WRITTEN QUESTION E-0834/02 by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Scrapping of fishing fleets.
Date: 2002-03-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, FIFG, common fisheries policy, eligibility criteria, fishing fleet, structural policy

C 205 E/224

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.8.2002

(2002/C 205 E/244)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0830/02

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 March 2002)

Subject: European register of companies practising alternative dispute settlement

Following the trial period of the European Extrajudicial Network (EEJ Network), Europe’s consumers now
have more suitable alternatives for the alternative settlement of disputes.

For this reason, many consumers’ associations in the EU Member States are considering whether or not it
would be a good time to set up a European register of companies belonging to the alternative dispute-
settlement system (or consumer arbitration), so that both consumers and companies would have effective
ways of generating mutual trust, which is essential if a modern, competitive internal market is to function
properly.

Does the Commission not think that, following the trial period of the EEJ Network, encouragement should
be given to the setting up of a European register of companies practising consumer arbitration as a scheme
for the alternative settlement of disputes? Such companies could be granted an official badge which would
inspire confidence on the part of consumers from any Member State.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(25 April 2002)

The pilot phase of the European Extra-Judicial Network (EEJ-Net) was launched on 16 October 2001. This
pilot phase will last for one year. The EEJ-Net involves a total of 17 countries (all Member States, plus
Norway and Iceland). It was considered desirable to begin with a test period 4 for the full network to be
completed, for the consumer dispute resolution bodies to assimilate and familiarise themselves with the
network, and for an ongoing review to be undertaken to improve its operation. The Commission intends
to report on the success of the pilot phase in the autumn 2002.

The Commission has also set up a group of government experts, which meets regularly to monitor
development of the pilot phase and to discuss issues relating to the network. Although there is no specific
intention at this point to create a register of companies participating in the dispute resolution system, the
Commission agrees that this idea could be explored further. Preliminary discussions on this issue have
already taken place within the government experts group, and this matter will be examined more fully in
the autumn report.

(2002/C 205 E/245)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0834/02

by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(26 March 2002)

Subject: Scrapping of fishing fleets

At question time on 12 March 2002, Commissioner Fischler replied to a question which I put concerning
the support for scrapping of fishing fleets which was approved in connection with the 2002 budget
procedure. However, he did not fully reply to the question or to the supplementary question concerning
one aspect: may EU subsidies under such schemes also be paid for the scrapping of vessels which were
built with the aid of previous EU subsidies? I would therefore reiterate the question: may they?

29.8.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 205 E/225

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(22 April 2002)

As the Member of the Commission responsible for Fisheries explained in his answer to the Honourable
Member’s oral question H-83/02 during question time at Parliament’s March 2002 session (1), the funds
made available in the context of the specific measure, due to the non conclusion of the agreement with
Morocco, are additional funds to the funds already available under the Financial Instrument for Fisheries
Guidance (FIFG), which is one of the four Structural Funds.

The FIFG finance is open to all Member States and the rules and arrangements have been fixed in Council
Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 of 17 December 1999 laying down the detailed rules and arrangements
regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector (2). According to these rules, the scrapping
of fishing vessels is one of the eligible measures. One of the most important eligibility conditions for
scrapping is that vessels are 10 years old or more. This condition also applies to vessels which have
received public aid to be built. So vessels, which in the past, have received Community aid for construction
are not necessarily excluded.

It should, however, be stressed that this is not a ‘scrap and build scheme’, as the main conditions attached
to the management of the fleet require that capacity built with public aid is compensated by a withdrawal
of, at least, the same capacity without public aid, and that capacity withdrawn with public aid cannot be
replaced.

(1) Oral reply, 12.3.2002.
(2) OJ L 337, 30.12.1999.

(2002/C 205 E/246)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0838/02

by Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 March 2002)

Subject: Article 151 of the EC Treaty and cultural heritage 4 budgetary aspects

According to Article 151(2) of the Treaty establishing the European Community, action is possible at EU
level with a view to the conservation and safeguarding of cultural heritage of European significance.

In total, how much of the EU budget has been committed to projects in this area since 1999, and under
which budget headings?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(21 May 2002)

the EC Treaty,

Under Article 151 of
the Community has responsibility for encouraging cultural
cooperation between Member States and, if necessary, supporting and supplementing their action in a
number of areas, including the conservation and safeguarding of cultural heritage of European significance.
This objective is pursued by the ‘Culture 2000’ framework programme for promoting cultural cooperation
in Europe (budget heading B3-2008); prior to the entry into force of this programme in 2000, it was
pursued by the ‘Raphaël’ programme (former budget heading B3-2000).

The amounts committed in 1999 under budget heading B3-2000 were € 6,5 million, which were devoted
entirely to measures targeted at the cultural heritage.

The amounts for measures concerning the cultural heritage that were committed in 2000 and 2001 under
budget heading B3-2008 were € 14,4 million and € 11,8 million respectively.

Detailed information on the projects supported in the area of the conservation and safeguarding of cultural
heritage in 2000 and 2001 may be found at the following address: http://europa.eu.int/comm/culture/eac/
index_en.html