WRITTEN QUESTION E-3206/00 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission. EU-Cape Verde fisheries agreement.
Date: 2000-10-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Cabo Verde, agreement (EU), fishing agreement

C 151 E/96

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

22.5.2001

(2001/C 151 E/108)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3325/00

by Rosa MiguØlez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(18 October 2000)

Subject: United States ban on Community exports of yellowfin tuna and by-products

The Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Programme, to which the Community is a
signatory, requires the parties to the agreement to draw up a regulation on the statistical tracking of tuna.
The failure by the Commission to adopt such a regulation has prompted the action taken by the United
States Department of Trade, which has introduced a ban on Community exports of yellowfin tuna and by-
products. This is seriously damaging a number of Community undertakings.

What progress has been made by the Commission in drawing up and adopting this regulation? What are
the reasons for the delay? Is the Commission aware of the damage being done to certain Community
undertakings, which are unable to export their products to the United States?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-3205/00 and P-3325/00
given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(10 November 2000)

The Commission, aware that the lack of legislation to implement the tuna tracking and verification system
(TTVS) could result in an embargo, addressed this question with the United States, on the occasion of the
Community/United States high-level consultations on fisheries (held in Washington in July 2000) with a
view to avoid this type of situation. The American administration, on that occasion, showed the necessary
flexibility to provide more time for the Community to implement
instrument. However,
following a court settlement after the lawsuit presented by an American tuna importing company, the
American government was forced to apply the embargo to all those countries not having yet obtained the
so-called (cid:145)affirmative finding(cid:146).

this legal

Subsequently, the Commission and the government of Spain have agreed that, in order to resolve this
situation, the Commission will prepare a proposal that could be adopted in six months time for a
regulation to implement the TTVS. In the meantime, and in order that Spain can obtain the (cid:145)affirmative
finding(cid:146) necessary to lift the embargo, the Spanish administration will provisionally apply the TTVS
through Spanish legislation.

These initiatives have been already communicated to the American authorities. The Commission believes
that these initiatives will allow the resolution of this problem.

(2001/C 151 E/109)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3206/00

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: EU-Cape Verde fisheries agreement

(12 October 2000)

The EU-Cape Verde fisheries agreement expired on 6 September 2000; meanwhile, negotiations for a new
protocol have still not resumed. The result is the paralysis of fishing by the Community fleet in the fishing-
grounds covered by the agreement, giving rise to problems for the sector in the face of the uncertainty
generated.

In view of the importance of this agreement for the Community fleet and the situation created, can the
Commission indicate its reasons for not providing for the resumption of the negotiations for a new
protocol?

Can the Commission state on what date these negotiations will begin?

22.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 151 E/97

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(28 November 2000)

The Commission thanks the Honourable Member for his interest in the renewal of the protocol to the
EU-Cape Verde fisheries agreement and is pleased to inform him of the following:

The Commission is aware of the importance of renewing the protocol before it expires and following a
series of preliminary contacts, took part in three successive rounds of talks in Brussels on 19/20 July 2000,
Praia 23-25 August 2000 and Brussels 6/7 November 2000.

Although significant progress was made during the talks, in particular concerning fishing opportunities
and financial compensation, the two parties were unable to reach an agreement, particularly with regard to
quayside transhipment conditions.

(2001/C 151 E/110)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3210/00

by Jan Mulder (ELDR) to the Commission

(10 October 2000)

Subject: Use of agricultural products for non-food purposes

In paragraph 45 of its resolution A4-0219/98 of 18 June 1998 (1) the European Parliament stated:

The use of agricultural products for non-food purposes, e.g. for biomass, makes it possible to create
new sources of
income and jobs in rural regions. Ecological energy generation from biomass
contributes to reducing CO2 emissions. This sector should be supported in the context of Community
legislation, in particular by means of tax privileges or exemptions, and, in addition, the use of certain
non-food products with a positive life cycle analysis must be made compulsory,
in particular in
environmentally sensitive areas.

1. What action has the Commission taken so far to comply with Parliament(cid:146)s wish, apart from the
appropriations available in the Altener programme?

2.
In the light of current developments in the energy market, does the Commission advocate the
drafting of proposals requiring a certain percentage of biodiesel to be mixed with ordinary diesel, which
might have positive effects on the environment, make the EU less dependent on imports and promote the
development of new markets for oilseeds?

Does the Commission also see any prospects for the application of pure vegetable oil as a motor

3.
fuel?

(1) OJ C 210, 6.7.1998, p. 180.

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(16 November 2000)

Promoting biofuels has been one of the Community(cid:146)s aims since the early 1990s. In its recent commu-
nication on the European Union(cid:146)s oil supplies (1), the Commission(cid:146)s strategy provides for, in particular, the
presentation of an energy saving and diversification plan at the G(cid:246)teborg European Council. Among other
things that plan will aim at taking appropriate action in order to provide incentives for the use of
substitute fuels, including biofuels.

More specifically as regards the questions put by the Honourable Member: the granting of assistance in
order to promote non-food crops is not provided for under the Altener programme. The Commission