WRITTEN QUESTION E-2182/00 by Paul Rübig (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Ownership structure of Energie AG.
Date: 2000-07-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Upper Austria, award of contract, electrical energy, electrical industry, energy supply, invitation to tender, liberalisation of the market, nuclear industry

C 81 E/168

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.3.2001

As for measures to improve the productivity and competitiveness of Community yards, the Commission
considers that the aids mentioned above are better geared towards helping Community yards to improve
their competitiveness than continued operating aid.

(1) OJ L 202, 18.7.1998.

(2001/C 81 E/214)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2182/00

by Paul R(cid:252)big (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 July 2000)

Subject: Ownership structure of Energie AG

The land of Upper Austria is 100 % owner of the energy-supply undertaking Energie AG. Liberalisation of
the electricity market is forcing energy suppliers to create larger units in order to retain customers for their
electricity by lowering costs and increasing market penetration.

The Upper Austria land assembly (Landtag) consequently decided to sell a 25,1 % share in Energie AG. At
the same time it was determined that suppliers who use nuclear power in electricity generation would be
excluded from submitting bids. As a consequence of that decision, only Austrian electricity undertakings
can submit bids for the 25,1 % and electricity undertakings in other EC countries are excluded from
bidding.

Does such a procedure comply with European law, and are contracts concluded under such conditions
valid in EU law?

Answer by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(8 September 2000)

The matter referred to by the honourable member is not covered by European directives on contracts by
invitation to tender. As a result, it is up to the owner of Energie AG, the Land of Upper Austria, to
stipulate the conditions for inclusion in the group of potential buyers that must be met by those seeking to
acquire a 25,1 % share. This must of course be in compliance with all the provisions of the contract.

(2001/C 81 E/215)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2183/00

by Caroline Lucas (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Force-feeding for foie gras production

(3 July 2000)

The great suffering imposed on ducks and geese kept for foie gras production was highlighted by the
Report of the Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare, Welfare Aspects of the
Production of Foie Gras in Ducks and Geese, adopted on 16 December 1998, which concluded that
force-feeding, as currently practised, is detrimental to the birds(cid:146) welfare.

Force-fed birds have a mortality rate 10-12 times higher than birds reared normally, and insertion of the
feeding pipe can result in bruising and even perforation of the oesophagus. Force-feeding results in the
birds(cid:146) liver swelling to 6-10 times its normal size.

What plans does the Commission have to publish a proposal for a Directive banning the force-feeding of
birds for foie gras production or to implement the recommendations of the Scientific Committee on
Animal Health and Animal Welfare on the Welfare aspects of the Production of Foie Gras in Ducks and
Geese?