(2001/C 53 E/251)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1863/00

by Carles-Alfred Gas(cid:242)liba i B(cid:246)hm (ELDR) to the Commission

(9 June 2000)

Subject: Agricultural over-exploitation, and citrus-growing in particular,

in the Valencian Autonomous

Community

The conversion of unirrigated land and woodland into farmland is causing over-production, while the new
farms frequently take no account whatever of the fact that the area already suffers from grave water
shortages.

Both the increase in the number of farms and the over-production involved, contrary to the Common
Agricultural Policy, are frequently tacitly supported by the autonomous and state governments. Such
practices threatens farmers(cid:146) professional standards, and considerably lowers prices and farmers(cid:146) incomes.

How does the Commission intend to deal with this anomaly, particularly in the Valencian and Catalan
citrus-growing sector? What measures does the Commission intend to take to oblige the Valencian
Autonomous Community (Objective 1) to apply modernisation and agricultural improvement measures,
particularly as regards citrus-growing, as part of the aid which the Valencian Community will be receiving?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(14 July 2000)

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

(2001/C 53 E/252)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1873/00

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Nuclear-related provisions set aside in Germany

(6 June 2000)

Under Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty, State aids are prohibited in the Community if they affect trade
between Member States. At the latest since expiry of the time limit for transposition of the directive on the
internal market for electricity,
the conditions have existed for large-scale electricity trading between
Member States.

The admission of all provisions made for disposal and for decommissioning of nuclear power stations in
Germany, which reduces tax liability, represents a departure from the principles underpinning tax law that
goes against the entire system and is tantamount to aid, since:

(cid:129) the provisions of

the firms concerned are freely disposable and are subject

to no statutory

requirements in terms of risk, return or availability,

(cid:129) obligation, with regard to the cost of dismantling nuclear power stations, is, unlike what should be the

case, given no tangible expression in law or in an administrative decision,

(cid:129) in the light of what is available as a basis for an appraisal (e.g. Deregulation Commission report,
1990/91), provisions to cover the cost of disposal are excessive and cannot therefore be regarded in
their entirety as attribution of a future cost to the point in time when it is caused.

1.

Does the Commission agree with the above position?

Has the Commission(cid:146)s competition authority already intervened to counter this serious violation of

2.
EU competition law?

20.2.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 53 E/195

If not, must not the Commission put up with being reproached for applying different standards
3.
(contrary to the Electricity Network Supply Act), especially as its attention has already been drawn more
than once to what are tantamount to subsidies for nuclear-related provisions set aside in Germany
(Questions E-2472/97 (1) and P-2422/99 (2))?

4. What action is planned to put an end to this deplorable state of affairs as soon as possible?

(1) OJ C 76, 11.3.1998, p. 114.
(2) OJ C 203 E, 18.7.2000, p. 171.

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(6 July 2000)

The Commission is aware of the facts which the question assesses as a departure from the principles
underpinning tax law and tantamount to aid. However, the Commission needs for its assessment still
further inquiries so that for the time being,
it cannot be said whether it agrees with the Honourable
Member(cid:146)s position.

1.

Due to the fact that the inquiries are not closed yet, no decision has been taken in the matter so far.

2.
The Commission has to examine complaints against breaches of Community competition rules. The
progress of the inquiry into complaints depends upon the individual case and the complexity of the factual
and legal questions which have to be solved in the case concerned.

The Commission will decide upon the appropriate measures and actions after a final assessment of

3.
the facts.

(2001/C 53 E/253)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1877/00

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(9 June 2000)

Subject: Progress on the Attica highway and the Athens suburban railway

The Attica highway, known as the Elefsina (cid:129) Stavrou (cid:129) Spata Airport freeway, is a major project which is
closely associated with the operation of the new airport in Spata and the 2004 Olympic Games. The
original budget of this project was Drs. 450 billion, and it was due to be completed and gradually handed
over between 2001 and 2002. Recently a number of airlines have been threatening to boycott Spata
airport if the above highway leading to the new airport has not been completed. There are also signs that
the suburban railway linking the new airport of Spata and Athens will not be ready for the Olympic
Games in 2004, since the competition for the choice of consultant for the project will be invalidated.

Will the Commission say:

1. What is the overall take-up rate of appropriations for the project so far, what is the delay in the
handover of the project and has any provision been made for the payment of compensation for this
delay?

2. When is the project expected to be opened to traffic given the present rate of construction?

3. What are the consequences likely to be for the operation of Spata airport if the Attica highway is not

completed in time?

4. What exactly is to be done to link the centre of Athens by rail to the new airport of Spata?