WRITTEN QUESTION E-0791/01 by John McCartin (PPE-DE) to the Commission. French measures in the beef market.
Date: 2001-03-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: France, State aid, agricultural policy, aid to agriculture, cattle, common agricultural policy, control of State aid, livestock farming

13.11.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 318 E/121

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 2001)

Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 (1) lays down the general provisions applicable to
the operation of structural funds programmes, like the two Objective 1 programmes in Sweden. Four
funds contribute to the Objective 1 programmes in Sweden: the European agriculture guidance and
guarantee fund (EAGGF), the European regional development fund (ERDF), the European social fund (ESF)
and the financial instrument for fisheries guidance (FIFG). Regarding the EAGGF, Council Regulation (EC)
No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural development from the European agricultural
guidance and guarantee fund (EAGGF) and amending and repealing certain Regulations (2) governs support
for rural development. Its article 37(3), second indent, excludes support for research projects from the
scope of the Regulation. It is furthermore underlined (in Article 37(2)) the need to ensure the consistency
with other Community policies. Consequently support to agriculture research projects as defined in
Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 Article 37(3) should not be searched for under EAGGF(cid:129)Guidance
section but rather under the Community research and technological development policy.

In particular, research on employment, social environment and landscape in rural areas are addressed
within the section on new tools and models for the integrated and sustainable development of rural areas
of key action 5 (cid:145)Sustainable Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry(cid:146) of the Quality of Life Programme of the
Fifth framework programme (1998-2002).

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.
(2) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.

(2001/C 318 E/129)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0791/01

by John McCartin (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 March 2001)

Subject: French measures in the beef market

Is the Commission aware of a decision by the French government to take unilateral steps to subsidise beef
farmers for the mad cow crisis? Does the Commission regard this decision as a threat to the common
agricultural policy and have any steps been taken to reach agreement with the French authorities to ensure
that moves towards re-nationalisation of the CAP are avoided?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(2 May 2001)

The Commission is aware of the French government(cid:146)s intentions to put into place a national aids regime to
compensate farmers directly affected by the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) crisis. The French
authorities have as a matter of fact notified to the Commission a State aids regime linked to the BSE crisis,
as other Member States have also done. All notifications are being examined in the light of existing
competition rules and only those aids which the Commission may consider to be compatible with
article 87 (ex Article 92) of the EC Treaty will be authorised. To the extent that such aid will be authorised,
the Commission would not consider it a threat to the common agricultural policy. On the other hand, any
aid paid out without prior authorisation by the Commission would be illegal, and could pose a threat to
the common agricultural policy.