WRITTEN QUESTION P-2874/02 by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Early payment of subsidies to Irish farmers.
Date: 2002-10-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EAGGF, EU aid, Ireland, advance payment, agricultural production, aid to agriculture, atmospheric conditions, cereals, derogation from EU law, fodder

8.5.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 110 E/117

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(21 November 2002)

The Municipality of Rome did not submit any application under the LIFE III programme, nor did it submit
any proposal in the framework of the general calls for proposals 2001 and 2002 of the Directorate
General for Environment, under the theme ‘environmental awareness-raising’.

In the past, following a call for proposals (1) on environmental awareness raising projects, the municipality
of Rome has been granted a subvention to co-finance the Mediterranean Local Agenda 21 conference,
which took place in Rome 22-24 November 1995. The total amount paid by the Commission amounts to
EUR 45 216, which covers part of the costs for the organisation of the conference.

(1) OJ C 71, 23.3.1995.

(2003/C 110 E/123)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2874/02

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(7 October 2002)

Subject: Early payment of subsidies to Irish farmers

According to a press report in Sweden (based on an Irish press report), the Irish Minister for Agriculture
has asked the Commission to bring forward the date for payment of EU subsidies for cattle and to increase
them by EUR 500 million.
It is also reported that the Irish Minister for Agriculture has asked the
Commission to pay out area support of some EUR 100 million now (i.e. before the second Irish
referendum on the Treaty of Nice) when it is actually due to be paid in instalments over the coming year.
The Irish Ministry of Agriculture is said to have prepared for quick payment of the money.

The Irish Examiner reports that the Minister for Agriculture has written to his party workers in Fianna Fail
encouraging them to use the financial support in arguing for a vote in favour of the Treaty of Nice.

Is the above information concerning early payments to Irish farmers correct? If so, does it have a direct
bearing on the referendum on the Treaty of Nice to be held in Ireland on 19 October 2002?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(31 October 2002)

Both Ireland and the United Kingdom informed the Commission of the cash flow problems encountered
by their farmers owing to the exceptionally adverse weather this spring and summer, when a combination
of abnormally low temperatures and abnormally high rainfall led to reductions in the quality of the cereal
and fodder crops in certain regions.

Not all fields could be harvested, and both grazing animals and, where access to fields was possible,
machinery damaged the structure of the sodden ground.

Farmers’ real average yields were therefore exceptionally low and they had to meet the immediate
additional cost of drying cereals and buying in extra fodder to feed cattle during the period.

C 110 E/118

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.5.2003

Ireland and the United Kingdom therefore asked the Commission at the beginning of the summer for
authorisation to pay an advance on the area payment for arable crops. Having checked the accuracy of the
data sent the Commission authorised advance payment, from 16 October 2002, of a maximum of 50 % of
the 2002/03 marketing year area aid payment to farmers located in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

This authorisation was given by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1818/2002 of 11 October 2002 (1)
derogating from Article 8 of Regulation (EC) No 1251/1999 (2) under which payments for 2002/03 were
due to be made from 16 November 2002.

Similar waivers had already been granted for certain regions of Germany and Italy by Commission
Regulations (EC) Nos 1519/2002 of 23 August 2002 (3) and 1535/2002 of 28 August 2002 (4) derogating
from Regulation (EC) No 1251/1999.

the weather
On beef sector premiums,
conditions adduced, by Regulation (EC) No 1830/2002 (5) authorised all Member States so wishing to raise
from 60 % to 80 % the advance on 2002 calendar year premiums in order to help farmers meet their
immediate cash needs.

the Commission, having verified the exceptional nature of

Under Regulation (EC) No 2342/1999 of 28 October 1999 (6) laying down detailed rules of application for
Regulation (EC) No 1254/1999 advances on bovine premiums can be made, on the basis of
the
administrative and on-the-spot checks required by the Community rules, only from 16 October of the
calendar year for which the premium is requested.

(1) OJ L 276, 12.10.2002.
(2) Council Regulation (EC) No 1251/1999 of 17 May 1999 establishing a support system for producers of certain

arable crops, OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.

(3) OJ L 228, 24.8.2002.
(4) OJ L 231, 29.8.2002.
(5) Commission Regulation (EC) No 1830/2002 of 14 October 2002 amending Regulation (EC) No 2342/1999 laying
down detailed rules for application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1254/1999 on common organisation of the
market in beef and veal as regards premium schemes, OJ L 277, 15.10.2002.

(6) OJ L 281, 4.11.1999.

(2003/C 110 E/124)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2882/02

by María Valenciano Martínez-Orozco (PSE) to the Commission

(14 October 2002)

Subject: Case brought by the Commission against the Kingdom of Spain (cid:1) Case C-358/01 (cid:1) importation

of cleaning agents containing bleach

Can the Commission say what stage has been reached in the above proceedings?

Can it say whether it has received any response to its request from the Spanish Government?

What concrete measures will it take to resolve this case and ensure that Community legislation is complied
with?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(18 November 2002)

The infringement procedure mentioned by the Honourable Member is Procedure No 1999/4134 relating
to Spanish legislation on liquid bleach.

The Spanish authorities have replied to the Commission at the various stages of the administrative
proceedings launched under Article 226 of the EC Treaty.