WRITTEN QUESTION E-2710/01 by Rolf Linkohr (PSE) to the Commission. Net import requirement for cereals.
Date: 2001-10-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: FAO, agricultural production, cereals, export (EU), increase in production, production planning, production policy, report

16.5.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 115 E/149

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(10 December 2001)

Following the mandate of the Internal Market Council of 21 June 1999, the Commission set up, in close
cooperation with Member States, five working groups aimed at further investigating the priority areas
signalled for concrete action. One of them referred to the ‘promotion of environmental protection and
sustainable tourism in Europe’. Besides Member States, experts representing the views of the tourism
industry, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), consumer organisations and other relevant stakeholders
were associated with this work. On the basis of the conclusions and recommendations issued by the
Working Groups, the Commission has adopted, on 13 November 2001, a Communication on the future
of European tourism (1), which presents an operational framework for the monitoring of policies and
activities in the Community based on an open coordination method.

In line with the unanimous agreement of all stakeholders, the Communication includes a measure to
launch the process for developing and further implementing the principles of sustainable tourism
development through the ‘Agenda 21 for European Tourism’. The Agenda 21 for Tourism is meant as an
input to the World Summit on Sustainable Development of September 2002 in Johannesburg.

Furthermore, the Commission is conducting a survey on an ‘Early warning system for identifying declining
tourist destinations and preventive best practices’. The early warning system to be developed in this study
will have the purpose of allowing inter alia tourism destinations to detect the signals of decline in a wide
range of situations and enabling them to undertake suitable actions. The definition and measurement of
carrying capacity is at the core of this study. It needs a systematic selection of indicators able to measure
and monitor the evolution of tourism towards sustainability patterns. The dynamics of monitoring is one
of the five stages in the Integrated Quality Management approach.

Finally, the Commission is also carrying out a study on ‘Using natural and cultural heritage for the
development of sustainable tourism in non-traditional tourist destinations’ which intends to provide basic
guidance on the development of sustainable tourism based on natural and cultural heritage in non
traditional tourist destinations and to draw up conclusions and recommendations including sources of
funding to promote such initiatives.

(1) COM(2001) 665.

(2002/C 115 E/153)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2710/01

by Rolf Linkohr (PSE) to the Commission

(3 October 2001)

Subject: Net import requirement for cereals

According to FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations) estimates, the net import
requirement for cereals will rise to almost 200 million tonnes world-wide in 2015, and is even expected to
climb to 270 million tonnes in 2030. Consequently, the European Union is likely to increase its net
exports fourfold over the next 30 years, to more than 60 million tonnes.

1.

Does the Commission agree with these estimates?

2.

Can the European Union produce such a quantity of cereals at world market prices?

3.

Does this not contradict the policy of growing more renewable raw materials instead of cereals?

C 115 E/150

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

16.5.2002

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(20 November 2001)

The Commission is aware of
1.
agricultural products in the Technical
April 2000.

the FAO projection for production, consumption and trade in
Interim Report entitled ‘Agriculture: Towards 2015-2030’ of

it is difficult to express an opinion on the scientific reliability of a
As the report itself makes clear,
projection so far into the future. The figures for net requirements in developing countries in the year 2030
do not seem exaggerated when account is taken of the trends in production and consumption on which
those projections are based. The figures were calculated using trade growth rates that are lower than those
recorded in the past.

2.
The study would not appear to refer directly to the level of net trade of the countries of Europe but
confines itself to the overall requirements of developing countries that are met by the traditional exporting
industrialised countries. The only figures quoted come from other sources (United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA), International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the University of Bonn); they
do not relate to the Community of Fifteen but factor in an economic recovery in the countries of eastern
Europe where production has declined in the wake of the transition from planned to market economies.

3.
The policy of growing non-food crops on land withdrawn from cereal production reflects in
particular the current balance between production and potential outlets for cereals. The obligation to
withdraw land from production depends on the development of production, productivity and the markets.

(2002/C 115 E/154)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2717/01

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(3 October 2001)

Subject: New unleaded petrol and consumer protection in Italy

Next year, leaded petrol will be officially withdrawn from the market. This will mean that any consumer
whose car does not have a catalytic converter will be unable to use the vehicle without a special additive.
This additive, when combined with super petrol, makes it possible to use such cars without prejudice to
the engine and in compliance with Community environmental legislation. In certain countries distributors
will supply the additive directly with the fuel. In Spain, for example, ‘New Super 97’ petrol containing the
additive will be marketed from next year. In Italy, however, no such initiative has been taken by any oil
company based in the country. The cost of the additive will in fact be charged entirely to the consumer, as
would the vehicle’s adjustment for the purposes of making it compatible with the new standards.

Is the Commission aware of the different attitudes of oil companies in the various EU Member States

1.
to the withdrawal of leaded petrol?

Does it not consider that such companies should take initiatives similar to those taken in Spain,
2.
thereby ensuring that compliance with European environmental standards is accompanied by effective
consumer protection?

Does it not consider that legislation is needed to harmonise the relevant rules in all the EU Member

3.
States?

Does it not consider that action is needed in such an important area to avoid creating disparities in

4.
the way in which consumers are treated within the European Union?