WRITTEN QUESTION E-2902/01 by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Complaint over use of EU funds for concentration of rural holdings.
Date: 2001-10-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, EU programme, Galicia, Spain, management audit, reparcelling

C 115 E/190

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

16.5.2002

Does the Commission not consider that it should reassess the issue of Italian drift-net fishing in the

1.
light of the technical document of the STECF?

Does it intend to arrange for a census of Community motorised fishing boats still practising this

2.
form of fishing?

Does it consider measures should be agreed on among the Member States aimed at rationalising drift-

3.
net fishing?

Does it intend to adopt urgent measures to standardise the legislation of all the countries in the

4.
Mediterranean Basin?

(1) OJ L 171, 17.6.1998, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(3 December 2001)

The report of the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) to which the
Honourable Member refers is a document that already informed the process of elaborating Council
Regulation (EC) No 1239/98 of 8 June 1998 amending Regulation (EC) No 894/97 laying down certain
technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources (1) banning the use of drift-nets on highly
migratory species.

The Commission has not received any sound scientific report either on possible evolution of gear
technology or on monitoring of incidental catches of protected species that could indicate a substantial
mitigation of the conservation problems for which the Regulation was adopted.

Member States inform regularly the Commission, under the provisions of Regulation No 1239/98, on the
number of vessels operating with driftnets targeting a certain number of highly migratory pelagic species;
these figures are already made available to the Parliament through a yearly report prepared by the
Commission on the enforcement of Community legislation on driftnets.

The prime responsibility for enforcement of Council Regulation No 1239/98 lies with the Member States.
The Commission, for its part, will take the necessary steps to verify that all Member States adequately
enforce this legislation. In the absence of adequate enforcement, the Commission will avail itself of all the
procedures open to it.

On the basis of the information available to the Commission, it cannot confirm or disprove the statement
by the Honourable Member regarding the number of non Community vessels operating with driftnets in
the Mediterranean. The Commission will do its utmost to strengthen the General Fisheries Commission for
the Mediterranean and to support its efforts to achieve sustainable fisheries which minimise adverse
impacts on the eco-system in the Mediterranean.

(1) OJ L 171, 17.6.1998.

(2002/C 115 E/200)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2902/01

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(22 October 2001)

Subject: Complaint over use of EU funds for concentration of rural holdings

Donato Rodríguez Loredo, a citizen from Galicia (Spain), has, beginning in 1996, submitted a series of
requests for
for Agriculture
concerning the concentration of rural holdings in Lourenzá-Norte (Vilanova de Lorenzá, in the province
of Lugo). In its replies to these initiatives, the DG initially claimed that the matter fell under Spanish rather

information and complaints to the Commission’s Directorate-General

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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the
than Community law. Despite this, Mr Rodríguez Loredo sent a further letter complaining at
irregularities perpetrated by the Galician regional government with regard to road building in the
countryside, having received information to the effect that problems relating to defective construction had
led the Commission to review the use of a large sum paid in aid for construction work in the area
concerned. Can the DG for Agriculture provide information on these anomalous circumstances? Were the
Community funds intended for this scheme withdrawn following checks made by the DG?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 2001)

In 1995 the Commission conducted an inspection of the programmes for improving the conditions of
agricultural production and for environmental protection and the conservation of natural resources in the
Spanish Region of Galicia.

In the absence of certain persons in charge of the project referred to by the Honourable Member, the
Commission decided not to proceed with the inspection. The task was therefore passed on to the national
inspectors. The Commission sent a letter to the Spanish authorities requesting them to look into the matter
and accordingly to inspect the project.

In June 1997 the Galicia financial control department conducted an inspection of the project and drew up
a report. The Spanish authorities have been asked to provide a copy of that report.

The Commission suggests that the Honourable Member contact the State financial control department, the
national body responsible for coordinating inspections in Spain, for further information on this matter.

(2002/C 115 E/201)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2903/01

by Gunilla Carlsson (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 October 2001)

Subject: Belgian State aid to Sabena

The terrorist attacks in the USA have plunged European airlines into financial difficulties. The Council has
discussed measures to deal with the problems of insurance, but has ruled out direct State financial aid to
crisis-hit undertakings. The Commission has for a long time been seeking to eliminate subsidies of this
nature, which distort competition.

is providing cash and
It is therefore remarkable that Belgium, which currently holds the Presidency,
guarantees for Sabena,
in which airline the Belgian State has a majority holding. Sabena’s financial
problems are certainly not new, and cannot be blamed on the crisis now affecting the industry as a whole.
The Belgian Government’s actions will exclusively benefit narrow national
interests and eliminate
competition, which will further reduce other European airlines’ ability to survive.

What action does the Commission intend to take to prevent the Belgian State from giving Sabena financial
aid?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(3 December 2001)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written P-2878/01 by Sir Atkins (1)

(1) See page 184.