WRITTEN QUESTION E-1917/01 by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Elimination of EU tobacco production aids.
Date: 2001-06-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Andalusia, EU aid, suspension of aid, tobacco

C 81 E/74

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.4.2002

Associations, voluntary bodies and other non-governmental organisations in Europe. In particular it aims
to act as a launching pad for new initiatives linking major European Foundations, focusing on projects
which place the emphasis on innovative approaches in the social and political fields(cid:146).

The main projects (in terms of amount granted) carried out by the AICE up to 1997 concerned projects in
the social economy sector, town twinning and for advancing the idea of Europe.

As stated, the AICE has not received any Community funding since 1997. No audits have been carried out
on the implementation of the funds received up to 1997 though of course the accounts on the use of the
grant had to be approved before the files were closed.

(2002/C 81 E/086)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1914/01

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Incentives for undertakings to adapt to the euro

(28 June 2001)

With only eight months left before the single European currency comes into circulation, the proportion of
undertakings in the EU that have adapted to the euro remains a mere one-third: for many businesses, the
euro is something to be dealt with in due course rather than an immediate cause for concern.

However, concrete measures are required to bridge the present gap and to provide incentives for
undertakings so that the cost of adaptation to the euro (between EUR 2 000 and EUR 6 000) can be
subsidised.

What action does the Commission intend to take to create incentives to help those undertakings which
have still not adapted to the euro to do so by providing subsidies of some kind to meet the adaptation
costs?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(18 September 2001)

The Ministers of Finance have adopted the general principle that each participant is to cover the costs it
incurs when switching to the euro. Within the limits of this framework, many Member States have decided
to cover the one-off costs arising from the introduction and withdrawal of banknotes and coins (e.g. the
costs of handling, counting and transporting them) and even to take tax measures to facilitate the
adaptation of cash registers (accelerated depreciation, deduction of charges, etc). Measures of this kind are
the responsibility of the national authorities, not the Commission.

(2002/C 81 E/087)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1917/01

by Jorge HernÆndez Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Elimination of EU tobacco production aids

(28 June 2001)

Spanish tobacco producers, along with their counterparts in other Member States, have taken a firm stand
against the Commission(cid:146)s intended elimination of tobacco production aids, in view of the major social and
economic role played by this production in regions such as Andalusia where no alternative crops exist.

Tobacco production provides 6 500 Spanish growers with a living. Some 30 000 households, who have
received EU funding to the sum of ESP 18 billion, are directly or indirectly affected by what happens in the
sector.

4.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/75

Does the Commission consider it necessary to review its intentions so as to allow continuation of the
status quo as regards EU aid to the tobacco sector, thus avoiding unfair discrimination against tobacco
producers vis-(cid:224)-vis other agricultural producers at EU level?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(3 September 2001)

On 15 May 2001 the Commission adopted the Communication on a European Union Strategy for
Sustainable Development (1) to be presented to the Gothenburg European Council on 15 and 16 June
2001.

This document proposes, as part of a series of measures to address public health issues, phasing out
subsidies for raw tobacco following on from the evaluation of the common market organisation for
tobacco, which is due to be completed in 2002.

The justification for phasing out this aid is the impact the use of tobacco products has on human health
with tobacco use being held responsible for over 500 000 deaths annually in the Community. Subsidies for
tobacco-growing are not in accordance therefore with Article 152 (formerly Article 129) of the EC treaty
which stipulates that (cid:145)a high level of human health protection shall be ensured in the definition and
implementation of all Community policies and activities(cid:146).

The Commission Communication states, however, that the phasing out of tobacco subsidies can only take
place if measures are put in place to develop alternative sources of income and economic activity for
tobacco workers and growers.

The Commission will take steps to ensure that the economic and social fabric of rural tobacco-growing
areas remains vigorous.

(1) COM(2001) 264 final.

(2002/C 81 E/088)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1919/01

by Francesco Fiori (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Funding for hazelnut producers(cid:146) organisations

(28 June 2001)

The hazelnut market in the Piedmont region is in extremely healthy condition. The producers have formed
themselves into two organisations (Asprocor and Ascopiemonte) and concluded advantageous commercial
agreements with the processing and confectionery industries.

Under appropriate operational plans, these organisations assist member producers in the marketing of
hazelnuts, to great effect.

However, this success story has so far been clouded by obvious disparities in the conditions applying to
members of the two organisations.

The Asprocor organisation, which is recognised under Regulation (EEC) No 1035/72 (1), has an
improvement plan (Regulation (EEC) No 2159/89 (2)) covering some 100 members, and can now extend
that plan to cover all its members and pay each member of the organisation approximately EUR 200 per
annum for a further six to seven years.

However, the funding for which the Ascopiemonte organisation (recognised under Regulation (EC) No
2200/96 (3))
is eligible is limited by business turnover and the provisions of the regulation itself. In
particular, Ascopiemonte is not eligible for the funding available under the improvement plan provided for
in Regulation (EEC) No 2159/89.