WRITTEN QUESTION P-3922/02 by Anna Terrón i Cusí (PSE) to the Commission. Applicability of the European Union Solidarity Fund for tackling disasters.
Date: 2003-01-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financial instrument, aid to disaster victims, emergency aid, financial aid, natural disaster, suspension of aid, terms for aid

C 161 E/164

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

10.7.2003

The information and publicity measures for the Calabria 2000-2006 OP are annexed to the programme
complement. The information provided by the Region on implementation of the information and publicity
plan were examined by the monitoring committee for the OP when it met on 18 January 2002. On that
occasion the trade union mentioned by the Honourable Member did not enter any reservation.

Nonetheless, to check that the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 1159/2000 are being fully respected by
the Region,
the Commission has asked the programme managing authority to discuss progress in
implementing the communication action plan at the monitoring committee’s first meeting in 2003.

At its second 2003 meeting the monitoring committee will examine the annual execution report for 2002,
which should contain a chapter on information and publicity action. This report is due to reach the
Commission before 30 June 2003.

(1) Commission Regulation (EC) No 1159/2000 of 30 May 2000 on information and publicity measures to be carried

out by the Member States concerning assistance from the Structural Funds, OJ L 130, 31.5.2000.

(2003/C 161 E/169)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3922/02

by Anna Terrón i Cusí (PSE) to the Commission

(9 January 2003)

Subject: Applicability of the European Union Solidarity Fund for tackling disasters

Under the terms of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 7 November 2002 the creation of a European
Union Solidarity Fund was recently approved (Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November
2002 (1)), in order to enable the Community to respond rapidly, efficiently and flexibly to emergency
situations. According to the third paragraph of Article 2(2) of the Regulation, 7,5 % of the annual amount
available to the Fund may be allocated to a region affected by an extraordinary disaster, mainly a natural
one, affecting the major part of its population, with serious and lasting repercussions on living conditions
and the economic stability of the region.

Apart from compliance with the terms of the Regulation and provided that the budgetary authority has
adopted the relevant decision, are there any other conditions determining whether the envisaged funding
may be used to assist those affected and to rehabilitate an area hit by a disaster?

Might the creation of a committee of inquiry (cid:1) set up in accordance with Rule 151 of the European
Parliament’s Rules of Procedure (cid:1) to investigate a disaster in any way hinder the implementation of
assistance once Parliament and the Council have formally approved the use of the Solidarity Fund?

(1) OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p. 3.

Answer given by Mr Barnier au nom de la Commission

(5 February 2003)

The principal aim of the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) is to give immediate financial assistance
in the event of a major disaster to help people, regions and countries concerned to return to living
conditions that are as normal as possible.

The EUSF Regulation (1) sets out the modalities for the operation of the Solidarity Fund, which must be
respected by the Commission in its implementation.

10.7.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 161 E/165

In relation to the involvement of the Parliament regarding the EUSF, the Commission will present before
1 July 2003 to the Parliament and to the Council a report on the activities of the Solidarity Fund in the
previous year. This report shall in particular contain information relating to Articles 3, 4 and 8.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of the 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity

Fund.

(2003/C 161 E/170)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3925/02

by Cristina Gutiérrez-Cortines (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(9 January 2003)

Subject: Competition

The Community lemon-producing sector is going through a difficult period, mainly because of the
excessive concessions granted by the EU to third-country produce. Furthermore, the latest reform of the
common organisation of the market in fruit and vegetables has had a limited impact on the organisational
capacity of lemon producers in countries such as Spain, where only 20 % of production is channelled
through organisations.

The EU is about to amend Directive 95/2/EC (1) on food additives other than colours and sweeteners, and
in one of the initial drafts of the amended version the Commission proposes replacing the citric acid
obtained by synthesis (E330) by lemon juice, which has much healthier nutritional properties. This would
provide an outlet for a large proportion of the lemon surplus. Unfortunately, the Commission has modified
its original draft, reinstating the use of the artificial additive, used by the food and drink industry as an
acidity regulator.

Does the Commission not consider that
the amendment of Directive 95/2/EC provides a golden
opportunity for a partial solution to these problems, whilst offering the consumer a healthier alternative
at a time when the EU is increasingly often opting for improvements in the quality and safety of its
products? Finally, does the Commission intend to propose measures to improve the operation of the
common organisation of the market as part of a reform of the sector in the near future?

(1) OJ L 61, 18.3.1995, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(31 January 2003)

The use of citric acid (E 330) in foodstuffs, is regulated by the Parliament and Council Directive No 95/2/
EC of 20 February 1995 on food additives other than colours and sweeteners. The Scientific Committee on
Food has evaluated the safety of citric acid concluding that citric acid can be used safely in foodstuffs.
Therefore, there is no safety reason why citric acid could not be used in foodstuffs. It should be noted that
the use of food additives in food production is voluntary and that consumers are informed of the use
through labelling. Should the food manufacturers wish they may replace citric acid by lemon juice.
However, until now, many European food producers prefer to use citric acid as it offers technological
advantages over the use of lemon juice.

Regarding the common organisation of the market for fruit and vegetables, the Commission intends to
propose improvements of the current rules during the second quarter of 2003, as requested by the
Parliament in its Resolution of 5 July 2001 and by the conclusions of the Spanish Presidency in June
2002. One of the main issues the Commission intends to raise in its proposals concerns inter alia ways to
improve the degree of organisation and of concentration of supply in the fruit and vegetables sector,
including lemons.