WRITTEN QUESTION E-1137/02 by Elspeth Attwooll (ELDR) to the Commission. Preservation of dugongs and international fisheries agreements.
Date: 2002-04-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: East Africa, by-catch, fishing agreement, fishing net, fishing regulations, marine mammal, protected species, protection of animal life

C 277 E/152

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.11.2002

(2002/C 277 E/172)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1134/02

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Administrative costs of agricultural aid

(22 April 2002)

The administration of EAGGF aid paid to Greek farmers (collection and submission of documentation etc.)
is carried out by cooperative organisations and producer groups.

Since the administration of the payment of agricultural aid involves a certain cost, will the Commission
say:

1. Whether the expenses incurred in paying the aid through the Integrated Administration and Control
System or other common organisations of the market qualify for funding and whether such funding
has been granted to date and to which bodies, and

2. Whether the paying agency (Opekepe) receives funding for the cost of administering the aid?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(28 May 2002)

1.
As concerns aids paid under schemes covered by the Integrated Administration and Control system,
there is no Community provision to finance those administrative costs referred to by the Honourable
Member. However, some other market schemes do indeed provide expressly for a fixed rate or percentage
reduction to cover administrative costs in the way suggested. For example, Council Regulation No 136/66/
EEC of 22 September 1966 on the establishment of a common organisation of the market in oils and
fats (1) provides for the withholding of 0,8 % of production aid for olive oil to cover administrative costs
involved in its disbursement.

The Greek paying agency (Opekepe) does not receive Community funding for the cost of

2.
administering aid.

(1) OJ P 172, 30.9.1966.

(2002/C 277 E/173)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1137/02

by Elspeth Attwooll (ELDR) to the Commission

(22 April 2002)

Subject: Preservation of dugongs and international fisheries agreements

Is the Commission aware of the rapid depletion of stocks of the dugong, considered the inspiration for
tales of mermaids, off the coast of Africa as a result, in part, of gill net fishing? If so, has the Commission
undertaken any research into the impact on stocks of dugong of fishing undertaken by Community vessels
as part of fisheries agreements concluded with certain African states? What remedial action has the
Commission taken, or does it plan to take, where appropriate?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(22 May 2002)

The dugong is listed as Vulnerable to extinction at a global scale by the World Conservation Union
(IUCN: International Union for conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Red List of Threatened
Species) based on the two following criteria: a decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence and/or

14.11.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 277 E/153

quality of habitat and its actual or potential levels of exploitation. The dugong lives in shallow waters of
tropical seas. Major concentrations of dugong tend to occur in wide shallow protected waters (in which
they graze on sea grass beds), but can also be observed in deeper water farther offshore in areas where the
continental shelf is wide, shallow and protected.

Notwithstanding the habitat conservation being a highly critical issue, or the direct exploitation by local
communities, accidental entangling in mesh nets in particular from coastal and traditional fisheries,
is
identified as a major concern in most of its distribution area. The Commission has no information on the
extent of possible entanglements in gillnets, in particular off the coast of East Africa.

However, Community vessels operating in the framework of fisheries agreements concluded with East
African States (Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles) within the distribution range of this species do not use
gillnets, nor are they allowed to operate in coastal waters. The vessels may only fish as from 10 to
12 nautical miles. The Commission has not undertaken research into a possible impact of those fisheries
in view of its biology characteristics and the type of fisheries concerned by these
on dugong, and,
agreements, does not consider that Community fishing represents a threat to this species.

(2002/C 277 E/174)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1144/02

by Bill Newton Dunn (ELDR) to the Commission

(15 April 2002)

Subject: State aid

Was the Commission ever consulted as to whether the contribution of GBP 150 000 made in 1999/2000
by Lincolnshire County Council towards the construction of a road to the premises of QV Foods Limited at
Holbeach Hurn was a State aid which was acceptable under European Union rules?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(21 May 2002)

The construction of new public roads which are open to all road users is in general considered to be a
general
infrastructure measure and not State aid and is therefore not subject to notification to the
Commission in accordance with Article 88 of the EC Treaty.

The Commission was not consulted on the payment mentioned, no such case has been registered.

(2002/C 277 E/175)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1153/02

by Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN) to the Commission

(15 April 2002)

Subject: Replanting vines in Sicily

Many wine-growers in Sicily are replanting vines in accordance with Regulation (EC) 1325/90 (1) et seq. C
set to expire in the 2002/2002 marketing year.

These wine-growers are currently experiencing serious difficulties owing to an extremely severe and long-
lasting period of drought.

In addition to the possible loss of their vines, these growers are also faced with the fact that it is legally
impossible for them to provide for the coming year.