WRITTEN QUESTION E-2447/01 by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission. Weather forecasting in Europe.
Date: 2001-09-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: COST, Europe, meteorology, research policy, standardisation

C 160 E/14

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.7.2002

duty rates on mineral oils, and Member States are free to establish their national rates at any level,
providing that it will not be less than the corresponding Community rate.

According to Article 6 of Council Directive 92/12/EEC of 25 February 1992 on the general arrangements
for products subject to excise duty and on the holding, movement and monitoring of such products (2),
excise duty payable on excisable goods, shall become chargeable at the time of release for consumption,
i.e. at the time of departure of the mineral oils from a tax warehouse, or at the time of their importation.

The Commission fully agrees that it is important to ensure that at the time of release for consumption the
calculation for taxation purposes of the volume of mineral oils is not altered by temperature effects
whatever the season and irrespective of location from which the release for consumption takes place. In
practice, this is achieved by using a common denominator applied Community wide, which converts the
volume of each specific mass of mineral oils, measured under any ambient temperature, to the volume
which corresponds to the standard temperature of 15 °C. Directive 92/81/EEC does not contain a
conversion, method or guidance to national administrations concerning this conversion, apparently
because existing international standards (3), established by specialised international organisations, cover this
conversion in a sufficient manner. In fact, these organisations have established detailed scientific tables,
containing corrective volume coefficients for each temperature and mineral oil specific mass.

According to the provisions of Directive 92/12/EEC, which contains the general arrangements for products
subject to excise duty, and on the holding, movement and monitoring of such products, the excise duty to
be paid is to be levied and collected according to the procedure laid down by each Member State.

The Commission has no evidence that Finland has incorrectly transposed the Community fiscal provisions
mentioned above, and in particular those contained in Council Directives 92/81/EEC and 92/12/EEC. The
Commission has regular contact with all Member States, either on a bilateral basis, or within the context of
the Excise Committee, and this subject has not been raised. There appears no valuable reason for changing
the standard temperature from 15 °C to 9 °C, as Member States can easily convert any volume of mineral
oils measured under any ambient
temperature to the volume which corresponds to the standard
temperature of 15 °C.

(1) OJ L 316, 31.10.1992.
(2) OJ L 76, 23.3.1992.
(3)

In particular American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
Standardisation (ISO) 91/1/1982.

tables or

International Organisation for

(2002/C 160 E/015)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2447/01

by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission

(11 September 2001)

Subject: Weather forecasting in Europe

A brief comparative analysis of weather forecasting systems in the EU Member States shows that
responsibilities and organisational arrangements in this area differ considerably according to each country’s
historical background. A significant example of this can be found in Italy where responsibility, under the
state monopoly, has been entrusted to the armed forces, and more specifically to the air force, but where
the regions have gradually built up their own forecasting system, partly to make up for the obvious
shortcomings in local weather forecasting. Clearly, however, weather forecasting in Europe will, in the
international context, increasingly be required to meet harmonisation and standardisation requirements at
all levels, from continent-wide reports to the more detailed local weather forecasts.

Will the Commission state what action may European Union may be expected to take in this respect?

4.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 160 E/15

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(8 November 2001)

The concept of harmonising activities in the field of meteorology is not new, the first international
meteorological organisation to focus on harmonising weather data exchange was founded in 1880. This
co-operation has been continued by the World Meteorological Organisation, founded in 1950 under the
United Nations. Constant developments in measurement, calculation, and telecommunication techniques
have demanded continuous research and development activities within the meteorological community.

On the basis of its international and interdisciplinary nature, meteorology was included as one of the
original seven scientific areas of COST (European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technical
Research) when it was founded in 1971. COST is a mechanism of co-operation and of networking of
national research. One of the most important outcomes of the first meteorological COST Action was the
establishment of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts in Reading, United Kingdom
(ECMWF). Although there is considerable variation in responsibilities and organisational arrangements of
member countries, there is close cooperation among meteorologists and weather forecast specialists in
Europe.

The European Meteorological services established a ‘harmonisation organisation’, the Eumetnet. COST and
Eumetnet co-operate closely. The COST Meteorology domain promotes co-operation and harmonisation in
the meteorological communities’ work, not only for governments and armies, but also for university
departments, particularly in the case of new research ideas. COST Meteorology also participates in
harmonising and standardising of weather forecast methodology.

tasks across the different

fora therefore avoiding
This co-operation results in the distribution of
duplication. Research ideas in the form of COST Action proposals are submitted to the COST Technical
Committee on Meteorology. The Technical Committee consults Eumetnet to determine how the new
proposal might complement other initiatives before deciding whether to approve the proposal. If there is
sufficient interest in the Action (at least five countries intend to sign the Memorandum of Understanding),
a new COST Action starts. The results of COST Meteorological Actions are used by national
meteorological services, as well as by Eumetnet. COST is involved in the research phase. The costs of the
operational phase are covered by national or international organisations.

A list of COST Meteorological Actions is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat
general of the Parliament.

(2002/C 160 E/016)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2449/01

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(11 September 2001)

Subject: Amending the sixth VAT Directive 77/388/EEC in the interests of the environment

Cycling is no panacea for the urgent environmental and mobility problems which exist, but it is at least
part of the solution. Tax incentives are unquestionably an important instrument here. Accordingly,
amendments to the sixth VAT Directive 77/388/EEC (1) are called for. Annex H to the directive lists the
products in respect of which EU Member States may introduce VAT rates lower than the standard rate.

Despite a promising communication from its DG Taxation and Customs Union (‘Particular attention will
be paid to […] the use of reduced VAT rates in Community policies (e.g. to help protect the environment
[…]’ (2)), the Commission still has not taken any steps in this direction, although a trial has been organised
with a view to job creation and reducing undeclared work (by means of Directive 1999/85/EC (3)).