WRITTEN QUESTION P-3479/00 by Ari Vatanen (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Current system for car taxation and its inconsistency with the internal market and free trade.
Date: 2000-10-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: customs duties, domestic market, free movement of goods, infringement of EU law, intra-EU trade, trade restriction, vehicle

6.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 163 E/133

the Financial services forum circulated the text adopted by the
The Commission representative at
Commission in the morning. In his intervention at the meeting of the Financial services forum early in
the afternoon of 11 October 2000, the chairman of the European federation for retirement provision
based his remarks on earlier drafts of Commission working documents, which were however very similar
to the final text.

(1) COM(2000) 507 final.

(2001/C 163 E/148)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3476/00

by Mario Mastella (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(8 November 2000)

Subject: Reform of the fruit and vegetable sector

In July of this year the Commission submitted a proposal to reform the fruit and vegetable sector that will
entail palpable disadvantages for the sector and Italian products in particular.

The reform proposal is calling for a substantial reduction in the financial resources earmarked for fruit and
vegetable producers and their organisations and especially for operating plans, industrial tomatoes, nuts,
and citrus fruits.

The fruit and vegetable sector accounts for 23 % of the value of Italian farm produce. The expectations are
that the reform should be adopted by the end of the year, a fact which suggests that the need to restore a
financial balance in favour of Mediterranean products has not been taken into consideration.

Will the Commission take steps to avert such a sharp cut in funding for the fruit and vegetable sector?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(13 December 2000)

The Council of agriculture ministers arrived by qualified majority at a political compromise on the reform
of the fruit and vegetable sector on Tuesday, 21 November 2000. The main points in this agreement are
the simplification of the financial rules for producer organisations, an increase in the ceiling on financial
aid towards operational programmes introduced by producer organisations, higher thresholds for various
Mediterranean products, in particular industrial tomatoes, citrus fruit and peaches, and a rise in aid for
industrial tomatoes.

(2001/C 163 E/149)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3479/00

by Ari Vatanen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(31 October 2000)

Subject: Current system for car taxation and its inconsistency with the internal market and free trade

The Commission is urged to consider the correction of distortions in car taxation as a matter of urgency.
In several Member States, the tax system treats car imports unfairly, especially when the importer is a
private citizen. The taxes levied on imported cars are frequently not based on the real value of the car,
particularly if the car is a used car. The excessively high taxes act as a barrier to intra-EU trade and prevent
the establishment of competitive markets in the European Union. Article 25 of the Treaty establishing the
European Community forbids custom duties on imports and exports between Member States as well as
charges having equivalent effect.

C 163 E/134

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2001

What does the Commission intend to do in order to correct the distortions caused by arbitrary car import
rules in the Member States? What will the Commission do to establish transparent rules on car imports
which comply with Community law?

When will European consumers be able to enjoy the benefits of a genuine internal market when buying
a car?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(8 December 2000)

On the subject of the calculation of the taxable value of cars, the Commission has already initiated
infringement proceedings against various Member States for their failure to comply in full with the Court
of Justice ruling requiring tax to be levied on the real value of the vehicle. There are also infringement
proceedings in progress in relation to tax exemptions for the temporary use of a vehicle in a Member State
other than that in which it has been registered and to exemptions relating to the transfer of vehicles on
changing residence between Member States (Council Directive 83/182/EEC of 28 March 1983 on tax
exemptions within the Community for certain means of transport temporarily imported into one Member
State from another (1) and Council Directive 83/183/EEC of 28 March 1983 on tax exemptions applicable
to permanent imports from a Member State of the personal property of individuals (1)). If the Member
States concerned fail to comply with what it recommends in its reasoned opinions, the Commission can
refer the case to the Court of Justice under Articles 226 (ex Article 169) et seq. of the EC Treaty.

As regards Article 25 of the EC Treaty and the prohibition of customs duties and charges having
equivalent effect, the Commission would inform the Honourable Member that the basis of its action on
tax matters is the ban on discrimination contained in Article 90 (ex Article 95) of the EC Treaty, not
Article 25 (ex Article 12).

In addition to its action on monitoring compliance with Community law, the Commission submitted a
proposal to the Council in February 1998 on amending Directives 83/182/EEC and 83/183/EEC to adapt
them to internal market requirements. The Council has not yet adopted that proposal. Lastly,
the
Commission is currently preparing an overall communication on vehicle taxation.

The Commission believes that its action will significantly improve the situation of the European citizen in
this area.

(1) OJ L 105, 23.4.1983.

(2001/C 163 E/150)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3482/00

by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 November 2000)

Subject: Independent operation of national competition authorities: appointment of the Greek competition

authority by designation and failure to take action in the Minoan Lines case

In view of the proposal that the regulations on the application of Articles 81 and 82 of the EC Treaty
(dealing with competition) should be amended and the recent sinking of the Express Samina car ferry,
which revealed the monopoly situation and distortion of competition brought about in both the domestic
and European coastal shipping markets through the preferential and improper issue by the Ministry for
Merchant Shipping of exclusive (cid:145)licences of expediency(cid:146) to Minoan Lines, and also because of the Greek
competition commission(cid:146)s failure to take action regarding the ministry(cid:146)s supplying of exclusive licences of
expediency to the firm in question,