WRITTEN QUESTION E-0676/03 by Marco Cappato (NI) to the Council. Fumigation in certain coffee-growing areas of Colombia.
Date: 2003-03-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Colombia, EU relations, alternative agricultural production, coffee, development plan, environmental cooperation, environmental policy, fire protection

C 51 E/38

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

26.2.2004

Can the Council therefore say why the draft CAP reform does not set aside a specific chapter devoted

1.
to young farmers?

2. Whether it is possible to incorporate in the draft reform an amendment to update Article 8 of
Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999, proposing at least a 100 % increase in the setting-up aid, raising it to
EUR 50 000?

3. Whether it is possible to incorporate in the draft reform an amendment to increase aid as a
percentage of the volume of investment from 45 % and 55 % to 65 % and 75 % respectively for young
farmers in lowland and mountain areas?

4. Whether it is possible to incorporate in the draft reform an amendment to suspend the system of
State aids as regards direct aid to young farmers from the Member States and regional authorities?

(1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999, p. 80.

Reply

(2 October 2003)

The Council is aware of the importance of young farmers to the Community’s agriculture. Following the
debate on the Commission proposals, the political agreement on the CAP reform package reached by the
Council on 26 June 2003 provides, in Regulation (EC) No 1257/99 on support for rural development
from the EAGGF, for the introduction of special measures for young farmers, in particular, greater support
for investment purposes and increased aid to help them get started using advisory services related to their
activities. It has also been agreed that the text of the regulation should specifically state that measures
introduced for young farmers need to be more workable.

(2004/C 51 E/038)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0676/03

by Marco Cappato (NI) to the Council

(7 March 2003)

Subject: Fumigation in certain coffee-growing areas of Colombia

I was visiting Colombia last week together with the Secretary of

the International Anti-
Whilst
Prohibitionist League, Marco Perduca, a number of reports were received about a plan for the imminent
fumigation of the coffee-growing areas of Colombia, in the context of a disastrous and indiscriminate
campaign of chemical fumigation, from a very high altitude, of vast areas of the country, designed to
eradicate coca leaf production and to be carried out in agreement with the US Administration.

In view of the devastating impact of this practice on human health, the environment and socio-economic
equilibrium, and the fact that the Commission is carrying out alternative development programmes in
some of these areas, has the Council taken steps to inform the Colombian authorities of its disapproval
and the need to suspend immediately the alternative development programmes in those areas as soon as
the operation is launched?

How does the Council intend to try and ensure that the fumigation is not carried out and officially request
that the operation be suspended all over Colombia?

26.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 51 E/39

Reply

(29 September 2003)

1. Whilst it is for the Government of Colombia to decide which concrete measures it considers
appropriate in the fight against illicit drugs and narcoterrorism, the EU has maintained close contacts with
Colombia, at all levels, with a view to ensuring that areas with EU-supported programs for alternative
production are not fumigated.

To this end, EU, Colombia and the USA have agreed last year to reinforce their respective

2.
consultations on the spot as well as among capitals.

So far, these efforts seem to be successful, the Peace Laboratory in the Magdalena Medio region has not
reported incidents.

In the light of this encouraging experience the EU is considering further projects of this kind, as

3.
support for the Peace process.

(2004/C 51 E/039)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0698/03

by Giovanni Procacci (ELDR) to the Commission

(10 March 2003)

Subject: Possible breach of Community law by the Republic of Italy

In reporting a possible breach of current Community law by the Republic of Italy to the Secretary-General
of the European Commission and the Directorates-General for Competition and the Internal Market on
3 February 2003, LAPET (the Italian association of independent tax advisers) has drawn attention to a
blatant violation of current Community law arising from legislative decree No 241 of 9 July 1997, and in
particular Article 36 thereof.

This decree gives advantages to those taxpayers whose accounts are subject to thorough scrutiny by certain
professionals who, because they satisfy the requirements of the above law, may issue certified approval for
tax purposes. The professionals concerned not only have to be auditors who have been registered with the
professional association of chartered accountants, book-keepers, commercial experts and labour advisers
for at least five years, but must also have been responsible for keeping the taxpayers’ accounts during the
tax period in question.

Can the Commission say:

1. What the current position is in this matter?

2. What measures it has taken or intends to take?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2003)

The Commission has received a letter concerning the facts mentioned by the Honourable Member. This
has been registered as a complaint by the Commission. It is now launching its investigation and cannot, at
this stage, be in a position to foresee the results of such an investigation.

The Honourable Member will be informed of the outcome of the investigation.