WRITTEN QUESTION E-3330/02 by Ioannis Marínos (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Taxation of pleasure boats in Greece.
Date: 2002-11-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, charge having equivalent effect, infringement procedure (EU), interpretation of the law, pleasure craft, tax harmonisation, tax law, tax system, vehicle tax

8.5.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 110 E/203

In its forthcoming Report to the Parliament and the Council on the safety of consumer services, the
Commission will assess the needs and possibilities for Community action addressing the safety of services.
In this context,
it is likely that tourism as well as sports and leisure activities will receive particular
attention given the potential risks involved in some of these activities, such as off-piste skiing. However, it
seems that
the
Community from imposing legally binding obligations upon Member States for the organisation of off-
piste skiing.

the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality would prevent

the application of

(1) OJ C 147 E, 20.6.2002.

(2003/C 110 E/225)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3321/02

by Mikko Pesälä (ELDR) to the Commission

(19 November 2002)

Subject: Proposed end to intervention for rye

The Commission’s draft interim report proposes a complete end to market intervention in rye. Rye is used
for fodder in several countries, but for others it has a much wider significance. In Finland, for example, rye
with its high fibre content and positive effect on health has been a fundamental ingredient of dietary foods
such as rye bread and rye porridge. Finns obtain 40 % of their total dietary fibre requirement from rye, and
the situation is almost the same in the other Nordic countries.

How does the Commission propose to take account in its interim report of the fact that in some countries
rye is of considerable importance to health policy, and that without continued intervention in rye used as a
particularly high-quality foodstuff, it would not be possible to produce it in future?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(10 December 2002)

The market in rye shows a structural imbalance between the current volume of production and outlets on
the internal market.

In addition, sales on the world market require a disproportionate refund rate and demand is limited. In this
situation accumulation of intervention stocks is inevitable.

The amount of rye used in the Community is estimated at 4 million tonnes, of which 1,5 million goes for
human consumption.

In proposing that intervention be ended the Commission wishes to align production on the capacity of
internal outlets, including human consumption.

Intervention is merely a safety net. Stopping it will affect only the surplus of production over outlets.

(2003/C 110 E/226)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3330/02

by Ioannis Marínos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 November 2002)

Subject: Taxation of pleasure boats in Greece

According to a report in ‘Agence Europe’ (bulletin of 24 July 2002), the Commission has decided to bring
proceedings against Greece in the Court of Justice for imposing a special tax on private pleasure boats

C 110 E/204

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.5.2003

entering Greek territorial waters. The same source reports that the Greek Parliament adopted a law in
1999 imposing such a tax on vessels of 7 metres or more in length which enter Greek waters and have no
permanent mooring in any Greek port.

Is this information correct? What sanctions might be taken against Greece in the event of a Court ruling
against that country? Which other Member States impose similar taxation?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(23 December 2002)

It is correct that the Commission has initiated proceedings against Greece on account of its tax law. While
the Commission has not been informed of similar rules in force in other Member States, it has been
notified of a provision under Greek tax law levying a tax on private pleasure craft of more than 7 metres
in length entering Greek waters. According to the Commission’s interpretation, this constitutes a tax with
equivalent effect which is prohibited by the EC Treaty, in particular Articles 23 and 25.

Once the Court of Justice has delivered its judgment and if that judgment supports the Commission’s
interpretation, the Commission will open a dialogue with Greece in accordance with the procedures
prescribed by the EC Treaty for infringements of Community law. That dialogue is intended to enable a
process of reform of the national tax law. On completion of the reform, the Commission will re-examine
the Greek legislation and decide whether it is compatible with Community law.

A press release of 23 July 2002 (1) is attached for the Honourable Member’s attention, describing the legal
thinking behind the Commission’s decision to take Greece to Court over its tax on pleasure boats.

(1)

IP/02/1120.

(2003/C 110 E/227)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3333/02

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(26 November 2002)

Subject: Women-owned businesses’ access to public procurement

Is the Commission aware that there is currently no document available on the access of women-owned
businesses to public procurement?

Does the Commission intend to undertake any research into this issue?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(8 January 2003)

The Commission is grateful to the Honourable Member for drawing its attention to the apparent absence
of any document available on the access of women-owned businesses to public procurement within the
Union.

Over the past few years the Commission has endeavoured to improve the data available about public
procurement in general, and for procurement covered by the relevant Community Directives in particular,
and to make it more freely available.

Currently, further research is being carried out to investigate the access of small and medium sized
enterprises to public procurement and a panel study is being started with the aim of comparing cross
border procurement, procurement price trends and the use of social or environmental clauses in
procurement contracts. These studies should provide further information which may be useful to women-
owned businesses interested in access to public procurement opportunities within the Member States.