WRITTEN QUESTION E-4055/00 by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Central European Bank: how much do its directors earn?.
Date: 2001-01-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Central Bank, decision-making body (EU), pay

C 174 E/222

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

19.6.2001

Moreover, it is important to emphasise that the extension of a motorway concession by a public body,
possibly in breach of Community rules on the award of public contracts, should also be examined in light
of the rules governing State aids in the transport sector when a beneficiary company is not required to
assume the risks and expenditure which would need to be borne by any private investor in a market
economy.

(1) OJ L 187, 20.7.1999.

(2001/C 174 E/237)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4054/00

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Council

(15 January 2001)

Subject: Central European Bank: how much do its directors earn?

On several occasions questions have been asked concerning the salaries of the European Central Bank
(ECB) directors (in 1999, 2000 and 2001). On each occasion the Council has glossed over its replies,
taking refuge behind abstract formulas and incomprehensible parameters.

Could a clear reply now be given? How much did they receive in 1999 (under all headings, without any
exceptions) and in 2000?

Figures are required, not words.

Reply

(12 March 2001)

It is not for the Council to fix the terms and conditions of employment of the members of the Executive
Board of the ECB. Indeed, in accordance with Art. 11 (3) of the Protocol of the Statute of the ESCB and
ECB, these are subject to contracts with the ECB and are fixed by its Governing Council.

(2001/C 174 E/238)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4055/00

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(9 January 2001)

Subject: Central European Bank: how much do its directors earn?

On several occasions questions have been asked concerning the salaries of the European Central Bank
(ECB) directors (in 1999, 2000 and 2001). On each occasion the Commission has glossed over its replies,
taking refuge behind abstract formulas and incomprehensible parameters.

Could a clear reply now be given? How much did they receive in 1999 (under all headings, without any
exceptions) and in 2000?

Figures are required, not words.

19.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 174 E/223

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(12 February 2001)

The Commission does not know the individual emoluments of the members of the Executive Board of the
European Central Bank (ECB). According to the notes on the Profit and Loss Account of the ECB for the
year ending 31 December 1999 the emoluments of the Executive Board of the ECB amounted to a total of
€ 1,8 million in the year 1999 (1).

(1) ECB Annual Report 1999, page 156.

(2001/C 174 E/239)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-4058/00

by Ioannis Mar(cid:237)nos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(20 December 2000)

Subject: Inspection of meat imported into Greece

The Greek press reports that there are only 250 public health inspectors in Greece, whereas the country
needs at least 1000 in order to safeguard consumers(cid:146) health as Greece is a net importer of meat products
from within and outside the European Union. In addition to the shortage of personnel, allegations have
emerged that inspections of meat and other imported produce are inadequate as they are carried out on a
five-day basis and only during civil servants(cid:146) eight-hour working day, whereas the largest quantities are
imported at times when no inspection is possible. The Greek State Secretary for Agriculture acknowledged
the laxity of the inspections when he referred to (cid:145)occasional(cid:146) checks being carried out and only on
weekdays. What action will the Commission take to compel the Greek authorities to increase the number
of staff and inspections to ensure that public health in Greece is effectively protected? Are there other
Member States in which inspections of meat are carried out only five days a week and during office hours
and, if so, which? In which Member States are inspections carried out every day and at any time that
consignments are imported?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf on the Commission

(23 February 2001)

The Commission(cid:146)s Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) carried out an inspection in Greece for the purpose of
assessing controls at border inspection posts from 29 March 1999 to 3 April 1999. Following an
exchange of correspondence, the Greek central competent authorities (CCA) were requested to give
additional information in relation to the recommendations of the inspection report and they responded
on 29 February 2000 with satisfactory guarantees. The Commission intends to carry out a further
inspection on import controls in Greece in March 2001.

The FVO carried out an inspection in Greece from 25 to 29 September 2000 on the production of fresh
meat (pork). This revealed continuing, serious problems and so the Greek CCA were requested by letter of
31 October 2000 to submit an action plan. The objective is for Greece to address, by means of
constructive proposals, the identified weaknesses in the systems of control and to set a timetable for
their urgent implementation. The CCA(cid:146)s reply was received by the Commission on 20 December 2000 and
is currently being examined.

Businesses, including meat factories and ports, work varying hours. Meat factories tend to work regular
hours whereas outside factors impinge on ports. As an official presence/supervision is prescribed for
certain activities, fees are levied. The calculation of the fees is based on known hours and throughputs.
Staffing is adjusted to cover the hours. This sometimes involves official staff being on-call for situations not
requiring a full-time presence. In fact, most Member States carry out import controls outside of official
office working hours.