WRITTEN QUESTION E-0763/02 by Vincenzo Lavarra (PSE) to the Commission. Opposition to the idea of harmonising excise duty on wine.
Date: 2002-03-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: cultural heritage, excise duty, report, tax harmonisation, wine

14.11.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 277 E/83

The Union Action Plan states in point 4.1.1.2 that ‘the Council and the Commission, with the assistance of
Europol, prepare EU guidelines for combating illicit drugs activities via new technologies and in particular
the internet.’

The Commission proposal for a Council Framework Decision on the constituent elements of criminal acts
and penalties in the field of illicit drug trafficking (3) targets illicit drug trafficking in general and thus also
embraces illicit drug trafficking via information and communication technologies,
in particular the
Internet.

The specific issue of drugs and the internet has been considered in the appropriate working structures of
the Council, and this is continuing. And the broader issue is addressed by the multi-annual Community
action plan on promoting safer use of the Internet by combating illegal and harmful content on global
networks adopted by the Parliament and the Council (4). Moreover the Commission has also addressed this
issue in its communication on ‘Creating a safer information society by improving the security of
information infrastructures and combating computer-related crime’ issued in January 2001 (5).

As regards Europol, the Commission is not informed on whether Europol is in possession of specific
information concerning the possible existence of these activities in Greece but it will pass on to Europol
the concerns expressed by the Honorable Member.

(1) Council Document 12555/3/99 (http://ue.eu.int/newsroom/newmain.asp?lang=1).
(2) Council Document 9283/00 and 9283/00 COR1 (http://ue.eu.int/newsroom/newmain.asp?lang=1).
(3) COM(2001) 259 final.
(4) OJ L 33, 6.2.1999.
(5) COM(2000) 890.

(2002/C 277 E/089)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0763/02

by Vincenzo Lavarra (PSE) to the Commission

(18 March 2002)

Subject: Opposition to the idea of harmonising excise duty on wine

Given that:

= wine is central to gastronomy and the Mediterranean diet and can therefore be considered to all

intents and purposes as a staple product;

= it is an integral part of the history and culture of the peoples of Europe,

in particular of the

Mediterranean area, where it is part of the population’s identity;

= it is wrong and unjust to compare wine with truly harmful products, such as spirits and tobacco, since

in moderation it is unanimously recognised to have a healthy effect;

= as regards quality wines or those with a registered designation of origin, the levying of tax (in those

countries where it does not at present exist) may make it less competitive on the market;

= with regard to table wines, which often remain unsold despite very low market prices (cf. the special
distillation scheme in Italy and France), an increase in the cost as a result of excise duty would
aggravate the situation and increase the surplus of table wine on the market;

= because of

the specific characteristics of

the sector most wine producers, especially in the
Mediterranean, are farmers and the excise duty would directly and adversely affect the incomes and
competitiveness of wine-growers, who would be penalised at what is any case a difficult time for
Community agriculture;

= in various EU countries, including Italy, there is at present no excise duty on wine and it would
therefore be unjustified to introduce harmonisation, since this would mean the introduction of a new
levy at a time when it is unanimously agreed that there are already too many levies and taxes on the
agri-foodstuffs and wine sectors.

C 277 E/84

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.11.2002

In view of all this, can the Commission say whether it really intends to propose harmonisation or whether,
because of the special nature of the product (a staple product of great cultural value) and because there are
at present no excise duties on it in some EU countries, it would be better to maintain the status quo or else
propose the abolition of excise duty on wine throughout the Community?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(25 April 2002)

Council Directive 92/84/EEC, of 19 October 1992, deals with the approximation of rates of excise duty on
alcohol and alcoholic beverages (1). Under its provisions it is necessary for the excise duty rates laid down
in that Directive to be reviewed periodically by Council. This review shall be based upon a Commission
report taking into account all relevant issues, especially the proper functioning of the internal market,
competition between the different categories of alcoholic drinks, the real value of the rates of duty and the
wider objectives of the EC Treaty.

At this stage it can only be confirmed that the Commission is preparing a report, which is likely to be
accompanied by a proposal for a Council Directive.

The Commission has not yet taken a decision on the report and proposal in question and is not yet in a
position to comment on their possible contents. However, the Commission report will take into account
all relevant issues.

(1) OJ L 316, 31.10.1992.

(2002/C 277 E/090)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0767/02

by Margrietus van den Berg (PSE) and Jan Wiersma (PSE) to the Commission

(18 March 2002)

Subject: Financing by the Netherlands Government of participation in the Joint Strike Fighter programme

On 8 February 2002, the Netherlands Government decided to enable Dutch industry to participate in the
further development and building (system development and demonstration phase) of the Joint Strike
Fighter (JSF). In a letter of 11 February 2002 to the Lower House of Parliament, the Government enlarged
upon this decision.

The total cost of participation (€ 857,5 million) is partly to be met by means of contributions from the
government (€ 400,7 million from the defence budget, € 60,1 million + 42 million from the Ministry of
Economic Affairs) and industry (€ 55,0 million).

The remainder of the money is to be found by means of loans of approximately € 100 million per annum
from the EMU balance in 2003, 2004 and 2005, which are not considered to be of any relevance to
budgetary discipline.

It was stated in the newspaper NRC Handelsblad on 28 February 2002 that the method of financing
proposed by the Netherlands Government may violate European rules.

Does the Commission agree with the Netherlands Government’s view that

1.
the loan totalling
approximately € 300 million from the EMU balance in 2003, 2004 and 2005 is irrelevant to the rules
concerning European budgetary discipline, or does it reject this analysis?

2.
Are the Netherlands Government’s proposals for participation in the JSF programme as described in
its letter of 11 February 2002 to the Lower House of Parliament acceptable under European law on State
aid?