WRITTEN QUESTION E-3029/00 by Francesco Fiori (PPE-DE), Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE), Stefano Zappalà (PPE-DE), Generoso Andria (PPE-DE), Renato Brunetta (PPE-DE), Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE), Raffaele Lombardo (PPE-DE), Francesco Musotto (PPE-DE), Guido Podestà (PPE-DE), Amalia Sartori (PPE-DE), Guido Viceconte (PPE-DE), Giorgio Lisi (PPE-DE), Giuseppe Nisticò (PPE-DE), Luigi Cesaro (PPE-DE), Marcello Dell'Utri (PPE-DE) and Mario Mauro (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Price of petroleum.
Date: 2000-09-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: business administration, common transport policy, diesel fuel, excise duty, prices, road transport, tax exemption, transport price

C 136 E/162

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.5.2001

that provision as required would penalise small-scale regional mills (which
The implementation of
characteristically work on a seasonal basis), chiefly because the expenditure on the purchase of the
above-mentioned equipment might not be recuperated in the selling prices laid down for the 2000/2001
marketing year.

Implementation of that provision is likely further to marginalise or even eliminate small regional oil mills.
This runs contrary to the Community programme the intention of which is allegedly to promote the
typical Sicilian extra virgin oils produced precisely by these small oil mills.

In view of these facts, can the Commission provide for a derogation from the application of the provision
referred to above by extending by one year the period within which the requirements laid down therein
must be implemented?

(1) OJ L 293, 31.10.1998, p. 50.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(19 October 2000)

The Commission would draw the Honourable Member(cid:146)s attention to the reasons for its introduction of
automatic weighing systems as a control tool in mills.

In 1998 both the Council and Parliament clearly intimated that the transitional period of three years
(1998/1999 to 2000/2001) for olive oil needed to see progress in transparency and control in the sector.

It was evident therefore that greater discipline should be imposed in enabling growers to benefit from what
is due to them and continue being supported in the future.

The measures introduced by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2366/98 of 30 October 1998 laying down
detailed rules for application of
for the 1998/1999 to
2000/2001 marketing years, notably on weighing of the olives, are undoubtedly the minimum needed to
guarantee the transparency that the whole olive oil production industry demands.

the system of production aid for olive oil

Moreover, the Court of Auditors in its Special Report No 11/2000 (1) stressed the need to improve controls
in the sector. Analysis of the first results achieved and the experience gained through implementation of
Regulation (EC) No 2366/98 show that these measures must continue. Given the situation the Commission
cannot grant a one-year extension of the time limit for compliance with point (b)
in Article 7 of
Regulation (EC) 2366/98 but must insist that it be strictly respected.

(1) OJ C 215, 23.7.2000.

(2001/C 136 E/190)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3029/00

by Francesco Fiori (PPE-DE), Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE),
Stefano Zappal(cid:224) (PPE-DE), Generoso Andria (PPE-DE), Renato Brunetta (PPE-DE),
Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE), Raffaele Lombardo (PPE-DE), Francesco Musotto (PPE-DE),
Guido Podest(cid:224) (PPE-DE), Amalia Sartori (PPE-DE), Guido Viceconte (PPE-DE),
Giorgio Lisi (PPE-DE), Giuseppe Nistic(cid:242) (PPE-DE), Luigi Cesaro (PPE-DE),
Marcello Dell(cid:146)Utri (PPE-DE) and Mario Mauro (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 September 2000)

Subject: Price of petroleum

In view of the following facts:

(cid:129) the cost of petroleum supplies has reached high levels and does not look likely to fall significantly;

8.5.2001

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 136 E/163

(cid:129) this trend will have inflationary repercussions on the cost of road transport, which covers 60 % of

present-day demand, a percentage which is not likely to fall in the short term;

(cid:129) the reactions of road hauliers will force governments to take measures to prevent protests;

(cid:129) the provisions in force at European level do not permit tax reductions to be granted to the road

transport sector alone;

(cid:129) this situation makes it difficult to introduce measures to reduce taxation because of the high cost it

generates;

(cid:129) the introduction of a trade price for diesel oil might appear to be the best solution to reduce inflation

and prevent distortions of competition;

does the Commission intend swiftly to adopt a directive introducing a trade price for diesel oil for the road
transport sector?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(7 November 2000)

In the context of defining coordinated action at Community level following the significant increase in
petroleum prices, the Commission has repeatedly expressed its opinion on the selective reduction of excise
duties, in particular on diesel for commercial vehicles.

The Commission considers that a reduction in excise duties and VAT for road transport must not go
against the objectives of Community transport, energy and environmental policy. The medium-term
priorities must instead be the redistribution of transport modes, the development of a real internal energy
market and the promotion of energy saving. The much-needed economic restructuring of the road
transport sector should not be postponed.

The Commission must determine whether specific excise derogations are in line with tax (1) and competi-
tion rules before Member States grant them.

(1) Council Directive 92/81/EEC of 19 October 1992 on the harmonisation of the structures of excise duties on

mineral oils (OJ L 316, 31.10.1992).

(2001/C 136 E/191)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3030/00

by Stefano Zappal(cid:224) (PPE-DE), Generoso Andria (PPE-DE),
Francesco Musotto (PPE-DE), Guido Viceconte (PPE-DE), Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE),
Giorgio Lisi (PPE-DE), Giuseppe Nistic(cid:242) (PPE-DE), Mario Mauro (PPE-DE),
Raffaele Lombardo (PPE-DE), Umberto Scapagnini (PPE-DE), Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE),
Amalia Sartori (PPE-DE) and Francesco Fiori (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 September 2000)

Subject: Flood in Calabria

In view of the following facts:

(cid:129) on 10 September 2000 in Soverato, a commune of the region of Calabria in Italy, events caused by
bad weather conditions led to the deaths of at least five disabled people and a number of volunteers
and tourists, about 15 people in total, and more than twenty other people were left injured;

(cid:129) this disaster also affected the environment as a whole, causing heavy pollution as the result of the

scattering of waste from garbage dumps;

(cid:129) a deluge of water and detritus inundated a camp site which, although authorised, would seem to be

located in an area defined as at high environmental risk, i.e. on the shore of a watercourse;