WRITTEN QUESTION E-0057/02 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Damage to agriculture due to snowfall and frost in regions of Greece.
Date: 2002-01-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EAGGF, Greece, aid to agriculture, bad weather, crop losses

C 160 E/174

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.7.2002

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(18 March 2002)

There are no specific guidelines regarding the treatment of these kinds of complaints.

At all events, professional conduct of lawyers is a matter falling outside the present scope of Community
law. Council Directive 77/249/EEC of 22 March 1977 to facilitate the effective exercise by lawyers of
freedom to provide services (1) and Directive 98/5/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 16 February
1998 to facilitate practice of the profession of lawyer on a permanent basis in a Member State other than
that in which the qualification was obtained (2), refer to national legislation in this field.

Community law provides no basis on which the Commission could take a position on third party
complaints.

(1) OJ L 78, 26.3.1977.
(2) OJ L 77, 14.3.1998.

(2002/C 160 E/215)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0057/02

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 January 2002)

Subject: Damage to agriculture due to snowfall and frost in regions of Greece

Last week Greece experienced an unprecedented spell of harsh weather bringing heavy snowfall and frost
which destroyed a large proportion of agricultural production (citrus fruits, olives and fruit and vegetables)
in the regions of Crete, Attica, Viotía and Evia.

Will the Commission say whether it intends to take measures through the EAGGF to support the farmers
affected by this bad weather?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 February 2002)

The Commission has not yet received official
information from Greece concerning the impact on
agriculture of the adverse weather conditions that affected in particular Crete, Attica, Boeotie and Euboie
the first week of January 2002.

Depending on the importance of these damages, Community solidarity and funding may be proved to be
indispensable to overcome as soon as possible the problems rural areas confronting with and to rebuild
production potential. This applies as well for the production of citrus, olive oil, fruits and vegetables that
may have been more vulnerable to these weather conditions.

It is not up to the Commission to take measures for the compensation of the affected rural areas and
population but up to Greece to submitted relevant requests within the context of the current programmes
and mechanisms of the 3rd Community Support Framework (2000-2008) for Greece.

European Agriculture Guidance and Garantee Fund (EAGGF) contribution should be designated within the
total financial allocation attributed for structural funds intervention to Greece within the programming
period 2000-2006 by redefining of the programme’s priorities approved by the Commission. The current
‘National Operational Programme ? Rural Development (2000-2006)’ for Greece with a total financial
allocation of € 1 233,42 million also covers the issue of natural disasters and emergencies with a credit of
€ 14 million. Should this amount not be sufficient, the Greek authorities are entitled to submit a request
for a redefinition of the programming priorities and of the corresponding financial allocations.

4.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 160 E/175

In addition, the Greek authorities may consider the possibility to use the programming reserve of the 3rd
Community Support Framework (2000-2003) for Greece.

It should be emphasised that EAGGF intervention will be limited to the reconstitution of production
potential and not to the income losses which are not eligible. If aid will be necessary to compensate
income losses, national aid scheme should be notified to the Commission for approval.

(2002/C 160 E/216)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0070/02

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Damage caused by natural disasters in Greece

(17 January 2002)

In Greece, large volumes of heavy snowfall over an extended period and exceptionally low temperatures
have led to extremely severe and widespread damage to arable and livestock production, plant and animal
resources and agricultural facilities (greenhouses, stable buildings etc.) in many parts of the country.

Given that producers’ revenue and means of production have suffered a severe blow, will the Commission
fund measures to compensate for the loss of revenue and for the repair of the damaged production
infrastructure?

During the approval procedure for the preliminary draft budget for 2003, will the Commission consider an
increase in the appropriations to be made available for agricultural development,
in order to fund
compensation requests, as it did during the approval of the budget for 2001 to fund compensation for
damage caused by the hurricane which hit many Member States at the end of 1999?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(15 February 2002)

information from the Greek authorities concerning the
The Commission has not yet received official
impact of the recent adverse weather conditions on agriculture and rural economy. The Greek authorities
are currently estimating the extent of damages in the affected areas and sectors. The Commission services
involved will consider the issue as soon quantitative and qualitative information and official request has
been submitted by Greece.

Depending on the magnitude of these damages, Community solidarity may be proved to be indispensable
to overcome the problems rural areas are confronted with and to rebuild production potential.

European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) contribution should be designated within
the total financial allocation attributed for structural funds intervention to Greece within the programming
period 2000-2006 by redefining the programme’s priorities approved by the Commission. The current
‘National Operational Programme ? Rural Development (2000-2006)’ for Greece with a total financial
allocation of € 1 233,42 million also covers the issue of natural disasters and emergencies with a credit of
€ 14 million. Should this amount not be sufficient, the Greek authorities are entitled to submit a request
for a redefinition of the programming priorities and of the corresponding financial allocations.

In addition, the Greek authorities may consider the possibility to use the programming reserve of the 3rd
Community Support Framework Programme (2000-2003) for Greece.

It should be emphasised that EAGGF intervention will be limited to the reconstitution of production
potential and not to the income losses which are not eligible. If aid will be necessary to compensate
income losses, national aid scheme should be notified to the Commission for approval.