WRITTEN QUESTION E-2928/01 by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Infringement of FFH directive and nature conservation directive by works on the Danube at Thundorf and between Staubingen and Vilshofen (Bavaria).
Date: 2001-10-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Germany, engineering structure, environmental protection, protected area, protection of animal life, watercourse, wildlife

16.5.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 115 E/195

4. Authorises the ATE to grant him the more favourable terms granted to those beneficiaries to
whom the subsidy is paid by mechanical means, automatically (e.g. by way of interest) or at his
request (e.g. by way of credit card) according to the service provided, whenever he should need.

Is the system of payment of Community aid under the above power of attorney in breach of
1.
Community provisions, and what measures will the Commission take to bring the ATE’s operating
procedures into line with Community rules?

Is it consistent with Regulation 1259/1999/EC (1)

2.
for the organisations which are to pay out
Community aid to withhold amounts on the grounds of performing administrative services at the time of
payment, and what action will the Commission take to ensure that Community aid is paid in full to the
beneficiaries without any amount being withheld in Greece?

3. What is the total financial loss (reductions) of Community funds from the EAGGF to Greece in the
last three years (1999-2000) as a result of the failure to pay Community aid to beneficiaries within the
prescribed time pursuant to Regulation 296/96/EC (2)?

(1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999, p. 113.
(2) OJ L 39, 17.2.1996, p. 5.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(4 December 2001)

As regards the questions posed by the Honourable Members the Commission is aware of the Greek
arrangements to which they refer.

Several complaints have been lodged with the Commission in respect of the deductions from Community
payments pursuant to Council Regulation (EC) No 1259/1999 of 17 May 1999 establishing common rules
for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy, operated by producer groups and
assocations of producer groups in Greece.

The Commission is looking into this matter within the scope of the infringement procedure laid down in
Article 226 (ex Article 169) of the EC Treaty.

In addition, the question of the full payment of Community aid in Greece has been subject to financial
corrections in the framework of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF)
clearance of accounts procedure. Les corrections effectuées dans le cadre des décisions d’apurement des
comptes adoptées en 1999, 2000 et 2001 en ce qui concerne le non-respect en Grèce des délais de
paiement des aides communautaires sont de: € 7 850 119,24.

Furthermore, the Court of Justice is to take a position in respect of the ELGA premiums issued in case
C-355/00 currently pending before it.

(2002/C 115 E/206)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2928/01

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(24 October 2001)

Subject: Infringement of FFH directive and nature conservation directive by works on the Danube at

Thundorf and between Staubingen and Vilshofen (Bavaria)

The construction of one or more barrages on the Danube between Straubing and Vilshofen would severely
damage the wetland at the mouth of the Isar, the only one of its kind in Europe. The area concerned is a
protected area within the meaning of the European nature conservation directives. Similarly, dyke-building
in the Thurndorf area (nature conservation area of Staatshaufen at kilometre 2 278,2 on the Danube) poses
a threat to the groundwater in the hinterland.

C 115 E/196

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

16.5.2002

Is the Commission aware that

the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation and the Federal
1.
Environment Agency have not so far been involved in the environmental assessment of the various
options, contrary to the claims of
the
Commission take to ensure that a full report on the ecosystems between Straubing and Vilshofen is
drawn up immediately?

the Bavarian Environment Ministry? What measures will

2.
No environmental impact assessment has been carried out pursuant to Article 6 of the FFH Directive
in respect of the dyke-building in progress. What measures will the Commission take to rectify that
situation immediately?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(19 December 2001)

1.
In addition to other areas already notified before, the Danube meadows between Straubing and
Vilshofen were notified on 28 August 2001 by the German Federal Government as areas to be protected
in accordance with the Habitat and the Birds Directives (1).

2Both
for the running, and the planned development measures the rules under Article 6, paragraphs 3
and 4 of the Habitat Directive fully apply. The Commission will request all the necessary information from
the Federal Government in order to be able to evaluate the respect of these rules.

(1) Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora,
OJ L 206, 22.7.1992 and Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds, OJ L
103, 25.4.1979.

(2002/C 115 E/207)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2933/01

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Commission inspectors’ investigation into BSE in Greece

(24 October 2001)

In September 2001, Commission veterinary inspectors carried out investigations in Greece into the
implementation of measures relating to BSE in Greek slaughterhouses. Commission veterinary inspectors
also carried out
investigations in February 2001, when they identified several shortcomings and
infringements.

In the light of the inspectors’ report, will the Commission say:

1. whether sufficient checks are carried out on cattle to detect the disease, and

2. whether the measures to protect cattle from BSE are observed?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(21 November 2001)

The Commission inspectors of the Food and Veterinary Office carried out a mission in Greece from 17 to
21 September 2001 in order to evaluate the implementation of certain reinforced protection measures
against bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

This mission was also undertaken as a follow-up to a previous mission carried out in February 2001
(reference number DG(SANCO)/3234/2001). The report of the mission of February 2001 has been
transmitted to the Parliament and can also be consulted on the Health and Consumer Protection General
Directorate website at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/inspections/vi/reports/greece/index_en.html.