WRITTEN QUESTION P-3621/02 by Ian Hudghton (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Local abattoir facilities — Western Isles of Scotland.
Date: 2002-12-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European standard, Scotland, State aid, aid to agriculture, health legislation, humanitarian aid, island, meat processing industry

C 155 E/174

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.7.2003

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(5 February 2003)

The Commission acknowledges the concern expressed by the Honourable Member about the teaching of
mother tongue in the host countries for children of European citizens who change countries, especially at
a time where mobility is at the core of European policies. However, the Resolution makes no provision for
reporting by Member States, and the Commission has no recent information about the current situation
and different measures taken in Member States.

With regard to language teaching in general, the Commission is, of course, implementing the second phase
of the Socrates action programme (1) in the field of education and the second phase of the Community
vocational training action programme ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ (2). These include a wide range of actions
intended to promote language teaching and learning, such as teacher exchanges, production of new
teaching material, improvement of methods and tools as well as measures to promote competence in
foreign languages in specific situations and contexts.

(1) Decision No 253/2000/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 24 January 2000 establishing the second phase

of the Community action programme in the field of education ‘Socrates’ (cid:1) OJ L 28, 3.2.2000.

(2) Decision No 382/1999/EC of the Council of 26 April 1999 establishing the second phase of the Community

vocational training action programme ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ (cid:1) OJ L 146, 11.6.1999.

(2003/C 155 E/193)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3621/02

by Ian Hudghton (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(9 December 2002)

Subject: Local abattoir facilities (cid:1) Western Isles of Scotland

Written question E-2293/02 (1), asked by me and answered by Commissioner Byrne, gave an encouraging
response to the possibility of support being given using Community funding under the Highlands and
Islands programme to small local abattoirs, in order to bring such establishments up to required standards
and ensure their viability.

Can the Commission confirm whether Mr Byrne’s encouraging response took into account state aid rules,
and that therefore no restriction would be applied under state aid rules to the type of assistance envisaged
in that response?

(1) OJ C 28 E, 6.2.2003, p. 215.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 2003)

As far as state aid is concerned, point 4.2 of the Community guidelines for State aid in the agriculture
sector (1) apply. ‘As a general rule aid granted to support investments in connection with the processing
and marketing of agricultural products may only be granted to enterprises which can be demonstrated to
be economically viable, based on an assessment of the prospects of the enterprise, and which comply with
minimum standards regarding the environment, hygiene and animal welfare’. No aid may be granted
unless sufficient evidence can be produced that normal market outlets for the services concerned can be
found. For small local abattoirs, this has to be assessed at the appropriate level in relation to the services
concerned, the types of investments, and existing and expected capacities.

3.7.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 155 E/175

As already the Commission has pointed out, investments for the establishment of small local abattoirs may
be eligible for aid within the framework of the structural funds programme for the Highlands and Islands
under Objective 1 (Article 25 (cid:1) 28 of Council Regulation (EC) 1257/1999 on support
for rural
development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and amending and
repealing certain Regulations (2)).

The Scottish authorities have to assess if these conditions are met in the case of investments for local
abattoir facilities in the Western Isles of Scotland and should notify to the Commission if state aid in the
sense of Article 87 paragraph 1 of the EC Treaty is concerned.

(1) OJ C 232, 12.8.2000.
(2) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.

(2003/C 155 E/194)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3629/02

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(16 December 2002)

Subject: Implementation of Community health and safety legislation in Greece

In relation to the investigation of complaint 00/4404 SG (2000) and the most recent question concerning
that complaint (E-2773/02) (1), the Commission has shown real interest and organised meetings in Greece
to collect more information. At the meeting between the Commission representative and the complainant,
the latter presented information providing evidence of the complaints relating both to the undertaking
where he works (a written admission by the undertaking’s departments that nothing was done in relation
to workers’ health at work during the period under consideration) and the annual report of the Greek
inspection authorities (report of the activities of SEPE 2001).

Since the above information provides incriminating evidence with regard to the application of Community
legislation on the health and safety of workers, such as the total failure of SEPE to deal with occupational
illness, inadequate processing and recording of occupational accidents and a failure to record employers’
liability:

1. What are the initial conclusions from the investigation and the complaints and information which the
Commission has received, including the revealing details provided by the General Confederation of
Greek Workers?

2. On the basis of Articles 140, 211 and 226 of the Treaty, will the Commission formulate an opinion or
recommendation regarding the implementation of Community legislation on the health and safety of
workers in Greece?

(1) OJ C 52 E, 6.3.2003, p. 215.

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(6 February 2003)

1.
The Honourable Member refers to complaint 2000/4404 and to his most recent question concerning
this matter (Written Question E-2773/02); in this connection, the Commission would refer him to its
answer to that question. As the Honourable Member notes, the Commission got in touch firstly with the
complainant and then with the Greek authorities with a view to clarifying the matter. At the meeting with
the complainant on 5 November 2002 in Athens, the Commission representative was given a large dossier
in Greek by the complainant. A meeting with the Greek authorities was held on the same day. As part of
its investigation of complaint 2000/4404, the Commission is currently examining the dossier from the
complainant and will take appropriate measures in the light of the findings of this examination, and on the
basis of its examination of information obtained from the Greek authorities.