WRITTEN QUESTION E-2782/00 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission. Distribution of tickets for the World Cup in 2006.
Date: 2000-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: application of EU law, competition law, sporting event

3.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 103 E/219

(2001/C 103 E/256)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2761/00

by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 2000)

Subject: EU dairy farming subsidies

Could the Commission provide me with a full breakdown of EU subsidies for:

(a) dairy farming milk production,

(b) dairy farming milk distribution, and

(c) dairy farming

per Member State per year, for the last five years?

Could the Commission also identify any other sources of European Union funding to support milk?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(27 September 2000)

Within the common market organisation for milk and milk products, milk production has so far only been
supported indirectly through intervention buying for butter and skimmed milk powder and through export
refunds and internal subsidies for certain dairy products. In the context of Agenda 2000 it has been
decided that direct support to dairy farming will be introduced from 2005.

Tables indicating the annual Community expenditure on support for milk and milk products, per Member
State and per budget heading for the period 1995-1999, are sent direct to the Honourable Member and
Parliament(cid:146)s Secretariat.

In the context of the policy of support for investments in the agricultural sector,
including for the
marketing and processing of agricultural products, the Community has supported investments aimed at
modernising installations, the improvement of quality and the achievement of environmental objectives.
These investments have been supported in accordance with certain conditions, in particular the avoidance
of increased production capacity given the surplus situation in the sector.

Concerning the amounts of aid granted during 1995-1999 relevant for the milk sector, the data are not
currently available because they form part of the structural fund programmes, which are not yet closed.

(2001/C 103 E/257)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2782/00

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 September 2000)

Subject: Distribution of tickets for the World Cup in 2006

Will the Commission be in touch with the German organisers of the 2006 football World Cup to ensure
that arrangements for the distribution of tickets comply with the EU Treaties and other EU competition
law?

C 103 E/220

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.4.2001

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 2000)

In accordance with its obligations under European law, the international football federation (FIFA) and its
appointed bodies are required to ensure that ticket distribution and sales arrangements put in place for the
2006 football world cup comply fully with EC Treaty provisions, including European competition rules.
While this remains a matter for FIFA in the absence of any ground for concern, the Commission remains
at FIFA(cid:146)s disposal to discuss and advise upon any proposed ticket sales arrangements for the 2006 football
world cup with a view to ensuring their compliance with European rules.

As the Honourable Member will be aware, the Commission addressed a decision in 1999 to the local
organising committee of the 1998 football world cup following the implementation of discriminatory
ticket sales arrangements favouring consumers resident in France. While the Commission does not wish to
see any repetition of those or indeed the unjustified implementation of other discriminatory ticket sales
arrangements, the Honourable Member should be aware that where it is appropriate to do so the
Commission will not hesitate to take action against tournament organisers who fail to comply with their
legal obligations under the EC Treaty in this regard.

(2001/C 103 E/258)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2799/00

by Olivier Dupuis (TDI) to the Commission

(4 September 2000)

Subject: Involvement of European companies AGIP and BP Amoco in the exploitation of Tibetan oil

resources by the People(cid:146)s Republic of China

The China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) has begun building a gas pipeline to transport gas from
the Tsaidam Basin in Tibet to Lanzhou. The CNPC is a state monopoly with sole rights to exploit Tibet(cid:146)s
oil and gas resources. The CNPC(cid:146)s partners are the Italian company AGIP Petroleum, the British company
BP Amoco and Enron.

What information does the Commission have regarding the extent of the involvement by AGIP and BP
Amoco in the project by China to appropriate and exploit Tibet(cid:146)s natural resources? Does it not consider
that the implementation of this project will lead to a further influx of Chinese settlers into Tibet, as well as
damaging the environment, and that it should therefore deter any involvement by Union companies? Does
the Commission have any information as to whether there have been any discussions concerning the
project between the European companies involved and the Tibetan government-in-exile? Does it not
consider that this project is inconsistent with the principles of self-government for Tibet, protection of the
environment, sustainable development, and respect for human rights, which are stated objectives of the
Union and guidelines for its external action?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(18 September 2000)

The Commission is committed to the preservation of the cultural, linguistic, and religious identity of the
autonomous region of Tibet. This issue has been consistently raised within the Union-China human rights
dialogue as well as in the framework of the political dialogue with Beijing. The Commission also
endeavours to promote sustainable development through its cooperation programme with China, and
maintains a dialogue with China on global environmental objectives, in particular biodiversity.