WRITTEN QUESTION E-3046/01 by Albert Maat (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Imports of salted chicken fillet.
Date: 2001-11-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: CCT duties, application of EU law, import, poultrymeat, salted product, tariff nomenclature

C 147 E/78

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2002

As part of the experiment with labour-intensive services (1), Member States may also apply a reduced rate
until 31 December 2002 to the renovation and reparation of private dwellings, excluding materials which
form a significant part of the value of the service supplied.

A distinction is made in the relevant Community legislation between dwellings and commercial or
industrial buildings intended in principle for operators that have the right to deduction, and establishments
such as hospitals or schools generally subsidised by the public authorities.

Revision and rationalisation of the rules and derogations applicable in determining reduced VAT rates were
announced by the Commission, in the medium term, in its new VAT strategy (2). The treatment of the
construction sector will also be examined in this context. However, as the adoption of new tax provisions
is still subject to unanimity by the Council, the Commission cannot guarantee the outcome of Council
discussions on the matter.

(1) Council Directive 1999/85/EC of 22 October 1999 amending Directive 77/388/EEC as regards the possibility of

applying on an experiment basis a reduced VAT rate on labour-intensive services: OJ L 277, 28.10.1999.

(2) COM(2000) 348 final.

(2002/C 147 E/081)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3046/01

by Albert Maat (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(5 November 2001)

Subject: Imports of salted chicken fillet

three years imports of salted chicken fillet

into the EU have increased more than
Over the past
fourteenfold: during the first half of 2001 imports totalled 114 000 tonnes as against only 12 000 tonnes
for the whole of 1998. At the same time, imports of unsalted chicken fillet declined.

Lightly salting chicken fillet makes it subject to a lower import tariff than ordinary poultrymeat. The salt
can easily be shaken off after importation. This improper use of customs tariffs is seriously distorting the
European market in poultrymeat.

The chicken fillet concerned is not really salted but only sprinkled with salt.

How does the Commission intend to keep a check on this situation?

What measures does the Commission intend to take in the event of a breach of the relevant WTO
agreements?

Under current WTO agreements, can the EU unilaterally change the import duty on salted chicken fillet, by
raising the stipulated salt content of 1,2 %?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(15 January 2002)

The Commission follows with great attention the evolution of imports on the markets for all types of
meat. Imports of salted poultrymeat have indeed shown rapid rates of growth over the last few years,
rising from 3 500 tonnes (t) in 1996 to 109 000 t in 2000 and 150 000 t during the first eight months of
2001, while imports of un-treated boneless chicken meat have decreased by 25 000 t from 1997 to 2000.
The strong demand for poultrymeat during the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) crisis after
October 2000 gave an additional push to these imports.

20.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 147 E/79

The Honourable Member assumes that the meat in question is lightly salted and the salt may be shaken
off. This fact would not be in conformity with the definition in the Combined Nomenclature which reads:
‘For the purposes of heading No 0210, the terms ’meat and edible meat offal, salted, in brine’ mean meat
and edible meat offal deeply and homogeneously impregnated with salt in all parts, having a total salt
content of not less than 1,2 % by weight’.

The Commission is however not aware that imported salted poultrymeat does not comply with this
definition.

The Commission has drawn the attention of the Member States to monitor closely the compliance of these
poultrymeat imports with the relevant Community provisions in customs and veterinary legislation.
Furthermore, the options to deal with any problems which may arise regarding the products in question
are being examined at present by the various departments of the Commission. The outcome of this
exercise cannot be prejudged.

(2002/C 147 E/082)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3047/01

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(5 November 2001)

Subject: Trans-European energy networks

On 6 August 2001 the Commission authorised the granting of financial aid for the trans-European gas and
electricity markers, to a total of approximately EUR 19 m. A maximum sum will be payable in aid,
corresponding to a percentage of the eligible cost of the action. The undertakings chosen were from Spain,
Greece, France, Italy, Sweden and the UK. The Commission received 27 applications in all.

Can the Commission supply the complete list of these 27 candidates? Should there have been any
Portuguese candidate on the list, can the Commission explain the grounds on which it was not included
among the successful applicants? What selection criteria were employed by the Commission?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(18 December 2001)

In a letter to the Member States dated 12 February 2001, the Commission called for applications for
support for projects of common interest in the field of trans-European networks (TENs) E Energy.
Following this call, the Commission received the 27 requests set out in a table which will be sent directly
to the Honourable Member and Parliament’s Secretariat. One of these requests came from Portugal and
concerned direct investment subsidies for project No E142/01 E New electricity connection between
Portugal and Spain.

Council Regulation (EC) No 2236/95 laying down general rules for the granting of Community financial
aid in the field of trans-European networks (1) and the Council and Commission statement in the minutes
of the meeting at which the Regulation was adopted provide for the co-financing of studies relating to
projects of common interest as the usual form of financial support for energy TENs; recourse to other
forms of support is regarded as exceptional.

As regards the proposal selection criteria, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 2236/95, Community
support is intended for projects that are potentially economically viable but the financial profitability of
which at the time of application is regarded as insufficient and can be improved.

The other selection criteria laid down in Regulation (EC) No 2236/95 which the Commission takes into
account when selecting proposals are as follows:

E maturity of the project,

E stimulative effect of Community intervention on public and private finance,