WRITTEN QUESTION E-3044/00 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission. Red diesel.
Date: 2000-09-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: agricultural vehicle, control of State aid, fuel tax, intra-EU trade

C 151 E/46

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

22.5.2001

continuance of divergent hallmarking provisions in some Member States are forming a considerable
obstacle to intra-Community trade in products made from precious metals by imposing costly and time-
consuming certification procedures before such products can enter the market. Although these obstacles to
the free movement of goods have been known about for some time, a number of Member States are
apparently holding up the urgently needed efforts towards harmonisation.

1. What reasons does the Council consider are currently still standing in the way of the rapid adoption
of the common position?

Is the Council prepared to deal with this topic under the French Presidency and to ensure the rapid

2.
adoption of the common position which has been outstanding since 1994?

Reply

(22 December 2000)

As the Honourable Member(cid:146)s question states, the Commission submitted a proposal on goods made

1.
from precious metals in 1993.

The Council has considered the proposal on several occasions with a view to reaching a common position.

However, it has not been possible to resolve the issue as two major problems have been encountered (cid:129)
the provisions on marking and certification procedures.

2.

At present, the Council has no plans to resume its consideration of the proposal.

(2001/C 151 E/058)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3044/00

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(28 September 2000)

Subject: Red diesel

Can the Commission detail fuel subsidies provided to farmers in the various Member States of the Union,
such as the (cid:145)Red Diesel(cid:146) provided within the UK?

What plans does the Commission have, in the interests of free competition, to propose harmonisation of
such subsidies?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(9 November 2000)

The Commission does not have the information requested. According to Article 8(2)(f) of Directive 92/81/
EEC of 19 October 1992 on the harmonisation of the structures of excise duties on mineral oils (1),
without prejudice to other Community provisions, Member States may apply total or partial exemptions or
reductions in the rate of duty to mineral oils used under fiscal control exclusively in agricultural and in
horticultural works, and in forestry and inland fisheries. Directive 92/81/EEC does not oblige Member
States to communicate to the Commission the duties actually applied in agriculture.

Consequently, as long as they remain within the framework set by Directive 92/81/EEC, differences
between Member States in taxation of diesel used in agriculture are thus the result of this Directive.
A Commission proposal for a Council directive restructuring the Community framework for the taxation
of energy products (2) is under examination in the Council.

22.5.2001

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 151 E/47

However, it is the Commission(cid:146)s point of view that automatic derogations from Directive 92/81/EEC like
that applicable to agricultural diesel also have to be considered state aid if they fulfil the conditions of
Article 87 (1) (ex Article 92) of the EC Treaty, that means if they are selective (for example, a special rate
for the producers of certain crops, or for certain types of producers). Such measures would have to be
notified to the Commission under state aid rules before being implemented. If the Honourable Member has
information about the existence of selective tax measures relating to agricultural diesel, the Commission
would ask to be informed about this.

(1) OJ L 316, 31.10.1992.
(2) OJ C 139, 6.5.1997.

(2001/C 151 E/059)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3046/00

by Daniel Hannan (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 September 2000)

Subject: EU centres for study and research

A number of EU Centres for Study and Research exist around the world, of which several are located in
the USA.

What is their purpose?

What funding do they receive?

What have they achieved over the past two years?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(8 December 2000)

There are many study and research centres around the world whose names contain the word (cid:145)European(cid:146),
including some in the United States.

However, the only research centre directly funded by the Union is the Joint Research Centre (JRC), which is
a Directorate-General of the Commission. The JRC is located at a number of sites around the Union: Ispra
(Italy), Karlsruhe (Germany), Petten (Netherlands), Seville (Spain) and Geel (Belgium).

The JRC helps implement the Framework Programme for research and technological development. Its
activities are covered in annual reports, the two most recent having the reference numbers COM(1999) 222
final and COM(2000) 366 final.

Further information on the Joint Research Centre can be found on the JRC website at http://www.jrc.ce-
c.eu.int

(2001/C 151 E/060)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3051/00

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 September 2000)

Subject: Funding for education about wildlife

The Commission has acknowledged on several occasions the need to improve young people(cid:146)s prospects by
means of educational reforms and programmes. Do existing programmes provide for initiatives particularly
aimed at improving their knowledge of fauna and the natural sciences?