WRITTEN QUESTION P-3201/00 by Françoise Grossetête (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Rules governing family fruit growers and producers of potable spirits.
Date: 2000-10-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU employment policy, competence of the Member States, family farming, fruit-growing, organisation of professions, spirits

3.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 103 E/241

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(30 October 2000)

The Commission is sending the information requested direct
Parliament(cid:146)s Secretariat.

to the Honourable Member and to

(2001/C 103 E/283)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3156/00

by Rainer Wieland (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 October 2000)

Subject: Transport taxes on pleasure boats in Greece

Is the Commission aware that, pursuant to Article 11(1) of Act 2743/1999, transport taxes are payable to
the port police authority(cid:146)s special capital account in respect of private pleasure craft over 7 metres in
length (cid:129) irrespective of their country of registration (cid:129) which are not regularly anchored in Greek waters?

Does the Commission consider that this tax conflicts with the basic notion of a united Europe and with
Community law, particularly the principle of freedom of movement and the rule that EU Member States
may not charge other EU citizens for entry into their territory?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(14 November 2000)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written E-1062/00 by Mr von
Wogau (1).

(1) OJ C 26 E, 26.1.2001, p. 150.

(2001/C 103 E/284)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3201/00

by Fran(cid:231)oise GrossetŒte (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 October 2000)

Subject: Rules governing family fruit growers and producers of potable spirits

There are no harmonised rules to date governing the occupation of family fruit grower, producer of
potable spirits and home distiller as such. Great disparities at national level continue to operate in respect
of this occupation. Does the Commission plan to draw up a set of Community rules which could be
applied to the pursuit of this occupation?

Answer by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(27 October 2000)

Regulations governing the pursuit of professions do not as such come under Community law, which
means that the Member States are in theory free to set the conditions for the pursuit of professions in their
territory. In so doing, the Member States must nevertheless comply with Community rules on the free
movement of professionals.

With regard to the requirements and formalities imposed by the Member States in connection with the
pursuit of professional activities in their territory, such as the need for a permit, the Member States are
bound by the principles stated in Articles 43 and 49 (ex Articles 52 and 59) of the EC Treaty on the right

C 103 E/242

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.4.2001

of establishment and the freedom to provide services. In the case of the right of establishment, which is
likely to concern producers of potable spirits more than the provision of services, while the Member States
that govern the pursuit of the profession cannot refuse access to professionals who satisfy the conditions
of professional experience indicated in Directive 1999/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 7 June 1999 establishing a mechanism for the recognition of qualifications in respect of the
professional activities covered by the Directives on liberalisation and transitional measures and supple-
menting the general systems for the recognition of qualifications (1), such professionals are nonetheless
required to comply with the other requirements and formalities laid down by law in the host Member
State, such as entry in a professional register or the acquisition of a professional permit, provided that
these requirements are also imposed on nationals of the host Member State and that they comply with the
principle of proportionality laid down in the EC Treaty.

Since authority in this instance lies with the Member States, there are no plans to draw up a set of
Community rules to govern the pursuit of this profession.

(1) OJ L 201, 31.7.1999.

(2001/C 103 E/285)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3310/00

by Giuseppe Di Lello Finuoli (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(18 October 2000)

Subject: Illegal building works

The municipality of Villa Castelli (Brindisi, Italy) includes a (cid:145)gravina(cid:146) (natural canal that is a characteristic
feature of the Apulian countryside), which is of outstanding natural beauty.

The whole area, including the (cid:145)gravina(cid:146), is subject to environmental restrictions under the decree issued on
18 September 1996 by the Ministry for Environmental and Cultural Assets (within the meaning of the
(cid:145)Galasso Law(cid:146)).

Law No 56/1980 enacted by the Apulia Region prohibits any building within 200 metres of a (cid:145)gravina(cid:146).

In document 3347 of 14 May 1996, the Apulia Region (Environmental Directorate (cid:129) Ecology section (cid:129)
Office for nature reserves and parks) stated that siting a new building with a surface area of 490 m2 within
the natural environment of the (cid:145)gravina(cid:146) would have an immeasurable negative impact on the landscape,
countryside, soil and surface water.

The municipality of Villa Castelli, using MOP Community funding (measures 7.3.9 and 7.3.10), has started
building work on a 693 m2 multipurpose centre within the area of the (cid:145)gravina(cid:146) in violation of environ-
mental regulations laid down by national and regional law.

Is it admissible to take advantage of MOP funding to carry out building works in violation of laws enacted
to safeguard the countryside and natural heritage?

What action does the Commission intend to take once the facts have been verified through an on-the-spot
inspection by its officials?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(3 November 2000)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.