WRITTEN QUESTION E-0128/02 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Withholding of EAGGF subsidies.
Date: 2002-02-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EAGGF, EU aid, Greece, agricultural bank, application of EU law, claim, power of attorney, redemption

C 172 E/148

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2002

The Commission is of the opinion that the applicant countries, together with other third countries,
2.
should only apply scientifically justified BSE import regimes in line with the World Trade Organisation/
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards (WTO/SPS) Agreement. In any case the applicant countries will have
to fully comply with the relevant Community legislation by latest on accession.

third
The Commission has frequently addressed the overly restrictive BSE import regimes of
3.
countries, including the applicant countries, during bilateral and multilateral contacts ) such as in the SPS
Committee ) with the relevant countries, insisting that import restrictions must be science-based and
comply with international standards. The Commission will continue to address this issue in future contacts
with these countries. In the context of the enlargement negotiations the applicant countries have to
commit themselves to align their import requirements with the Community legislation by accession at the
latest.

(2002/C 172 E/154)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0128/02

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(1 February 2002)

Subject: Withholding of EAGGF subsidies

Producers in Greece have no option but to collect their EAGGF subsidies from the Agricultural Bank of
Greece (ATE). The bank asks producers for authorisation to withhold part of their subsidies to cover any
amounts that may be due to the bank or the farming cooperatives.

Although it appears that the aid is withheld with the consent of the beneficiaries, producers and their trade
unions have both made numerous complaints that consent is obtained essentially through coercion owing
to the beneficiaries’ financial dependence on the ATE and the farming cooperatives.

Both the Commission and the Court of Auditors have in fact decided on numerous occasions that no
amount of EAGGF aid may be withheld.

The Commission:

1. Does it consider that such indirect withholding of aid from producers by the ATE is consistent with its

decisions concerning payment in full of that aid? What action will it taken on this matter?

2. Are producers within their rights to refuse to sign the authorisation to withhold aid against current

and/or future debts?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(14 March 2002)

1.
In respect of deductions of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF)
subsidies operated by the Agricultural Bank of Greece (ATE) to cover amounts due to the bank it should be
borne in mind that in case C-132/95 (1) the Court of Justice maintained the view that although it is true
that under Article 15(3) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1765/92 of 30 June 1992 establishing a support
system for producers of certain arable crops (2), the compensatory payments referred to therein are to be
paid over to the beneficiaries in their entirety, set-off between compensatory payment made under the
above-mentioned Regulation and outstanding debts payable to a Member State does not have the effect of
reducing the amount of the aid.

As regards deductions of EAGGF subsidies operated by the ATE to cover amounts due to the farming
cooperatives, the Commission is of the view that if Greek producers are not coerced by the Greek public
authorities into consenting that part of the EAGGF subsidies are withheld by the ATE for the purpose
mentioned, there is no conflict with Community law. In this connection it should be noted that the
Commission was informed by the Greek authorities that the deductions are made by the producer
organisations to their members following a decision of their general assemblies i.e. the deductions result
from a private relationship.

18.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 172 E/149

Moreover, in an EAGGF audit report of 12 November 2001 (Enquiry number: FA/20a/GR) following a
mission to Greece from 5 to 8 November 2001 it is stated that a Joint Ministerial Circular of 22 October
2001 requires that beneficiaries are to receive full payment in their bank account. For 2001 campaigns/
harvests beneficiaries were asked to provide their bank account details. The mission team was informed
that from 1 January 2002 claims were not to be accepted unless they included a bank account number.
Assurances were given that beneficiaries could freely choose their bank. Further EAGGF missions to follow
up this and other matters are planned.

2.

The answer to the second question posed by the Honourable Member must be in the affirmative.

(1) Bent Jensen and Korn- og Foderstofkompagniet A/S v. landbrugsministeriet ) EF ) Direktoraded. Case C-132/95

ECR 1998 page I-2975.

(2) OJ L 181, 1.7.1992.

(2002/C 172 E/155)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0129/02

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(1 February 2002)

Subject: Ethnological Museum of Thrace

In Alexandropoulis, a number of private individuals involved in researching, recording and collecting
material related to the traditional way of life in Thrace are endeavouring to set up an Ethnological Museum
to promote the study and status of traditional local culture.

Although most organisational problems have been overcome, such as the restoration of a traditional
building to house the museum, the collection of more than 2000 objects dating back to 1681 and the
development of integrated material using modern techniques of recording and presentation (video etc),
there are financial difficulties involved in completing the entire project and in digitalising a new study
tracing 18 000 refugees in the region from the early 20th century who were dispersed over more than
1 000 different locations in Thrace.

Is this kind of research eligible for funding and, if so, under which programmes? In what way could the
Commission assist in completing this project so that the museum can operate properly for the benefit of
local population and visitors to Thrace?

Answer given by Ms Reding on behalf of the Commission

(22 March 2002)

The Commission supports initiatives in the area of culture,
including the protection, preservation and
development of the cultural heritage within the framework, and according to the selection criteria, of the
‘Culture 2000’ programme, which is the Union’s only financing and planning instrument in the area of
cultural cooperation. The Honourable Member will find further information at the following site: http://
europa.eu.int/comm/culture/index_en.html.

The Commission would point out to the Honourable Member that a call for proposals for projects to be
organised in 2003 will be published in the Official Journal in the first half of 2002. Consequently, cultural
operators will be free to submit their projects so that they can be considered for funding.

Moreover, the Structural Funds may provide a financial contribution to the cultural projects of this region
under the Culture and East Macedonia-Thrace operational programmes (OPs).

The Culture OP of the Community Support Framework for Greece in the 2000-2006 programming period
has a total budget of € 605 million. It is designed to encourage the protection and promotion of the
cultural heritage of Greece and the development of modern Greek culture. Measure 2,8 ) ‘Infrastructure
for culture’ ) of the regional OP for East Macedonia-Thrace for this period has a budget of € 17,6 million