WRITTEN QUESTION E-2979/02 by Anders Wijkman (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Large state subsidies to the German forestry industry.
Date: 2002-10-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, Germany, State aid, accession to the European Union, control of State aid, investment aid, regional aid, silviculture

3.7.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 155 E/69

As regards specifically Greece and Turkey, both countries have come close to depositing jointly their
3.
instruments of ratification (for Greece) or accession (for Turkey) to the Ottawa Convention. Marking and
protection of Greek minefields along the Turkish border have, according to Greek sources, already resulted
in a reduction of accidents by almost 90 % (cf. Landmine Monitor Report 2002 of the International
Campaign to Ban Landmines).

(2003/C 155 E/077)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2964/02

by James Fitzsimons (UEN) to the Council

(15 October 2002)

Subject:

‘Forest Focus’

As the Council is aware, the Commission recently brought forward a proposal for a new scheme to be
known as ‘Forest Focus’ to protect Europe’s forests and to develop an awareness of the importance of
forests to our environment. Forests in the EU cover 36 % of the EU’s total landmass. Has the Council
considered this proposal which is backed by the European Parliament and what assurances can it give that
countries such as Ireland will be able to benefit from this programme?

Reply

(4 March 2003)

As the Honourable Member points out, the purpose of the proposal for a Regulation of the European
Parliament and of the Council concerning monitoring of forests and environmental interactions in the
Community (Forest Focus)
forests and
environmental interactions to protect the Community’s forests.

is to establish a new Community scheme on monitoring of

The scheme would be based on the results obtained from two Council Regulations on monitoring the
impact of atmospheric pollution and fires on forest ecosystems, which expire at the end of 2002. The
Council is aware of the importance and the urgency of the matter and has already held five working party
meetings: on 24 July, 12 September, 1 October, 10 October and 4 November 2002. A further two
working party meetings were scheduled for November.

At its meeting on 9/10 December, the Council took note of a progress report on the latest work
concerning the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on monitoring of
forests and environmental interactions in the Community. On this occasion, the President welcomed the
very substantial progress
that had been made on the dossier. He called upon the Permanent
Representatives Committee to continue its efforts towards reaching a final agreement, if possible at first
reading, during the incoming Greek Presidency in early 2003, pending the European Parliament’s opinion.

(2003/C 155 E/078)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2979/02

by Anders Wijkman (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Large state subsidies to the German forestry industry

(22 October 2002)

The forestry sector in Germany has expanded considerably over the last decade as a result of state aid
being pumped into the industry. During the summer of 2002, Stendahl Pulp Mercer International decided
to expand even further. The German government is contributing 715 million in loans and grants of the
budget for this project, which amounts to some 800 million. State subsidies of this magnitude have an

C 155 E/70

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.7.2003

extremely detrimental impact on the competitiveness of the rest of the forestry industry in the region. How
does the Commission explain its approval of state aid on this scale when it runs counter to the basic
principles on which the development and growth of the common market are based (an open market
economy, trade and competition between the Member States)?

Ahead of the forthcoming enlargement of the EU, it has been said that investment aid to industry may
compensate for lower farming subsidies in the applicant countries. Is this correct?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(25 November 2002)

In June 2002 the Commission authorised aid to Zellstoff Stendal for the construction of a new pulp
mill (1). Investment costs amounted to some EUR 800 million. The aid amounts to around EUR 250 mil-
lion.

The aid has been granted on basis of regional considerations to promote the economic development of
one of the less-favoured regions in the Community by supporting investment and job creation. The project
of Zellstoff Stendal has been approved on basis of the Multisectoral Framework on regional aid for large
investment projects. The Commission authorised the aid because of the positive impact of this project on
employment in the region and as it has found that the pulp sector does not suffer from over-capacities.

The application of the rules of the Multisectoral Framework for large investment projects has reduced the
aid to the Stendal project compared to the aid intensity generally allowed in the region where it is located.

According rules apply already now in the candidate countries. Therefore, investment aid to industry does
not compensate for possible lower farming subsidies in the candidate countries.

(1) See press release IP/02/888 of 19.6.2002.

(2003/C 155 E/079)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2983/02

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Council

(23 October 2002)

Subject: Measures to reduce fisheries accidents

Paragraph 3 of the EP’s resolution of 5 April 2001 on Fisheries: safety and causes of accidents (1) ‘urges the
Council to promote greater coverage of fishermen in Council Directive 93/104/EC on certain aspects of
the organisation of working time, amended by Directive 2000/34/EC of the European Parliament and the
Council, so as to improve their protection’.

Has the Council taken any steps in this connection?

How does the Council think progress should be made with regard to fisheries safety?

(1) OJ C 21 E, 24.1.2002, p. 359.

Reply

(20 February 2003)

Directive 2000/34/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 June 2000 extended the scope
of Council Directive 93/104/EC to include, amongst others, fishermen.