WRITTEN QUESTION E-2801/01 by Gian Gobbo (NI) to the Commission. Protection of typical foods and strategy to safeguard European agriculture.
Date: 2001-10-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU production, agricultural production, agro-industry, common agricultural policy, consumer information, food production, product quality, public awareness campaign

C 115 E/162

Official Journal of the European Communities

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16.5.2002

Last year, the High Court in the Community of Valencia issued an injunction ordering the building of six
bungalows on the island to be suspended as a precaution in view of the way in which such building work
would encroach on the shoreline and in view of the threat that this would pose to the protected enclave.
Despite the negative report issued by the Spanish Ministry for the Environment regarding the new Special
Plan for the Island of Tabarca, drawn up by the Municipality of Alicante and permitting the development
of the shoreline, the construction work on the bungalows continues.

What measures does the Commission intend to take vis-à-vis the Spanish authorities in order to safeguard
the conservation of the island of Tabarca, designated by Spain as a site of special Community interest and
as a special protection area for birds for the future Natura 2000 Network.

Can the Commission supply further information on the biogeographical seminars with regard to the
Mediterranean basin to which the Commission referred to in its reply to Written Question E-1253/01 (1)?
Can the Commission now deliver an opinion as to whether the proposals by Spain regarding the
protection of the natural habitat of posidonia beds in the specific case of the Alicante coast are adequate?

(1) OJ C 340 E, 4.12.2001, p. 205.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(28 November 2001)

1.
The island of Tabarca and the surrounding marine environment have very good posidonia beds on
the Spanish coast. The Spanish authorities have proposed this natural area as a site of Community
importance (SCI) which may eventually be integrated in the Natura 2000 network pursuant to Council
Directive 92/43/EEC (1) of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora and
fauna.

The Commission has no knowledge of the project referred to by the Honourable Member and its impact
on this site. The Commission’s appropriate department has therefore contacted the Spanish authorities,
asking them for their observations on the facts reported and to determine whether the project in question
is likely to have a significant effect on the site in the light of the objectives of Directive 92/43/EEC, in
which case the procedure provided for in its Article 6 should be applied.

As indicated in the answer

the
2.
biogeographical seminars are mainly a mechanism serving as an aid to determine whether the Member
States have provided complete national lists in the light of the objectives of Directive 92/43/EEC. Only
after discussions have taken place at these seminars will the Commission be in a position to compile the
lists of sites of Community interest that may be adopted subsequently.

to the Honourable Member’s Written Question E-1253/01,

As regards the ‘Posidonia beds’ habitat (Posidonion oceanicae), one of the conclusions of the first seminar
for the Mediterranean was that it was necessary to improve the geographical representation of this habitat
by France and to add new sites in order to ensure sufficient representation by Spain. It should be noted
that the second seminar for the Mediterranean biogeographical region is planned for July 2002.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2002/C 115 E/169)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2801/01

by Gian Gobbo (NI) to the Commission

(9 October 2001)

Subject: Protection of typical foods and strategy to safeguard European agriculture

Given that:

A the spread of mad cow disease (BSE) has profoundly disturbed public opinion and raised important

questions about the exclusive use of industrial processes in agricultural production;

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A the use of genetically modified organisms (GMO)

in agri-food production, besides representing
possible risk for consumer health, would favour a few big non-European multinationals at the expense
of the European small and medium-sized companies operating in the sector,

the Commission is asked:

A What strategies does it intend to adopt in order to safeguard European agriculture?

A Does it not accept that comprehensive action should be taken to protect and promote the traditional
agri-food production of the various regions of Europe, a guarantee of authenticity as well as an
expression of the cultural wealth of those regions?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(26 November 2001)

Safeguarding and promoting the European model for agriculture were among the main aims of the reform
of the common agricultural policy adopted in 1999 under Agenda 2000. Features of this European model,
which are accordingly reflected in the objectives of the reform, are: a competitive agricultural sector; a fair
standard of living for the farming community; production methods that are safe, capable of supplying
quality products and environmentally friendly; a diversified farming sector that preserves the wealth of
traditions and the variety of landscapes in the countryside and constitutes a source of jobs in rural areas. In
a word, the model seeks to foster agriculture that is sustainable and multifunctional from the social,
economic and environmental viewpoints. Promoting such a model is a strategic objective, not only under
Agenda 2000 and with a view to enlargement but also in negotiations within the World Trade
Organisation.

The quality and diversity of the Union’s agricultural and food output are among the mainstays of the
model. Precisely because of this diversity, food quality cannot be properly and comprehensively defined at
Community level. The Commission does, however, have a role to play in improving information for the
consumer and it has made various proposals in this area.

In particular, as the Commission stated in its answer to Ms Sbarbati’s Written Question P-2555/01, to
which the Honourable Member should refer, the Community plans to implement a comprehensive and
coherent policy providing information on and promoting agricultural products, including foodstuffs, on
the internal and third-country markets.

(2002/C 115 E/170)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2805/01

by Franz Turchi (UEN) to the Commission

(2 October 2001)

Subject: Projects funded under the Culture 2000 Programme

The objectives of the Culture 2000 Programme include the funding of ‘street theatre’ companies and
shows.

The people arrested by the Italian police during the G8 Summit in Genoa included some belonging to
groups which, in the disguise of itinerant actors, were actively involved in the violent clashes.

Certain Italian newspapers have specifically reported that Community funding has gone to Black Bloc
groups in the form of subsidies for street artists.

Is the Commission aware of funds being allocated to would-be artistic companies which have then turned
out to be violent groups? What kind of check is kept not only on the financial regularity but also on the
final
‘product’ of funded projects? More specifically, have funds been allocated to the ‘No Border No
Nation’ and ‘Orange’ companies?