WRITTEN QUESTION E-2314/01 by Dominique Vlasto (PPE-DE) to the Council. Meeting of EU Tourism Ministers in Lille.
Date: 2001-08-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU policy, dissemination of EU information, tourism policy

4.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 81 E/151

However, those SMUs do not always have adequate financial resources available, or else they are unwilling
to take on the business risks involved in heavy investment.

Can the Commission indicate what Community aid is available to such SMUs to support their investment
needs?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(17 October 2001)

There is no specific Community measure for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism
sector.

SMEs have access to sources of financing through programmes which are open to all SMEs and which are
not generally aimed at specific sectors but rather at achieving main Community objectives such as regional
development, rural development and employment. In overall terms, therefore, the funds available to assist
these enterprises are considerable.

The major sources of financing are undoubtedly the structural funds: the European Regional Development
Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund and the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund
(EAGGF). By way of example, projects in the tourism sector received a total contribution of € 7,3 billion in
structural funds during the period 1994-1999. The need for assistance in this sector was highlighted in the
Commission Communication (cid:145)The Structural Funds and their coordination with the Cohesion Fund:
guidelines for the 2000-2006 programmes(cid:146). This assistance may take the form of subsidies,
loans or
venture capital investments. The final decision on this assistance is taken by the management authorities in
place in the regions.

The Multiannual Programme for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, and in particular for SMEs, (2001-2005)
and the Community Research Framework Programme represent other significant sources of financing for
SMEs. € 317 million have thus been allocated to improve the financial environment of enterprises.

There is a very wide range of Community programmes, and they are not implemented centrally by the
Commission, but in cooperation with national authorities and, very often, through regional and local
authorities as mentioned above in the case of the structural funds. Sometimes the granting of assistance is
managed on behalf of the Commission by banks or venture capital organisations. SMEs looking for
information on assistance adapted to their needs are advised to contact the network of Euro Info Centres
(EICs). The members of this network are able to guide SMEs through the range of regional, national and
Community programmes available to assist them in their planned investments.

The updated list of the various EICs established in the Member States and the candidate countries can be
consulted by the public on the Commission(cid:146)s internet site at the following address: http://europa.eu.int/
comm/enterprise/networks/eic/eic.html

Moreover, operators in the tourism sector can find useful information on financing at the site of the
(cid:145)Tourism(cid:146) Unit of the Commission(cid:146)s Directorate-General for Enterprise at the following address: http://
europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/services/tourism/index_en.htm

(2002/C 81 E/176)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2314/01

by Dominique Vlasto (PPE-DE) to the Council

(3 August 2001)

Subject: Meeting of EU Tourism Ministers in Lille

Can the Council indicate what measures it has taken following the meeting of EU Tourism Ministers held
in Lille on 22 November 2000 under the French Council Presidency?

C 81 E/152

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.4.2002

Reply

(6 December 2001)

At its meeting on 30 November 2000, the Council was informed by the French Presidency about the
outcome of the seminar on Tourism and Sustainable Development held in Lille on 22 November 2000. In
addition, the Council heard Commissioner Liikanen(cid:146)s presentation of the Commission(cid:146)s progress report on
the follow-up to the Council conclusions on Tourism and Employment of 21 June 1999.

At the same occasion, the Presidency drew its conclusions on the state of affairs in this dossier.

On 1 and 2 July 2001, the Belgian Presidency organised the European Ministerial Conference in Bruges.
Ministers present at this conference heard a presentation by the Commission of the interim results of each
of the five working groups in the field of tourism (information, training, quality, sustainable development
as well as information and communication technology) and discussed the follow-up on the Council
conclusions of 21 June 1999 as well as the conference theme (cid:145)Tourism for all(cid:146). The outcome of this
conference has been presented to the Council on 27 September 2001.

(2002/C 81 E/177)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2320/01

by Torben Lund (PSE) to the Commission

(31 July 2001)

Subject: GMOs

European legislation on the use of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) is highly inadequate. Knowledge
of the implications of these production methods is still very limited and imprecise and does not take
proper account of the precautionary principle. Full product labelling is necessary if consumers are to be
able to avoid GMO products. How are the present labelling rules to ensure that consumers are able to
make an informed and genuine choice regarding GMO products (cid:129) both goods produced in the EU and
goods imported from the USA, for example. Furthermore, how will the forthcoming new labelling rules for
GMO products ensure that consumers are given real choice in respect of products consisting of, containing
or produced using GMOs, e.g. by the use of GM feedingstuffs? Will the new labelling rules cover both
goods produced in the EU and goods imported from the USA, for example?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(22 October 2001)

The Commission can inform the Honourable Member that, on 25 July 2001, it adopted a proposal for a
Regulation of the Parliament and of the Council on genetically modified food and feed (1). The Proposal
includes provisions for the mandatory labelling of all food and feed consisting of, containing or produced
from genetically modified organisms. These labelling requirements apply to both food and feed produced
within the Community as well as food and feed imported from third countries. Products such as meat, eggs
and milk from animals fed on genetically modified feed are not covered by the proposal due to the fact
that such products are not directly derived from genetically modified organisms.

(1) COM(2001) 425 final.