WRITTEN QUESTION E-2034/00 by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Direct aid to the farming sector.
Date: 2000-06-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Galicia, common agricultural policy

20.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 89 E/135

If so, can it indicate whether, in addition to traditional opioids, there are any new drugs which can

3.
be used to combat pain;

Does a Community agency exist which is able to coordinate such research and disseminate the

4.
findings in all the Member States?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(27 July 2000)

1.

The Commission has no data on the treatment of pain.

2.
Two research projects in the Biomed 2 programme (fourth framework programme) and in the
(cid:145)Quality of life and management of living recourses(cid:146) programme (fifth framework programme) deal directly
with the treatment of pain: (cid:145)Opioid treatment of chronic pain and inflammation in the locomotor system(cid:146)
and (cid:145)Mechanisms of trigeminal pain(cid:146). Besides these two projects, the Commission is currently funding eight
other pain research projects of a generic nature. Another project is now in the contract negotiation phase.

Under the third action plan to combat cancer (Decision 646/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 29 March 1996 (1)), a number of initiatives geared particularly towards palliative care include
pain management among their areas of action.

3.

Opioids remain the treatment of choice for patients with chronic pain.

4.
The Commission is not aware of the existence of such an agency. However, the dissemination and
possible exploitation of results is an important and mandatory element within each project funded under
the fourth and fifth framework programmes. The framework programme provides for several instruments
(concerted actions, thematic networks, virtual institutes) for coordinating research activities in a specific
field in Europe, in line with the philosophy of the European research area.

(1) OJ L 95, 16.4.1996.

(2001/C 89 E/148)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2034/00

by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Direct aid to the farming sector

(21 June 2000)

JosØ Manuel Silva, the Commissioner Director-General of Agriculture and Rural Development recently took
part in the presentation of a university study claiming that Galician agricultural productivity is a mere
16 % of the European average. In statements reported in the Galician press, Mr Silva said that the Galician
agricultural sector (cid:145)does not receive large quantities of direct aid, because its basic products, namely milk
and meat, are subject to a market system rather than subsidy arrangements(cid:146). What perverse mechanism is
that Community subsidies, especially via the EAGGF guarantee,
therefore responsible for the fact
particularly benefit the richest areas and farming communities, to the detriment of others which,
like
Galicia, are perfectly capable of developing a multi-purpose agriculture really based on the land?

Supplementary answer
given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(27 July 2000)

The Commission can confirm that the agricultural sector in Galicia receives relatively little direct aid
because its basic products, milk and meat, are mainly supported via the market out of the pockets of
consumers and not in the form of subsidies from the taxpayer.

C 89 E/136

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.3.2001

In other words, it is Community consumers and not taxpayers who support Galician farmers.

The Commission would like to point out that the European Council held in Berlin decided to postpone the
start on dairy reform until 2005 but urged the Council of Ministers to conduct a mid-term review in 2003
on the basis of a report from the Commission, with a view to allowing the present supplementary-levy
system to lapse after 2008.

The Commission hopes it can count on the support of the Honourable Member when the time finally
comes for reforming the dairy sector.

(2001/C 89 E/149)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2038/00

by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(21 June 2000)

Subject: Fisheries agreements with Morocco

What stage have the negotiations on the new European Union fisheries with Morocco reached? Is the
Commission negotiating in accordance with the recommendations made in Parliament(cid:146)s resolution?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(20 July 2000)

Following the negotiating mandate adopted by the Council, the Commission has been active at all levels to
initiate the discussions on a new relationship with Morocco as soon as possible.

The member of the Commission responsible for Fisheries visited Rabat in May 2000. He was received by
the King of Morocco and held discussions with the Prime Minister and his ministerial colleagues.

The Commission is very conscious of the concerns of the Parliament, which reflect the importance of
fisheries relations between the Community and Morocco, both from an economic and social point of view.

The Commission is confident regarding the continuation of important bilateral fisheries relations with
Morocco, with new forms of co-operation and new mechanisms,
involving both public and private
interests maintaining the mutual economic advantages and employment in the fisheries dependent areas,
which will be profitable for both parties.

In this context, the Moroccan authorities confirmed their willingness to establish a new partnership with
the Community in the fisheries sector, and expressed their availability to have a new meeting between the
two parties in July 2000.

The Commission will keep the Parliament fully informed about the development of its contacts with the
Moroccan authorities on the subject.