WRITTEN QUESTION E-0100/01 by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission. Impact of storms in Galicia on fisheries and shellfishing.
Date: 2001-01-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: FIFG, Galicia, bad weather, economic consequence, fishing industry, indemnification, shellfish farming

3.7.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 187 E/183

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(13 March 2001)

According to Commission Decision 2000/418/EC of 29 June 2000 regulating the use of material
presenting risks as regards transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (BSE) and amending Decision 94/
474/EC (1), specified risk material (SRM) shall be completely destroyed by:

(cid:129) incineration with or without pre-processing,

(cid:129) co-incineration with pre-processing,

(cid:129) burial in an approved landfill site after pre-processing of at least 133(cid:176) C for 20 minutes at 3 bars of

pressure.

Point 4 of Annex I to this Decision establishes that Member States may allow the burial of SRM in the
circumstances set out in Article 3(2) of Council Directive 90/667/EEC of 27 November 1990 laying down
the veterinary rules for the disposal and processing of animal waste, for its placing on the market and for
the prevention of pathogens in feedstuffs of animal or fish origin and amending Directive 90/425/EEC (2)
and by a method which precludes all risk of transmission of a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy
(TSE) and is authorised and supervised by the competent authority.

Commission experts carry out regular on-the-spot checks in all Member States to verify the correct
implementation of Community legislation on BSE and related matters, including the above mentioned
legislation on SRM.

In cases where, after establishing the facts, it appears to the Commission that a Member State is not
fulfilling its obligations, the Commission is prepared to take all necessary action within its power to ensure
that Community law is respected.
In appropriate cases this action would include the opening of
infringement proceedings under Article 226 (ex Article 169) of the EC Treaty.

(1) OJ L 158, 30.6.2000. Decision last amended by Commission Decision 2001/2/EC of 27 December 2000 (OJ L 1,

4.1.2001).

(2) OJ L 363, 27.12.1990.

(2001/C 187 E/196)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0100/01

by Rosa MiguØlez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Impact of storms in Galicia on fisheries and shellfishing

(29 January 2001)

The economy of regions such as Galicia in Spain, as well as regions of Portugal and France on the Atlantic
seaboard, have been and continue to be badly hit by the severe storms which have been wreaking havoc
on Europe(cid:146)s Atlantic coast since last October. The production systems of these regions, which are highly
dependent on the primary sector (i.e. agriculture and fisheries), are feeling the effects of these adverse
weather conditions.

The loss to shellfishing in Galicia caused by the decimation of stocks of bivalves resulting from the fall in
water salinity is estimated at ESP 7 billion. Some species have been completely wiped out, and young
shellfish have also been affected. Consequently, not only this year(cid:146)s harvest, but the basis for next year(cid:146)s as
well, have been completely lost.

The storms have inflicted unprecedented losses on agriculture and fisheries. Farmers have requested a range
of support measures from the competent authorities, including soft loans and direct aid to compensate for
lost income.

C 187 E/184

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.7.2001

Fishermen, meanwhile, speak of disaster, tragedy and despair. The small-scale fishing in small vessels in
which they are engaged represents the sole source of income for many families, which have been forced to
survive on less than ESP 30 000 a month. Having been confined to port
the
circumstances for some have become so dire that they have been forced to turn to loans and the social
services for help. Fishermen(cid:146)s guilds such as that in Cedeira (La Coruæa) have resorted to taking out bank
loans as a means of providing immediate economic assistance to its members.

for three months,

Given the traditionally low take-up of FIFG resources, will the Commission consider the possibility of
cofinancing support measures for estuary fishing and shellfishing in those regions of Europe hardest hit by
the storms, such as Galicia? Has the Spanish Government put forward a proposal of any kind to this
effect?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(16 February 2001)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member(cid:146)s concern over the situation for fishermen and shellfish
farmers hit by bad weather over recent months in regions such as Galicia.

The Commission would point out that under certain conditions specified in Article 16 of Council
Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 of 17 December 1999 laying down detailed rules and arrangements
regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector (1), Member States may grant fishermen
compensation, part-financed by the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG), for temporary
cessation of activities under unforeseeable circumstances,
in particular cessation for biological reasons.
However, for the 2000-2006 programming period, the total amount is limited to € 1 million or 4 % of the
Community financial assistance allocated to the sector in the Member State concerned.

In light of these circumstances,
granting any compensation allowances.

it is up to the Spanish government to take appropriate decisions on

The Commission would stress that the implementation rate for the FIFG in Spain in 1994-1999 will be
almost 100 %. For 2000-2006,
implementation of the FIFG is progressing in line with programming
expectations.

(1) OJ L 337, 30.12.1999.

(2001/C 187 E/197)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0102/01

by Brice Hortefeux (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 January 2001)

Subject: Choice of key period for transition to euro

On 11 October 2000 the Commission adopted a recommendation on measures to facilitate the prepara-
tion of economic operators for the changeover to the euro. One of the proposals set out in this
communication is that these operators should be encouraged to start gaining experience in using the
euro as of the third quarter of 2001.

This key period, from June to September, also happens to be the period during which most people,
including the staff of the Community institutions, take their annual holiday. It therefore seems rather
unlikely that the social partners, economic operators and European citizens will take heed of such
a proposal.

1. Why was the third quarter of 2001 chosen as a key period in the changeover to the euro?

2.
In recommending that bank accounts be converted into euro during the third quarter of 2001, when
most European citizens are on holiday, does the Commission not fear it will cause unnecessary confusion?