WRITTEN QUESTION P-4071/00 by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission. Commission intervention in connection with the Júcar-Vinalopó diversion (Spain).
Date: 2000-12-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EC Directive, Spain, complaint to the Commission, environmental impact, hydraulic works, impact study

3.7.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 187 E/127

establishing a specially low VAT rate in order to encourage greater use of non-polluting energy sources
and to reduce the use of materials which give rise to pollution and will the Commission outline what its
present and future plans and incentives are for encouraging greater use of oils derived from vegetables
which can be used in motor vehicles and commercial fleets?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(1 February 2001)

The situation under current Community VAT legislation is that category 9 of Annex H of the 6th Council
directive 77/388/EEC (1) covers the (cid:145)supply, construction, renovation and alteration of housing provided as
part of social policy(cid:146). Member States may therefore allocate a reduced VAT rate of no less than 5 % to these
services.

Solar panels, once incorporated into this global process, are automatically covered by this provision, just as
all building material when they are supplied as a part of a service provided by a building contractor.
Whereas the same goods when bought across the counter by an individual are considered as supply of
goods, and therefore the standard rate applies.

As far as the zero rate is concerned, it must be noted that it is an exception to the normal rules which
foresee that the standard VAT rate should apply to any taxable transaction as a consumption tax.

As the Honourable Member will know, the new VAT strategy (2) foresees that a review and rationalisation
of the rules and derogations applying to the definition of reduced VAT rates should be considered in the
medium term. Particular attention will be paid to the rates applying to the use of reduced VAT rates in
Community policies (e.g. to help protect the environment, etc.).

(1) OJ L 145, 13.6.1977, Directive as last amended by Council Directive 2000/65/CE, of 17 October 2000 (OJ L 269,

21.10.2000).

(2) COM(2000) 348 final.

(2001/C 187 E/134)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-4071/00

by Mar(cid:237)a Sornosa Mart(cid:237)nez (PSE) to the Commission

(20 December 2000)

Subject: Commission intervention in connection with the Jœcar-Vinalop(cid:243) diversion (Spain)

At the end of October 2000 the Commission was looking into the environmental impact of the Jœcar-
Vinalop(cid:243) diversion project, having received a complaint in addition to my own series of written questions.
As part of its investigations, the Commission had asked the Spanish authorities for their remarks on the
project and on the application of the Birds Directive in this case.

Nevertheless, the Spanish Environment Ministry recently approved the commencement of work on the
project.

Can the Commission say what stage has been reached in its investigations into the environmental impact
of the Jœcar-Vinalop(cid:243) diversion?

Is the Commission aware of the Spanish authorities(cid:146) approval of these works?

C 187 E/128

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.7.2001

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(12 February 2001)

As the Honourable Member was informed in reply to Written Questions E-0819/00 (1) and E-2650/00 (2),
the Commission has received a complaint about the Jœcar-Vinalop(cid:243) diversion project in which it is claimed
that Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and
private projects on the environment (3), as amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 (4),
Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (5), and Council
Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and
flora (6) may not have been properly applied.

As part of its examination of this case, the Commission has written to the Spanish authorities to ask them
for their observations on the above project and on the application to it of the Community Directives
concerned.

The reply from the Spanish authorities arrived recently and is currently being examined by the Commis-
sion.

The Spanish authorities have informed the Commission that the project in question is undergoing an
environmental impact assessment in accordance with Directive 85/337/EEC. The project is part of the
Hydrological Plan for the Jœcar basin. The Spanish authorities have also pointed out that the environmental
impact assessment has already been carried out and that the public has been consulted. It should be noted
that the Spanish authorities state that the environmental impact statement on this project has not yet been
adopted.

The Spanish authorities have furthermore indicated that the final construction project will not be approved
until the environmental impact statement has been adopted by the Minister of the Environment. At all
events, the Spanish authorities point out that the basic project, for which a pubic contract has already been
awarded, will have to take account of the results of the ongoing environmental impact procedure.

(1) OJ C 53 E, 20.2.2001, p. 29.
(2) OJ C 136 E, 8.5.2001, p. 66.
(3) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.
(4) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.
(5) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.
(6) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2001/C 187 E/135)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4085/00

by Gary Titley (PSE) to the Commission

(10 January 2001)

Subject: Information campaign for enlargement

When the Commission presented its annual report on the applicant countries, Mr Prodi and Mr Verheugen
announced the launch of a major information campaign within both the EU and the applicant countries.
How will the appropriations be allocated? Will NGOs be able to submit projects for funding under this
information campaign? If so, how?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(19 February 2001)

The enlargement communication strategy is now in the process of being implemented. In 2001, some
€ 9,5 million will be decentralised to Delegations in candidate countries and € 5,8 million to Commission
Representations in Member States. This represents about 80 % of the funding and this proportion will be
maintained throughout the period 2001-2006. Allocations are made by the Commission on the basis of