WRITTEN QUESTION E-1301/03 by Emilia Müller (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Support for aquaculture under Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999.
Date: 2003-04-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EAGGF, EC Regulation, EU aid, aid system, aquaculture, environmental law, environmental protection, rural development, stagnant water, sustainable development

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framework for electronic communications networks and services (Framework Directive) (3). The deadline
for transposition of the Authorisation Directive is 24 July 2003. Italy is currently drafting the relevant
legislation. The Commission will naturally assess the compliance of the relevant national legislation with
the new Community regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services once this
has been notified.

(1) Council Directive 90/387/EEC of 28 June 1990 on the establishment of the internal market for telecommunications

services through the implementation of open network provision, OJ L 192, 24.7.1990.

(2) Directive 97/51/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 6 October 1997 amending Council Directives 90/387/
EEC and 92/44/EEC for the purpose of adaptation to a competitive environment in telecommunications, OJ L 295,
29.10.1997.

(3) OJ L 108, 24.4.2002.

(2004/C 58 E/074)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1301/03

by Emilia Müller (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 April 2003)

Subject: Support for aquaculture under Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999

In its communication COM(2002) 511 (cid:1) A strategy for the sustainable development of European
aquaculture (cid:1) the Commission points out that certain environmental aspects of ponds or other water
bodies in use for aquaculture are eligible for EU support under Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 (1) (p. 20).
Point 4.8 provides a list of environmental aspects eligible for support which includes, inter alia, action to
‘recognise and strengthen the positive impact of extensive culture and re-stocking’.

Can support be provided under this scheme for extensively farmed ponds even where they are not

1.
economically viable?

2. What precise measures does the Commission consider must be taken for such aquaculture to be
eligible for support?

3. What maximum rates would be set for such support?

4. What type of funding would be involved?

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

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(3 June 2003)

While support for the aquaculture sector per se is not eligible for support under Council Regulation (EC)
No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural
Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF),
the Honourable Member correctly indicates that certain
environmental aspects of ponds or other water bodies in use for aquaculture can be supported. Such
support falls in particular within Chapter VI of this Regulation (agri-environment). The provisions on
environmental objectives and support fixed in this Chapter can equally apply to ponds which might be
used for aquaculture, provided the beneficiary is a farmer.

With regard to the individual questions of the Honourable Member, the following can be stated:

1.

For agri-environment
the economic viability is not an eligibility criterion. General criterion for
granting aid under the above-mentioned Chapter VI is benefits for the environment. If these benefits
are demonstrated, the efforts of a potential beneficiary to achieve them resulting in income foregone
and cost incurred can be compensated; where necessary, an incentive up to 20 % of these losses can
be paid.

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2. These measures are summarised under article 22, 2nd alinea of Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999,

in particular the 3rd and 4th indent thereof.

3. The maximum aid rate co-financible amounts to EUR 450 per hectare and year. The Community

contribution is fixed at 50 % (in Objective 1 (cid:1) areas: 75 %) of the aid rate up to this ceiling.

4. The source of

the Community co-financing is the EAGGF, Guarantee section. The necessary

co-financing by the Member States may come from national, regional or other public budgets.

(2004/C 58 E/075)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1304/03

by David Bowe (PSE) to the Commission

(7 April 2003)

Subject: Treatment of CFC-and HCFC-containing equipment

In regard to EC Regulation 2037/2000 (1) and more specifically the treatment of refrigerators and other
cooling appliances that contain CFCs and HCFCs, can the Commission explain what measures are being
taken to ensure that these appliances containing ozone depleting substances are being properly distributed
to licensed recycling and treatment plants? In what ways are Member States actively encouraging and
assisting in making certain that these appliances are treated properly? What steps are being taken by
candidate countries to prepare for the proper treatment of equipment containing CFCs and HCFCs?

(1) OJ L 244, 29.9.2000, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(8 May 2003)

Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000 of the Parliament and of the Council of 29 June 2000 on substances that
deplete the ozone layer requires Member States to undertake and report on the recovery, recycling,
reclamation and destruction of ozone depleting substances (ODS) controlled under the Regulation and to
define the minimum requirements for the personnel involved (1).

The responsibilities of the Commission are to determine compliance with the Regulation by examining the
progress made in each Member State. The Commission sent out official letters to Member States in July
2002 reminding them of their reporting obligations (2).

To date, all Member States except one have responded. Based on the evaluations undertaken by the
Commission, most Member States have now reported on: the safety and quality standards for equipment
that contains ODS; inspection procedures for installations containing ODS, record keeping and reporting
requirements; ODS recovery methods; mobile and fixed ODS destruction equipment; quantities of ODS
recovered, recycled, reclaimed and destroyed during 1999, 2000 and 2001; the minimum qualification
standards for technicians involved in ODS recovery, recycling, reclamation and destruction and efforts
undertaken to make the public and industry aware of the requirements of the Regulation that include
articles in the news media, workshops and information on official websites.

The Commission has identified four Member States that are not in compliance with the Regulation and has
launched infringement procedures for not reporting, or for insufficient reporting and implementation of
the Regulation.