WRITTEN QUESTION E-2264/02 by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Data on the status and number of gamekeepers.
Date: 2002-07-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU Member State, approximation of laws, forest ranger, recognition of diplomas, recognition of vocational training qualifications, vocational training

C 137 E/64

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

12.6.2003

the EC Treaty. That question was raised in proceedings between Cura Anlagen GmbH, a company
established in Austria, and Auto Service Leasing GmbH, a company established in Germany and without a
place of business in Austria, concerning the performance of a vehicle leasing contract concluded between
those two companies.

The legislation concerning taxation of motor vehicles has not been harmonised. The taxation of cars is
different in many respects in Austria and Finland and in depth research would be needed to establish the
differences between the two systems. However, it may be noted that the car taxation in Finland does not
vary on the basis of how long the vehicle is registered in Finland. Likewise the Austrian ‘Normverbrauch-
sabgabe’ does not change according to the duration of registration.

In case C-451/99 the Court ruled that the provisions of the EC Treaty on the freedom to provide services
(Articles 49 to 55 of the EC Treaty) preclude legislation of a Member State requiring an undertaking
established in that Member State which takes a lease of a vehicle registered in another Member State to
register it in the first Member State in order to be able to use it there beyond a period that is so short that
it makes it impossible or excessively difficult to comply with the requirements imposed and imposing
payment, in the Member State of use, of a consumption tax the amount of which is not proportionate to
the duration of the registration of the vehicle in that Member State.

The Commission takes note of the information on leased cars provided by the Honourable Member and
will consider it in its ongoing examination of the compatibility of the Finnish rules on car taxation with
Community law and, in particular, Article 49 of the EC Treaty. It stresses, however, that although the
Finnish car taxation and the Austrian taxation system examined by the Court of Justice appear to have
some similar features, the matter needs further study.

(2003/C 137 E/072)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2264/02

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 July 2002)

Subject: Data on the status and number of gamekeepers

Can the European Commission indicate whether it possesses any data about the status and number of
gamekeepers and accredited gamekeepers in the individual Member States and whether it has any sources
from which to obtain such data?

(2003/C 137 E/073)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2265/02

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 July 2002)

Subject: Harmonisation measures and gamekeepers

the Member States of

In most of
the
environment, the countryside, the interests of hunters and hunting. They frequently work without any
remuneration.

the European Union, gamekeepers are employed to protect

Accredited gamekeepers care for and protect flora and fauna. They are experts in their field. By taking
well-judged care and protection measures, they contribute to the maintenance of a balance between the
various animal species. They lecture in schools and in public establishments and, in so doing, introduce
their audiences to the delights of nature. Sometimes, however, they are obliged to intervene in the natural
order when, for example, they have to put a beast in the forest (cid:1) or, more likely, on the roads (cid:1) out of its
misery. Sometimes, they have to take action when the numbers of a particular species become excessive
and the animals begin to cause damage.

In some Member States, e.g. Belgium, Austria, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and
Luxembourg, national and regional associations of gamekeepers have been established to look after the
interests, protection and training of accredited gamekeepers.

Can the Commission indicate whether any measures to achieve harmonisation in the sphere of
gamekeeping exist, have been taken or are to be taken?