WRITTEN QUESTION E-0687/03 by Joan Vallvé (ELDR)and Carles-Alfred Gasòliba i Böhm (ELDR) to the Commission. Measures to safeguard EU-grown walnuts.
Date: 2003-03-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Spain, Türkiye, association agreement (EU), common commercial policy, import (EU), nut, protective clause

C 65 E/42

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

13.3.2004

The ERDF intervenes in support of economic development programmes in the areas eligible under
Objectives 1 and 2 of the Structural Funds as well as under the Community Initiatives URBAN and
Interreg.

With the exception of major projects, the selection of individual projects is the responsibility of the
authorities in the Member States once the broad strategic objectives of the programmes have been agreed
by the Commission. The projects selected by the authorities must, however, conform with Community law
in all respects, including that relating to the environment.

Major projects, as well as projects supported by the Cohesion Fund, are subject to individual approval by
the Commission. The environmental impact of such projects must be assessed.

The social and economic impact of the current generation of programmes will be assessed in the course of
2003 in the framework of the mid-term evaluation of the programmes, the results of which will provide
the Member States with an opportunity to adjust their development strategy as appropriate.

An ex-post evaluation of the programmes is also foreseen by the regulation once the programmes have
come to an end. This will provide a more definitive assessment of their impact on the eligible regions in
social and economic terms.

(2004/C 65 E/041)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0687/03

by Joan Vallvé (ELDR)
and Carles-Alfred Gasòliba i Böhm (ELDR) to the Commission

Subject: Measures to safeguard EU-grown walnuts

(7 March 2003)

Catalan annual whole walnut production averages between 20 000 and 25 000 tonnes, which, if compared
with the annual 600 000 tonnes produced in Turkey, is a relatively small figure.

The EU Association Agreement signed with Turkey in 1998 committed Turkey to refraining from putting
the total quantity of walnuts available after each harvest on the EU market forthwith. This guaranteed a
price of between ESP 500 and ESP 600 per kilogram of whole walnuts between 1998 and 2001.

The devaluation of the Turkish lira in 2001 induced Turkey not to hold back part of
production, but to increase exports. Increased exports to the EU have caused prices to fall.

its walnut

We are aware that the Spanish Government has requested the Commission to apply safeguard measures
for walnuts, as provided for by Article 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 (1) establishing the
common organisation of the market in fruit and vegetables. Various months have now elapsed.

Does the Commission intend to introduce safeguard measures for EU-produced walnuts, which are
suffering from extreme prejudice thanks to the increased imports of walnuts from Turkey?

When will these measures be introduced?

(1) OJ L 297, 21.11.1996, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(15 April 2003)

The examination and evaluation of the Spanish official request for implementation of safeguard measures
on hazelnuts originating in Turkey, as well as the analysis of the supporting statistical dossier, are in
progress.

13.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 65 E/43

Due to the complexity of the dossier and the need to respect the obligations that stem from the
international agreements signed by the Union (Article 37,4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 of
28 October 1996 on the common organisation of the market in fruit and vegetables), the Commission has
carried out consultations with the Turkish authorities, and a series of contacts with different Community
operators in the hazelnut sector.

On the basis of the information provided until now by the Spanish authorities, the statistical data currently
available, and taking into account the results of the consultations previously mentioned, the Commission
has elaborated an exhaustive file on the subject. Nevertheless, it cannot be excluded that, following the
examination of this file, it may be deemed necessary to request additional information from the Spanish
authorities.

Following the completion of this assessment, the Commission will decide whether measures need to be
taken on the matter at issue to avoid the objectives of Article 33 of the EC Treaty being put at risk.

(2004/C 65 E/042)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0726/03

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(11 March 2003)

Subject:

‘Prestige’ Solidarity Fund

On 21 November 2002, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the ‘Prestige’ disaster off the
coast of Galicia. Paragraph 8 reads:

Calls for fisheries workers and other local and regional businesses affected by the disaster to be fully
and swiftly compensated for the economic losses they will suffer; calls, further, for assistance to be
provided under other appropriate instruments (Solidarity Fund, Structural Funds) with a view to
assisting the people and economic sectors affected by the oil pollution and restoring the environment
of the regions concerned.

On 19 December 2002 the European Parliament adopted a resolution on safety at sea and measures to
alleviate the effects of the ‘Prestige’ disaster. Paragraph 12 reads:

Calls for the immediate adoption of measures to alleviate the damage occasioned to those affected,
through the use of the Solidarity Fund.

What sums from the Solidarity Fund have been allocated to alleviating the effects of the ‘Prestige’ disaster?

What percentage of the total estimated damage and prejudice does this sum represent?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(9 April 2003)

In January 2003, the Commission received an application from the Spanish authorities to mobilise the
European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) with respect to the disaster resulting from the ‘Prestige’ tanker
accident and subsequent oil spill affecting the Galician coast.

The Commission has examined the request on the basis of
the requirements imposed by Council
Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund (1),
hereafter the EUSF-Regulation. The Commission has established that the disaster, based on the information
provided by the Spanish authorities, does not qualify as a ‘major disaster’ within the meaning of the
Regulation, because the damage caused does not meet the threshold of EUR 3 billion or 0,6 % of gross
national income (GNI).

The EUSF-Regulation, however, provides that under exceptional circumstances a region could benefit from
assistance from the Fund, where that region has been affected by an extraordinary disaster affecting the
major part of the population with serious and lasting repercussions on living conditions and the economic
stability of the region. The EUSF may intervene only exceptionally if it is demonstrated that the criteria of
Article 2(2) of the EUSF-Regulation are complied with, and furthermore,
it obliges the Commission to
examine with utmost rigour any requests, which are submitted under this subparagraph.