WRITTEN QUESTION P-3340/01 by Albert Maat (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Closure of the Wärtsilä plant.
Date: 2001-11-27
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Italy, Netherlands, State aid, aid system, cessation of trading, collective dismissal, engine, machine-tool industry, subsidiary, transfer of businesses

C 115 E/254

Official Journal of the European Communities

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16.5.2002

present situation in the Union. In fact, a prescription is already required for a significant number of
categories of veterinary drugs, and the above mentioned proposal
is aimed at replacing the current
requirement for a prescription for ‘those products in respect of which special precautions must be taken by
the veterinarian in order to avoid any unnecessary risk to … the consumer of foodstuffs obtained from
treated animals’.

No changes have been proposed to the existing Community rules on retail distribution of veterinary
medicines. All retail distributors need to be authorised. However, the distribution system depends on the
legislation of the Member States. Depending on the national rules in place, veterinary medicinal products
may also be sold by pharmacists or other authorised persons ’ upon the presentation of a relevant
prescription.

The Commission therefore does not share the view that its proposal would necessarily spell the end for
any category of retailers or extra costs for farmers. Similarly, appropriate control measures and adequate
sanctions should be in place to prevent a black market in veterinary medicinal products.

(1) OJ C 93 E, 18.4.2002, p. 209.

(2002/C 115 E/274)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3330/01

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(30 November 2001)

Subject: Allocation of Community funds

The ROHDE multinational (Portuguese-German) shoe manufacturing company based in Santa Maria da
Feira (Portugal) has announced its intention to scale down its operations by halting production on certain
days. This will affect 832 employees, who are challenging the company’s decision.

The company alleges that there has been a decline in orders, yet it still expects a high output from its
employees and it is still offering productivity bonuses.

Has the company received any Community funding? If so, how much was allocated, and when?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(24 January 2002)

The Commission would inform the Honourable Member that ‘ROHDE- Sociedade Industrial de Calçado
Luso-Alemã’ has not received any Community funding from the European Social Fund.

The company ROHDE has, however, received co-financing from the European Regional Development Fund
for four separate projects, one under the Community Initiative Retex and the other three under the sub-
programme ‘Industry’ within the programme of modernisation of the Portuguese economic fabric for the
Community Support Framework covering the programming period 1994-1999. The total public
expenditure on these four projects was € 666 947, and the Community contribution € 502 390.

(2002/C 115 E/275)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3340/01

by Albert Maat (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(27 November 2001)

Subject: Closure of the Wärtsilä plant

The Finnish company, Wärtsilä, has decided to close its plant in Zwolle in the Netherlands. That decision
will entail the immediate dismissal of 700 employees and indirectly threaten the jobs of a further 1 000

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people. Wärtsilä justifies its decision on the grounds that it wants to concentrate production in, among
other places, Trieste, Italy, where, it is claimed, production conditions are better, despite the fact that the
company recently invested several million in its Zwolle plant.

Is the Commission aware of any direct or indirect State aid being given by the regional or national
authorities in Italy to the Wärtsilä plant in Trieste, and is it prepared to conduct an in-depth investigation
into the matter?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(21 December 2001)

The Commission has no information on state aid planned or given by the Italian authorities to Wärtsilä.

But the company’s Italian subsidiary has establishments in an area eligible for regional aid under the
derogation provided for by Article 87(3)(c) (San Dorligo della Valle ’ Trieste).

By Decision of 20 June 2001 on the Italian regional aid map, the Commission authorised aids of up to 8 %
of investment in net grant equivalent (NGE) (1).

It is accordingly legitimate for Italy to give regional aid of an intensity of no more than 8 % expressed in
terms of net grant equivalent on the basis of one of its schemes, and there is no need for prior
authorisation. The condition for such aid is that the amount or the investment financed must not exceed
€ 50 million, which means that the Italian authorities must give the Commission prior notification under
the Multisectoral framework on regional aid for large investment projects (2).

The Commission will check with the Italian authorities whether the firm has received illegal aid in excess
of the maximum allowed.

(1) Net grant equivalent is defined in the Guidelines on national regional aid (OJ C 74, 10.3.1998).
(2) OJ C 107, 7.4.1998.

(2002/C 115 E/276)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3344/01

by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission

(3 December 2001)

Subject: Mountain guides

Professional mountain guides have existed since people first started climbing in Europe, and the profession
itself has grown and developed as mountain climbing has become more popular over the years. It is
already covered by Community legislation on professions and the freedom of movement of workers. With
a view to ensuring in particular that clients can have confidence in their guides, the International
Federation of Mountain Guide Associations long ago established a set of uniform training standards which
ensure that guides have the necessary technical skills for each type of ascent and the thorough practical
knowledge of the terrain required, in particular, to ensure safety at all times.

When the current directives are revised, how does the Commission intend to ensure that the specificities of
mountain guiding are accorded proper recognition?