WRITTEN QUESTION E-3376/01 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Illegal deductions of aid for farmers.
Date: 2001-12-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, aid system, aid to agriculture, application of EU law, infringement procedure (EU), tax

6.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 134 E/225

In its Communication of 30 November 2000 on the follow-up to the Green Paper (1), the Commission
stressed the need for improving cooperation between the private sector and public authorities and
recommended that public authorities and the private sector make better use of the databases and public
and private information systems for combating counterfeiting and piracy, while respecting the rules of
confidentiality and data protection. The Commission also expressed its wish that the compatibility between
existing systems and any gateways that would need to be created between them should be investigated.
Finally, the Commission encouraged national and private initiatives aimed at concluding protocols of
agreement for cooperation and exchange of information.

The Dutch Buma/Stemra organisation is a collecting society which took an active part in the Green Paper
consultations of 1998. Under Dutch law, it also has certain executive powers enabling it to play an active
role in combating piracy. The Commission is in contact with the Dutch authorities in order to find out
more about the powers it holds. However, the Commission draws the Honourable Member’s attention to
the fact that it is not planning to include any specific provisions on the cooperation between the private
sector and public authorities in its future proposal for a directive on the enforcement of intellectual
property rights.

It is the Commission’s view that the public authorities and the private sector should themselves find the
appropriate means of setting up and consolidating their cooperation at national level within the law of
each Member State.

(1) COM(2000) 789 final.

(2002/C 134 E/238)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3376/01

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 December 2001)

Subject: Illegal deductions of aid for farmers

In its report on the 2000 financial year the Court of Auditors finds once again that in Greece the
Community aid paid to producers at both central government and local levels is subject to deductions
which are not permitted by any Community legislation. Greece again deducted a charge of 3 % for ELGA
(the Greek Agricultural Insurance Organisation) from all aid granted for citrus fruit, cotton, olive oil and
tobacco. This contribution represents approximately EUR 64 million. For olive oil, there is also a second
deduction, equivalent to 1 % of the aid paid, for the national confederation of producers.

There are also local levies charged by agricultural cooperatives or producers’ associations for arable crops
(2 %), olive oil (1 % plus a standard charge), fruit and vegetables (1 %) and tobacco (2,63 %).

In the report on the 1999 financial year by the Court of Auditors a similar situation was described. In its
reply to my question E-3807/00 (1), the Commission recognised that Community aid was being reduced
and informed me that it intended to look into the issue and, probably, to take action.

Since the Court of Auditors has returned to the same issue, could the Commission state its position on this
problem, and say what measures it intends to take to ensure that Community aid is paid in full to those
entitled to it without the slightest financial deduction being made?

(1) OJ C 174 E, 19.6.2001, p. 148.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(15 January 2002)

The Commission is well aware of the various problems that exist and have existed in Greece as far as the
respect of
is concerned. The Commission has
endeavoured at different instances and by applying more than one tool, to ensure the scrupulous respect
by the Greek government of the full payment obligation.

the full payment clause by the Greek government

C 134 E/226

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2002

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, this matter gave raise already to financial
corrections within the procedure of clearance of accounts of the European Agriculture Guidance and
Guarantee Fund (EAGGF).

(2002/C 134 E/239)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3380/01

by John McCartin (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 December 2001)

Subject: Fishing licences/registration and third-country agreements

Can the Commission state whether new fishing vessels, constituting additional tonnage to the Community
fleet and which have no quota allocation in Community waters may obtain registration as fishing vessels
and under what conditions such registration takes place? Can the Commission also state if registration for
such vessels as part of the Community fleet actually constitutes a licence to make private agreements with
third countries or to apply for a share of the Community quotas agreed with such countries? Can the
Commission state how many such vessels are registered?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(8 January 2002)

Pursuant to Article 1 of the Commission Regulation (EC) No 2090/98, of 30 September 1998 concerning
the fishing vessel register of the Community (1) all Community fishing vessels flying the flag of or
registered in a Member State shall be registered in the fishing vessel register of the Community.

Such registration does not automatically constitute a licence to make private agreements or to apply for a
quota share. However,
individuals and companies have a right to make private agreements with third
countries as well as to apply for an allocation of quota under a fishing agreement concluded between the
Community and the third country concerned. The latter application transmitted to the flag Member State
by the fisherman is therefore forwarded by the Commission to the third country, inside the share of fishing
possibilities allocated to that Member State under the conditions laid down by the fishing agreement. It is
then the third country concerned which issues the licence to the Community fishing vessels wishing to fish
in the waters of that country.

As regards allocation of quotas to individual vessels and issuing fishing licences pursuant to Article 3 of
Council Regulation (EC) No 3690/93 of 20 December 1993 establishing a Community system laying
down rules for the minimum information to be contained in fishing licences (2), it must be stressed that it
is the flag Member State (and not the Commission) which is responsible.

(1) OJ L 266, 1.10.1998.
(2) OJ L 341, 31.12.1993.

(2002/C 134 E/240)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3387/01

by Luciana Sbarbati (ELDR) to the Commission

(7 December 2001)

Subject: Temporary employment agencies

Temporary work is an arrangement under which temporary employment agencies provide companies with
workers to cover their short-term labour requirements. The worker is employed and paid by the agency,
while the company pays the agency the worker’s salary, plus a commission for the service which the
agency performs.