WRITTEN QUESTION P-0166/01 by Karin Riis-Jørgensen (ELDR) to the Commission. State aid to Dutch greenhouse gardeners.
Date: 2001-01-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Netherlands, State aid, common agricultural policy, control of State aid, energy saving, glasshouse cultivation

C 235 E/138

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.8.2001

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(23 March 2001)

The Commission recognizes the problems and development challenges highlighted in the United Nations
International children(cid:146)s emergency fund (Unicef) annual report. The Commission supports the efforts of
developing countries to improve their health and education outcomes and food security. The Commission
does this through direct investment in the social sectors and through support for international initiatives to
relieve the debt burden of the poorest countries. Former debt repayments are now used within national
budgets to fund poverty reduction efforts. This has led to increased expenditure on the social sectors
including health, education and food security.

All Member States have pledged sums to the enhanced highly indebted poor countries HIPC framework.
Disbursement now needs to be accelerated to fund poverty reduction strategies in these countries. The
Community has committed € 1 billion and disbursed € 354 million representing about a third of the total
contributions to date. The Commission would welcome further efforts by all donor countries and in
particular these G7 countries, whose contributions to the HIPC trust fund is not commenserate to the size
of their economies.

The Community provides substantive and increasing assistance for programs in the health and education
sectors in developing countries. Assistance supports the improved management and performance of health
systems including the delivery of interventions to improve maternal and child health and to increase access
to primary education, particularly for girls.

(2001/C 235 E/149)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0166/01

by Karin Riis-Jłrgensen (ELDR) to the Commission

(29 January 2001)

Subject: State aid to Dutch greenhouse gardeners

According to the Danish Ministry for Food and the Netherlands(cid:146) Ministry for Agriculture, Dutch green-
house gardeners have received DKK 574 million in aid. The Netherlands(cid:146) Ministry for Agriculture has
justified the aid on the grounds of it being a contribution to an energy-saving programme.

Can this Dutch aid scheme for greenhouse gardeners be construed in any way other than as state aid pure
and simple?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(2 March 2001)

The Commission is not in a position to indicate whether the DKK 574 million allegedly granted to the
Dutch glasshouse producers for an energy savings programme constitutes State aid in the sense of Articles
87-89 (ex Articles 92-94) of the EC Treaty. Further information would be required about the alleged grant
and the conditions attached to it.

The Commission has inquired with the Dutch authorities about aid measures which would have been
taken to compensate the Dutch agriculture sector, and in particular the glasshouse sector, for the increased
energy prices. By letter of 19 January 2001 the Dutch authorities have confirmed that no such measures
have been taken yet. Certain measures are contemplated to reduce the energy dependency and exhaust of
carbondioxide (CO2). The concrete measures are not yet known. The Dutch authorities have assured the
Commission that any such measures would be notified in accordance with Article 88(3) (ex Article 93) of
the EC Treaty.