WRITTEN QUESTION P-1374/02 by Hans-Peter Martin (PSE) to the Commission. Reforms entailed by enlargement.
Date: 2002-05-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: accession to the European Union, administration of the Institutions, administrative expenditure (EU), manpower needs, multiannual financial framework, personnel administration

5.12.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 301 E/137

The Commission considers that the current presentation requirements for these wines are sufficiently
precise and uniform to ensure fair competition. It may reconsider the situation in future in the light of
production and market trends.

(1) OJ L 198, 22.7.1991.
(2) OJ L 179, 14.7.1999.

(2002/C 301 E/148)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1374/02

by Hans-Peter Martin (PSE) to the Commission

(6 May 2002)

Subject: Reforms entailed by enlargement

Numerous reforms are required as a result of the enlargement of the Union.

Are there already specific plans and posts for staff and officials in the Directorates-General geared to the
accession of three, five or even ten Member States?

Can the Commission provide details of the additional staff and financial resources required?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(25 June 2002)

In order to identify the direct implications of the next enlargement for activities and human resources, the
Commission has carried out a thorough assessment of its likely needs in an enlarged European Union. As a
result of the conclusions of various European Councils, this assessment is based on the assumption that up
to ten countries will
languages will
consequently be in use.

join the Union as from 1 January 2004 and nine new official

The result of the analysis, the methodology, and a breakdown of the expected developments by main
policy groupings and by main job profiles are set out laid down in the Commission Communication on
‘Activities and Human Resources of the Commission in the Enlarged European Union’ (1).

As outlined in the Communication, the overall needs amount to 3 900 net additional full time equivalent
persons compared to 2002.

As the Honourable Member will recall, the inter-Institutional agreement (I.I.A.) envisaged a gradual increase
of the ceiling of Heading 5 (administrative expenditure) to EUR 450 million (at 1999 prices) two years
after accession for six countries. With accession now expected in 2004 (the I.I.A. originally foresaw
accession to take place in 2002), the corresponding level for Heading 5 would be reached in 2006.

Using the same approach to the possible accession of four additional Member States as that employed on
Agenda 2000 means an indicative ‘topping-up’ of EUR 612 million in 2006 set out in the Common
Financial Framework 2004-2006 (2). These additional appropriations for a Union of 25 Member States
would permit the financing of some 2300 additional establishment plan posts up to 2006 (part A of the
Budget) (3). That is compatible with the indicative phasing-in period of additional posts up to 2006 taking
account of departments’ needs, the phasing-in profile of new posts in previous enlargements, and the
Institution’s absorption capacity in terms of new recruits.

The underlying assumption is that phasing in of all the net 3 900 additional human resources, including
appropriations for outside personnel, will follow the same pattern of establishment plan posts in part A of
the budget.

However, the overall needs concerning Heading 5 will have to take into account the needs of the other
Institutions whose global estimates are not yet fully available as well as those of the Commission. The
ceiling of Heading 5 in 2006 will therefore have to be re-assessed in the light of actual needs to be phased
in and of the room of manoeuvre within the overall ceiling of the current financial perspectives

C 301 E/138

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

5.12.2002

In some areas there will be a very substantial pre-accession workload (e.g. linguistic services, structural
policies and Common Agricultural Policy). The Commission has, therefore, in the APS 2003, identified a
priority need for 500 temporary staff for 2003. The persons recruited in 2003 may continue their work in
2004 and beyond. However, these 500 staff will not be in addition to the needs assessed for the period
after enlargement.

(1) COM(2002) 218.
(2)

Information Note Common Financial Framework 2004-2006 for the Accession Negotiations, Communication from
the Commission, SEC(2002) 102, 30.1.2002.

(3) The same figure is arrived at following two different approaches. The first one by applying the expected increase in
the ceiling of Heading 5 in 2006 (+ 12 % at 1999 prices) to the number of current posts in the Commission
establishment plan (including OLAF and OPOCE, but excluding Research). The second one based on the share
(31 %) of appropriations for Commission staff remuneration (Chapter A-11, including other budget items more
closely connected with posts but excluding pensions) as a percentage of total appropriations in Part A of the budget
and dividing it by the average cost for an official.

(2002/C 301 E/149)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1385/02

by Elspeth Attwooll (ELDR) to the Commission

Subject: Access to information on fisheries policy

(6 May 2002)

Publication of the first package of legislative reforms of the Common Fisheries Policy is currently delayed
for at least another month. However, copies of the proposals under discussion have been circulating freely
for the some weeks. Many NGOs and industry organisations apparently have access to drafts but MEPs
cannot officially obtain copies even of those parts of the package not still under negotiation. In the
the
interests of a level playing field for information and meaningful consultation with MEPs will
Commission formally review its procedures for providing draft copies to interested parties,
including
MEPs?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(27 May 2002)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its joint answer to written questions P-1319/02
by Catherine Stihler, P-1325/02 by Ian Hudghton and P-1341/02 by Struan Stevenson (1).

(1) See page 123.

(2002/C 301 E/150)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1389/02

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(15 May 2002)

Subject: Examination of aquaculture products

The 2001 National Residue Monitoring Plan stipulated that aquaculture products should be examined for
nitrofane (examination of the AOZ metabolites). The examination method has been developed for the EU
by Dr Kennedy in Belfast (National Examining Laboratory).

However, this method is not being released, denying private laboratories access to it.

1. What view does the Commission take of the fact that an examination method developed using EU
funding has been declared the private property of the developer, Dr Kennedy?

How are suppliers supposed to have their goods checked if there is no readily available examination

2.
method?