WRITTEN QUESTION P-1647/02 by Jan Mulder (ELDR) to the Commission. Assessment of foot-and-mouth disease compensation funds.
Date: 2002-06-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Friesland, Netherlands, State aid, aid to agriculture, control of State aid, foot-and-mouth disease

5.12.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 301 E/199

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(26 June 2002)

Article 18.1 of Directive 2002/21/EC requires Member States to encourage openness in respect of the
applications-programming interface (API) provision. Article 18.3 requires the Commission to report on
how far interoperability and freedom of choice for users have been achieved one year after the date of
application i.e in July 2004.

The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) adopted an initial version of Multimedia
Home Platform (MHP) as a Technical Specification (TS 101 812) in July 2000, well prior to the adoption
of the Framework Directive. At the December 2001 Plenary, the Commission undertook to include MHP in
the list of standards to be encouraged by Member States. The list is in preparation and will be published in
the autumn.

The Commission has launched a dialogue with industry players on interoperability in interactive television.

Three actions are already underway:

1. The Commission has requested the Digital Video Broadcasting Group to investigate technical

interoperability in relation to interactive television.

2.

3.

Second, the Commission has launched a study on the policy aspects of interoperability which is to
provide an analysis later this year. This will include consumer welfare issues.

Finally, the Commission is requesting the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation
(Cenelec) to undertake,
in co-operation with ETSI, a preliminary study on digital television and
interactive television standardisation with the view to support an implementation of Article 18 of the
Framework Directive that is cost-effective for industry and consumers. This will survey the current
technical situation as well as the standards situation, and produce recommendations for standard-
isation work.

These actions to promote a dialogue on interoperability (cid:1) including migration to MHP (cid:1) have started to
engage market players’ attention. It is too early, however, to predict their outcome.

(2002/C 301 E/210)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1647/02

by Jan Mulder (ELDR) to the Commission

(4 June 2002)

Subject: Assessment of foot-and-mouth disease compensation funds

According to reports in the press, various provincial authorities in the Netherlands,
including that of
Friesland, set up funds in response to the foot-and-mouth crisis in 2001 to provide compensation for the
industries affected by it. In order to ensure that these practices did not violate Article 87 of the EC Treaty
concerning unlawful State aid, in which case they would have to be prohibited, these regional authorities
submitted the arrangements to the Commission for assessment pursuant to Article 88 of the EC Treaty. An
early decision by the Commission is called for, inter alia in the light of the precarious emotional and
financial state of those directly concerned.

In view of the above, will the Commission accelerate the relevant decision-making?

C 301 E/200

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

5.12.2002

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(28 June 2002)

The Commission wishes to assure the Honourable Member that it is fully aware of the precarious situation
of the sectors affected by the foot-and-mouth crisis in 2001.

Presently, the Commission is examining a national aid scheme related to the problems caused by the foot-
and-mouth disease (Stichting Fonds MKZ). Within the context of this notification the Dutch authorities
have indicated that provincial authorities may contribute to this national fund.

Thus far the Commission has received one notification of a provincial aid scheme related to the same
problems (Schadevergoedingsregeling MKZ (cid:1) Friesland). It has received no information on other funds set
up by provincial authorities in the Netherlands in response to the above-mentioned crisis.

The Commission will contact the Dutch authorities in order to collect all necessary information to check
the possible existence of other provincial arrangements, referred to by the Honourable Member, and to
study their compatibility with the common market within the framework of articles 87 and 88 of the EC
Treaty.

Finally, the Commission wishes to draw the attention of the Honourable Member to the provisions of
Article 4(5) of Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 (1) and to assure that it will take a decision as soon as it has at
its disposal all the necessary information enabling it to examine the compatibility of the measure with the
common market.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 of 22 March 1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of

Article 93 [now Article 88] of the EC Treaty, OJ L 83, 27.3.1999.

(2002/C 301 E/211)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1648/02

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(4 June 2002)

Subject: Via Baltica

Can the Commission confirm reports that the Via Baltica motorway project, funded under the EU’s TINA
programme for transport networks in the accession states, will be constructed on a planned route running
directly across the Biebrza National Park in Poland?

How does the Commission reconcile the planned route across a crucial wetland area of international
significance with Community policies on sustainable development and protection of habitats, and in
particular, the designation of important sites by the accession states under Natura 2000?

Will the Commission consider renegotiating a new route for the Polish stage of the Via Baltica with the
Polish Government in order to minimise the environmental impact of the project on the Biebrza National
Park?

(2002/C 301 E/212)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1694/02

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(12 June 2002)

Subject: Decision to route the proposed ‘Via Baltica’ motorway in north-east Poland through the Biebrza

wetlands and the resulting serious damage to the environment

1.
Can the Commission confirm that, as part of the TINA process designed to open up road transport
in the applicant countries, a four-lane motorway ‘Via Baltica’ is being planned, in which connection EU