WRITTEN QUESTION E-1872/00 by Monica Frassoni (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Rail network and Structural Funds 2000-2006 in Sardinia.
Date: 2000-06-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU regional policy, Sardinia, rail network

20.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 89 E/103

In view of the forthcoming implementation of a food safety programme:

1. Will the Commission continue to allow the (cid:145)Parmesan(cid:146) name to be used for a product that can be
made from almost any kind of milk and contains up to 30 additives, including whitening agents,
antioxidants and a variety of preservatives?

2. Will the Commission guarantee, on the other hand, that the cheese known as (cid:145)Parmiggiano Reggiano(cid:146)
is made from milk from the valleys which give it its name and according to the traditional methods
that have been used for hundreds of years?

3. Will the Commission defend typical European products from the threat of standardisation along the

lines decreed by the big distributors?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(26 July 2000)

The Commission considers that the term (cid:145)Parmesan(cid:146) is a translation, originally among French-speakers, for
the protected name (cid:145)Parmigiano-Reggiano(cid:146). In this light, it is clear that at the end of the transition period
expressly provided for in Article 13(2) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 of 14 July 1992 on the
protection of geographical
indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and food-
stuffs (1), i.e. 21 June 2001 in this instance, any use of the term (cid:145)Parmesan(cid:146) for products not in conformity
with the specifications registered under the above Regulation and corresponding to the protected
designation of origin (cid:145)Parmigiano-Reggiano(cid:146) will be prohibited. This will bring the legal position and the
commercial situation into line with the Community system for protecting geographical indications and
designations of origin.

(1) OJ L 208, 24.7.1992.

(2001/C 89 E/111)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1872/00

by Monica Frassoni (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Rail network and Structural Funds 2000-2006 in Sardinia

(9 June 2000)

Sardinia(cid:146)s rail network (which comprises some 1 000 km of track, of which only 435 km is standard-
gauge) is in an extremely bad state. Despite this, Sardinia is not eligible for aid to improve its rail services
under the national operational plan for transport
for 2000-2006 (Programma Operativo Nazionale
Trasporti, or PONT), as aid is available only in connection with the trans-European networks. The national
operational plan for transport for 1994-1999 also allocated Sardinia only ITL 50 billion (out of a national
total of ITL 3 800 billion), for one line which has not yet been completed (Campeda-Bonorva). The
planning agreement concluded in April 1999 between the Italian State, the region and the FS (national
railway) goes only some way towards making up the shortfall left by the previous thirty years of under-
investment: the relevant framework programme agreement (APQ 5) provides for funding only for the
Cagliari-Oristano and Sassari-Porto Torres routes (1), and the sums allocated,
though substantial, are
certainly not enough to address the needs of a network on which 80 % of the traffic travels at commercial
speeds of less than 70 or 75 kph. The agreement concluded between the State and the region explicitly
notes the limited nature of the funding provided and the need to draw up a second framework programme
agreement (APG 5a) for the provision of aid to improve the network as a whole, goods transport and
privately operated rail services. The Commission is currently in negotiations with the Italian State over
PONT 2000-2006 and with the Sardinia region over the regional operational programme for 2000-2006
(POR). Neither document provides for significant investment in Sardinia(cid:146)s rail sector, concentrating solely
on the development of the island(cid:146)s road system and ports.

Could the Commission do its best to ensure that the objectives of PONT 2000-2006 include action to
modernise and improve the speed of traffic on the FS network in central and northern Sardinia? Would it
be possible for the measures already planned under the State/region/FS agreement to be included in PONT
2000-2006, thus making the Sardinian rail network eligible for a corresponding injection of Community
funds? Could the Commission take steps to ensure that the measures included in the regional operational

C 89 E/104

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.3.2001

programme for 2000-2006 include action to upgrade and modernise the mountain routes known as the
(cid:145)Trenino verde(cid:146) (little green train) and the inter-urban routes Olbia/Golfo Aranci, Tempio/Arzachena/Palau,
Alghero/Sassari/Sorso,
Sorgono/Isili/Mandas/Tortoli, Carbonia/Iglesias/Decimo/
Cagliari and Senorbi/Dolianova/Cagliari?

Bosa/Macomer/Nuoro,

(1)

ITL 510 billion, which has already been included in the FS operating plan.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(24 July 2000)

The Commission is aware that Sardinia(cid:146)s transport network is underdeveloped.

The Sardinia regional operational programme proposed for the 2000-2006 programming period (negotia-
tions are currently being finalised) includes two transport measures. The first aims to improve the island(cid:146)s
internal communication network, while the second is dedicated to mobility in the Cagliari and Sassari
urban centres (constructing a light underground railway line). Particularly as regards the first measure, the
region has opted for a strategy which concentrates available funds on improving the basic road network
and on intermodal infrastructure, given that railways are covered by national funding made available under
the framework programme agreement. The region of course remains free to propose a change of strategy
should it wish to do so.

As regards the national operational programme for transport, since the Commission has not yet started
formal negotiations with the Italian authorities it cannot at this stage comment on the programme(cid:146)s
content.

(2001/C 89 E/112)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1878/00

by Lord Inglewood (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(9 June 2000)

Subject: Compensation for the ban on cod fishing in the northern part of the Irish Sea

Is the European Commission able to provide funds for payments to fishermen as compensation for damage
to their business caused by the imposition of the ban on cod fishing in the northern part of the Irish Sea?

(2001/C 89 E/113)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1879/00

by Lord Inglewood (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(9 June 2000)

Subject: Compensation for the ban on cod fishing in the northern part of the Irish Sea

Does the European Commission make funds available to Member States which may be used, at the
discretion of the Member State Government, to make payments to fishermen as compensation for damage
to their business caused by the imposition of the ban on cod fishing in the northern part of the Irish Sea?