WRITTEN QUESTION P-3310/00 by Giuseppe Di Lello Finuoli (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Illegal building works.
Date: 2000-10-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Apulia, building industry, operational programme, protected area

C 151 E/130

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

22.5.2001

When drawing up its proposal the Commission recognised that a risk did indeed exist that imports of
sensitive agricultural products such as sugar might increase above traditional
levels with a resulting
disturbance of the market organisations concerned. For this reason, free access is envisaged to be phased
in over a transitional period of three years during which the impact can better be assessed.

In addition, safeguard measures are foreseen which provide for tariff concessions to be temporarily
suspended in cases of fraud, failure to adhere to the rules of origin or huge increases in imports into the
Community. Also the rules of origin and in particular the minimum added-value conditions will provide
further safeguards.

The Commission is furthermore being consistent with its agricultural sector proposal on the common
market organisation to apply in the sugar sector from 1 July 2001 onwards (2) which essentially provides
for a breathing space of two years during which time deeper reforms will be examined on the basis of
studies of
the
Community(cid:146)s agri-food processing industry as a whole.

the common market organisation for sugar in particular and of

the functioning of

The potential undesired side effects underlined by the Honourable Member do indeed present a challenge
to the Community(cid:146)s policy in the sugar sector until now and demonstrate the difficulties in reconciling
conflicting policy objectives. In the final analysis, however, the Commission has taken the view that the
potential benefits from its proposal clearly outweigh the potential costs for the Community when an
overall view is taken. This being said, the Commission will monitor very carefully future developments in
the sugar sector with a view to taking appropriate measures as and when necessary.

(1) COM(2000) 561 final.
(2) COM(2000) 604 final.

(2001/C 151 E/146)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3309/00

by Esko Sepp(cid:228)nen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(17 October 2000)

Subject: Remuneration of the experts assessing the situation in Austria

A group of three experts was set up by one of the EU institutions to assess the possibility of lifting the
sanctions against Austria. The group reported that it would indeed be possible to lift the sanctions. Which
institution remunerated the experts, and how much did they receive?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(29 November 2000)

The Commission did not pay the experts(cid:146) fee, and the Honourable Member is kindly requested to contact
the Council in this connection.

(2001/C 151 E/147)

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.

22.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 151 E/131

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?

Supplementary answer
given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(13 December 2000)

The Commission can inform the Honourable Member that the multi-purpose centre in Villa Castelli is not
eligible under the Structural Funds because the final beneficiary did not submit the project by the deadline
for the decision adopting the Operational Programme for the region of Apulia for 1994-1999.

(2001/C 151 E/148)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3311/00

by Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN) to the Commission

(18 October 2000)

Subject: Alitalia air fares

Regulation EEC 2409/92 (1) on air fares provides for the gradual liberalisation of tariffs complemented
(cid:145)with adequate safeguards for the interests of consumers and industry(cid:146).

On its Brindisi-Milan service, Alitalia applies an exorbitant fare of ITL 800 000 which does not help people
living in Objective 1 areas such as Apulia.

Although Article 6(1)(a) of the Regulation allows a Member State (cid:145)to withdraw a basic fare which (cid:133) is
excessively high to the disadvantage of users(cid:146), the Italian Government has not yet proposed to intervene
despite user protests calling on it to do so. Article 8 of the regulation stipulates that (cid:145)at least once a year
the Commission shall consult on air fares and related matters with representatives of air transport user
organisations in the Community(cid:146).

Has the Commission already compiled the information required under Article 8 or does it intend to
examine the exorbitant fares applied by Alitalia with a view to taking the matter up with the Italian
Government so that it may at last contribute to achieving an internal market by fixing equitable air fares
within the spirit of the Directive and the Community regulation?

(1) OJ L 240, 24.8.1992, p. 15.