WRITTEN QUESTION E-2711/01 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Operational methods of the Gastouni Agricultural Cooperative Producers' Organisation.
Date: 2001-10-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, Greece, exchange of information, fruit vegetable, infringement of EU law, producer organisation

C 93 E/176

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.4.2002

application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 as regards production potential (3)) for allowing
Member States to use by 15 October 2001 part (maximum 75 %) of the Community funds not used by
30 June. For the 2002 budget year she has received an allocation of € 7 323 000 for 3 028 ha.

Under Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 responsibility for restructuring plans falls to the
Member State. The Commission has no data allowing it to forecast the impact of the restructuring and
conversion plans on the competitive position of each Member State’s viticulture industry.

(1) OJ L 201, 9.8.2000.
(2) OJ L 179, 14.7.1999.
(3) OJ L 143, 6.6.2000.

(2002/C 93 E/210)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2711/01

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 October 2001)

Subject: Operational methods of the Gastouni Agricultural Cooperative Producers’ Organisation

The Greek Ministry of Agriculture’s Directorate of Plant Produce has produced a document (reference
384498/17.07.2001) stating that the committee’s report on the operation of the ‘Gastouni Agricultural
Cooperative ; Industrial Tomato Producers’ Organisation’ has revealed that
is not operating in
accordance with Community regulations and national provisions.

it

In particular:

(a) There is no guarantee of a democratic decision-making process (Regulation (EC) No 412/97 (1),
Article 3) since the rules of procedure make no provision regarding decisions by the governing board.

(b) There is no list of members approved by the county court.

(c) There is no separate account kept for the ‘Gastouni Agricultural Cooperative Industrial Tomato
Producers’ Organisation’, but in terms of accounting the producers’ organisation shares the Gastouni
Agricultural Cooperative’s bank account, so that the money in the operational fund is also available
for the Gastouni Agricultural Cooperative’s activities.

(d) The items in the operational programme (administrative personnel, supplies management etc.) also

cover the activities of the Gastouni Agricultural Cooperative.

(e) The requirements of Regulation (EC) 2201/96 (2) and the Agriculture Ministry’s Decision 351665/
20.04.2000 concerning the production and distribution of industrial tomatoes are not being met,
according to the monitoring report dated 14 March 2001 by the three-member committee of the
Directorate for Agricultural Development. Because of these shortcomings, the directorate responsible
did not make payments for the operational programme for 1997 to 2000, with the result that
Community contributions amounting to 170 000 000 drachmas have not been paid over, while
producers who are members of the Gastouni Agricultural Cooperative Producers’ Organisation have
had to pay their own contributions, since the programme’s activities are co-financed.

Although the Ministry of Agriculture is aware of these facts, no steps have been taken to ensure that the
above cooperative complies with Community regulations and national provisions.

What measures does the Commission intend to take to ensure that the cooperative complies with
Community legislation?

(1) OJ L 62, 4.3.1997, p. 16.
(2) OJ L 297, 21.11.1996, p. 29.

18.4.2002

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 93 E/177

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(6 November 2001)

The Commission has taken note of the situation involving the Gastouni producer organisation.

is contacting the national authorities to obtain details of

It
organisation so it can consider what action should be taken.

the situation involving the producer

The Honourable Member will be informed of the results of the Commission’s enquiries.

(2002/C 93 E/211)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2712/01

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 October 2001)

Subject: Destruction of a biotope in Elafoniso in Crete included in the Natura network

Since the beginning of the Summer the Municipality of Pelakano has been constructing an outdoor car
park at Elafoniso in Crete (in the prefecture of Chania) in an area protected by the Natura network and
included in the Life programme. This project is destroying an important biotope, and local inhabitants are
protesting against it.

What measures does the Commission intend to take to maintain this biotope which is protected under the
Natura network?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(12 November 2001)

The island of Elafonissos and the coast opposite have been formally proposed by the Greek authorities as
Sites of Community Importance (codes GR 4340002 and 4340015 respectively) for inclusion in the
Natura 2000 network under the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the
conservation of wild fauna and flora) (1). Management measures have also been prepared for Elafonissos as
part of a LIFE-Nature project.

The Greek authorities are responsible for preserving this area and must take all necessary measures to
ensure that activities pursued there do not cause it to deteriorate. The management plan should,
in
particular, be taken into consideration.

The Commission would ask the Honourable Member to provide further information on the problem, so
that it may do the necessary research and reply to his question.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2002/C 93 E/212)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2719/01

by Marco Formentini (ELDR) to the Commission

(26 September 2001)

Subject: Possible breach of Directive 92/43/EEC

Serious tension has arisen in the Carrosio and Gavi areas in the province of Piemonte owing to plans to
start mining work that would result in:

; the destruction of the springs which feed the aqueducts supplying drinking water to the whole of the

municipality of Carrosio and part of that of Gavi;

; and the construction of a collection point for a replacement aqueduct in the Capanne di Marcarolo

nature park.