WRITTEN QUESTION P-2062/00 by Kyösti Virrankoski (ELDR) to the Commission. Requirement to purchase a plant protection manual from a private firm.
Date: 2000-06-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Finland, agri-environmental plan, document acquisition, eligibility criteria, plant health treatment, user guide

3.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 103 E/57

(2001/C 103 E/058)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2062/00

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

(16 June 2000)

Subject: Requirement to purchase a plant protection manual from a private firm

The Finnish Ministry of Agriculture has decreed that every farmer must buy a plant protection manual
from a private firm called Kasvinsuojeluseura ry (The Plant Protection Association). A separate manual has
been drawn up for each crop, even for similar types of crop such as barley and oats. The manuals cost FIM
35 each. According to a ministry announcement, purchase of the guide is compulsory for farmers who
wish to receive the agricultural environmental subsidy.

The Finnish agriculture ministry(cid:146)s requirement to purchase the manual seems pointless, since it would be
quite possible for two or more farmers to use the same copy. It would also be possible to obtain the
manual for public libraries and schools, which would make access to it cheaper for individual farmers. The
information in the guide could further be placed on the Internet, where it would be easy for farmers to use
it.

Because the requirement to purchase this manual seems to be no more than a way for a private firm to
extort money from farmers with ministry support.

I should like to ask the Commission: can the receipt of agricultural aid, which is partly funded by the EU,
be made subject to the condition that all farmers must purchase a booklet published by a private
association?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(11 July 2000)

This action is part of the regional rural development programming document for areas outside objective 1
in continental Finland in the framework of agri-environmental measures, which is presently put to the
Commission for approval on the 27 June 2000. The acquisition of the guide in question constitutes a
useful and efficient component of the overall package of agri-environmental measures proposed in the
programming document. The costs of the acquisition of these guide booklets are taken into account under
the heading of the additional costs resulting from the commitment given. They thus constitute an integral
part of the premium paid.

The body publishing these booklets is not a private enterprise, but a registered non-profit making
organisation, the management board of which is composed of representatives from e.g. farmers(cid:146) unions
and rural advisory organisations. In addition, the sale price equals the production cost, i.e. there is no
indirect subvention.

The Commission has therefore raised no objections to this proposal by Finland.

(2001/C 103 E/059)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2083/00

by Eija-Riitta Korhola (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 June 2000)

Subject: Tests for food safety currently applied to GM crops in the Member States

Is the Commission able to say which of the following tests for food safety (impact on human health) are
currently applied to GM crops in all of the Member States:

1.

2.

biochemical composition,

biological impact (a) in general, and (b) on particular groups of people such as pregnant women and
their children, immunocompromised individuals, and the elderly?