WRITTEN QUESTION E-1523/02 by John McCartin (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Beef self-sufficiency in the EU.
Date: 2002-06-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: agricultural surplus, beef, intervention policy, market intervention, self-sufficiency in food

5.12.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 301 E/169

(2002/C 301 E/180)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1521/02

by Ioannis Averoff (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(27 May 2002)

Subject: Environmental effects of the construction of hydroelectric projects in the Epirus area

In its answer to my question P-3174/01 (13 November 2001) (1) concerning the environmental effects of
the construction of hydroelectric projects in the Epirus area, the Commission states that it would send a
letter to the Greek authorities requesting information, in the light of which it would examine the alleged
incompatibility of the projects with a number of Community provisions.

What was the Greek authorities’ answer and what was the Commission’s assessment thereof?

(1) OJ C 134 E, 6.6.2002, p. 207.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(17 June 2002)

On the basis of the questions raised by the Honourable Member, the Commission opened a file on the
matter to determine whether the work in question conforms with Community environment legislation.

The Commission contacted the Greek authorities and asked for information on conformity with Council
Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private
projects on the environment (1), as amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 (2), and on
the account taken of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats
and of wild fauna and flora (3) when the works were planned and approved.

The file was discussed at the last meeting between the Commission and the Greek authorities on the
application of Community environment legislation in Greece (the so-called package meeting) which took
place in February 2002.

At the meeting, the Greek authorities claimed that a decision approving the environmental conditions has
been adopted for only one low-capacity hydroelectric plant at Anilio. According to the Greek authorities,
there are no plans to construct a hydroelectric plant at Vovoussa, as no preliminary decision on location
or environmental impact assessment has been submitted to the national authorities. They added that the
national authorities had received a preliminary decision on location for a project to build a hydroelectric
plant at Agios Nikolaos on the Arachthos river near Dafnoti commune, and that this was currently under
consideration.

The Greek authorities replied formally by letter to the Greek Permanent Representation to the European
Union. The letter confirms the information given at the package meeting and includes numerous annexes.
The Commission is currently examining the official response of the Greek authorities before deciding what
further steps to take in this matter.

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.
(2) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.
(3) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2002/C 301 E/181)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1523/02

by John McCartin (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(3 June 2002)

Subject: Beef self-sufficiency in the EU

Can the Commission state what is the level of self-sufficiency of beef in the EU and what is being done
with any surplus production?

C 301 E/170

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

5.12.2002

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(26 June 2002)

The level of self-sufficiency of beef in the Union varied in the period 1999-2001 between 101 % and
108 %. Whereas most of the beef production was destinated for internal Union consumption, part of it was
exported to third countries (between 500 000 and 870 000 tonnes per year).

As a result of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)-crisis, several measures were taken with a view
to restore the market balance. Around 250 000 tonnes were put into public storage. Furthermore, several
exceptional support measures were adopted that allowed considerable quantities of beef to be taken off the
market, i.e. 240 000 tonnes under the Purchase for Destruction Scheme; 205 000 tonnes under the Special
Purchase Scheme; 185 000 tonnes under various BSE and Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) culling schemes.

(2002/C 301 E/182)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1530/02

by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Promoting the study of physics among young people

(3 June 2002)

There is an alarming decrease in the number of science students and the public seems not to be aware of
the gravity of the problem. Why are there increasingly fewer students choosing physics and mathematics
at university level?

The lack of physics students is a particularly important problem because it applies to almost all the
European Union countries. Therefore expects have agreed that investigations should be carried out in the
Member States to provide solutions for combating the current low levels of interest in physics within the
Community.

Can the Commission indicate if it considers it would be able to promote far-reaching measures and
programmes at Community level to motivate our young people to take up the study of physics at school
and at university, thus resolving the problems caused by the ever-decreasing decline of interest in the
subject which affect all Community economies?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(31 July 2002)

The decline in the number of people wanting to study science subjects in Europe was discussed at an
informal joint meeting of Education and Research Ministers in Uppsala in March 2001, where a broad
consensus was established on the need to motivate young people, and girls in particular, to study science
subjects and take up careers in science. Students’ motivation plays an important role in their levels of
success in scientific disciplines, and the image which they form of science when they are young is decisive
when it comes to choosing a career in this area.

The February 2001 Education Council adopted, for the first time in the history of the Europe of education,
a report on the concrete future objectives of education and training systems to be attained by 2010 (1). The
Stockholm European Council of 23 and 24 March 2001 identified mathematics, sciences and technology
as a priority area.

Within the framework of the open coordination method, a group of experts composed of representatives
of the 15 Member States has started work aimed at increasing the numbers opting for scientific and
technological subjects, and they will be using instruments such as indicators and performance calibration.
Physics is obviously one of the science subjects in the expert group’s sights.