WRITTEN QUESTION P-3510/01 by Werner Langen (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Possible distortions of competition in the forestry sector in the Federal Republic of Germany.
Date: 2001-12-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Germany, State aid, control of State aid, restriction on competition, silviculture

C 147 E/194

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2002

It recently adopted a proposal for a Council framework decision on the basis of Article 34(2)(b) of the
Treaty on European Union (1) with a view to ensuring that racism and xenophobia are punishable in all
Member States with effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties which could give rise to the surrender
of persons in custody and could improve and encourage judicial cooperation by removing potential
obstacles. All Member States should ensure that behaviour such as public incitement to violence or hatred
as well as public insults or threats to individuals or groups for a racist or xenophobic purpose are
punishable as criminal offences.

The religious or ethnic origin of the perpetrators and instigators of racist or xenophobic acts and of
accessories thereto should not have any actual effect on the way the facts themselves are judged. The
opposite would be tantamount to discrimination on grounds of race or ethnic group.

(1) COM(2001) 664 final.

(2002/C 147 E/202)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3510/01

by Werner Langen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 December 2001)

Subject: Possible distortions of competition in the forestry sector in the Federal Republic of Germany

In the letter dated 3 February 2000 from the European Commission to the Foreign Minister of the Federal
Republic of Germany, signed by Commissioner Franz Fischler (SG(2000) D/101191) and dealing with
‘State aid No NN 136/99 7 Germany (Brandenburg); state aid in the form of services provided to forest
owners below cost price’, the Commission noted that in the case in point the aid granted was consistent
with the provisions of the EC Treaty, but went on to state that it was reviewing its policy on state aid in
the forestry sector and reserved the right, in the future, to propose appropriate measures, pursuant to
Article 88(1) of the EC Treaty.

Could the Commission state what the outcome of this policy review has been and what action it has taken,
or what action it plans to take, in this area?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 January 2002)

The Commission has not yet drawn conclusions as to a review of its policy concerning state aids in the
forestry sector. The Commission is still working on this issue. At this stage, it is not possible to give
indications for the timing or the outcome of such a review.

(2002/C 147 E/203)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3514/01

by Christel Fiebiger (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(8 January 2002)

Subject: Problems relating to the EU-wide harmonisation of approval of plant protection products for

indicated uses only (particularly in horticulture)

Approval for indicated uses only in the field of plant protection has been in force in Germany since
1 July 2001. This means that plant protection products can be used only for crops for which there is a
clearly defined indication. The new rules are causing considerable problems for horticulture in particular,