WRITTEN QUESTION P-2956/02 by María Rodríguez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission. Application of the safeguard clause in respect of imports into the EU of tinned mandarin-orange segments from China.
Date: 2002-10-15
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: China, European Commission, Spain, World Trade Organisation, citrus fruit, common commercial policy, import restriction, international commercial arbitration, operation of the Institutions, protective clause, trade relations

10.7.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 161 E/55

(2003/C 161 E/057)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2956/02

by María Rodríguez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(15 October 2002)

Subject: Application of the safeguard clause in respect of imports into the EU of tinned mandarin-orange

segments from China

In June, Spain requested application (pursuant to Article 22 of Regulation (EC) No 2201/96 (1)) of the
safeguard clause in respect of imported tinned mandarin-orange segments, since the Community market
was being severely disrupted by imports from China.

At the beginning of September 2002 the Spanish authorities sent the Commission further information
additional to what it had submitted in July concerning the serious state of affairs which has prevailed in
the mandarin-orange market in recent months.

How does the Commission account for its inaction when (cid:1) according to Article 22 of the above regulation
(cid:1) it is required, in a serious situation such as this, to adopt measures within three working days following
receipt of notification?

(1) OJ L 297, 21.11.1996, p. 29.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(12 November 2002)

As the Honourable Member knows, safeguard measures vis-à-vis World Trade Organisation (WTO)
Members (such as China) can only be imposed in acordance with WTO obligations. This means that the
Community may only act in accordance with WTO rules in this field. One of these requirements is that it
is the task of the Member States to present a file with sufficient information as to the nature and
dimension of the trade disturbance, and of the serious impact on the relevant Community producers.

Unfortunately, the information presented by Spain up until now does not meet the high standards imposed
by WTO and the Community’s rules. The Commission is in close contact with Spain, highlighting aspects
to be completed in order to fulfil
these standards, and will expeditiously examine any additional
information provided. The Honourable Member can rest assured that the Commission will not hesitate to
proprose the appropriate action as soon as this is legally justified.

(2003/C 161 E/058)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2967/02

by Pere Esteve (ELDR) and Isidoro Sánchez García (ELDR) to the Commission

Subject: Protection of Mediterranean forests

(22 October 2002)

In the light of the current situation regarding forests in the Mediterranean areas of the European Union
and of the absence of any specific policies for their protection or reforestation: what is the Commission’s
view on the drawing-up of an EU-financed plan for the restoration of Mediterranean forests, comprising
programmes based on sustainable criteria for the protection, regeneration and conservation of the forests
of southern Europe and the establishing of a European protected forest heritage for forests with flora and
fauna of particular ecological value that are public property and managed by non-governmental
organisations?

How would the Commission assess this initiative? Does it intend to bring forward any other proposals
concerning the protection of Mediterranean forests?