WRITTEN QUESTION P-1596/03 by Regina Bastos (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Closure of Schuh-Union located in Ponte de Lima, Portugal.
Date: 2003-05-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, European Commission, Germany, Portugal, Romania, Türkiye, collective dismissal, exchange of information, footwear industry, transfer of businesses

C 242 E/232

Official Journal of the European Union

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9.10.2003

In all likelihood, the correct figures should be: (a) 790 750 kg; (b) 701 150 kg; (c) 110 kg; d) 2 803 kg, at a
level of aid ranging between a more credible EUR 0,40 and EUR 0,51 per kg of sugar exported.

If one were to make these corrections, total exports would be 727 810 kg for 1998, 793 553 kg for 1999,
1 012 800 kg for 2000 and 26 435,300 kg for 2001.

Under Regulation (EC) No 419/2002 (2), it should also be possible for the tabular data, extracted from the
CATS database, to be used for monitoring and forecasting purposes.

It is specified in the table that the units of measurement, weights or quantities and the amounts in euro are
provided by the Member States.

In the light of the above, could the Commission indicate:

(cid:1) whether the data supplied by the Member States are checked and who is responsible for doing this;

(cid:1) whether the quantities of beet and cane sugar and chemically pure sucrose in solid form exported
from Member States to the Vatican City State were subject to any monitoring, what form that this
took, and what forecasts were made in respect of these quantities;

(cid:1) whether it does not consider the level of imports to the minuscule Vatican City State to be too high,

or in other words that it can be assumed these products are sold in Italy?

(1) OJ C 137 E, 12.6.2003, p. 172.
(2) OJ L 64, 7.3.2002, p. 8.

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-1477/03, E-1478/03, E-1479/03 and E-1480/03
given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 May 2003)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.

(2003/C 242 E/272)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1596/03

by Regina Bastos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 May 2003)

Subject: Closure of ‘Schuh-Union’ located in Ponte de Lima, Portugal

The German shoe company Schuh-Union closed its factory in Ponte de Lima and more than 180 workers
lost their jobs. Management informed staff about the definitive closure by simply putting up a notice at the
entrance to the factory.

The company had drawn up a protocol guaranteeing that it would stay in Ponte de Lima for at least 20
years, but it closed down after only 12 years.

Management blamed the closure on a shortage of orders, but in actual fact the orders had been passed on
to other factories in Romania and Turkey, where labour is cheaper.

In May 2002 Schuh-Union already closed the factory at Maia (Portugal) in order to relocate to Romania,
depriving 460 workers of their jobs. At that time management claimed that the closure would enable the
factory at Ponte de Lima to maintain its full production capacity and retain all the staff.

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Official Journal of the European Union

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Nevertheless, in October 2002 Schuh-Union closed the cutting and stitching section of its Ponte de Lima
factory, which immediately made 172 workers redundant.

It should be noted that 97 % of the staff are women aged between 40 and 50, who will naturally find it
difficult to find other jobs, especially in a town where there are few job opportunities.

Can the Commission therefore say:

(cid:1) whether Schuh-Union has received any Community funding;

(cid:1) if so, how much it received, when, and what conditions were imposed on the company?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(4 June 2003)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.

(2003/C 242 E/273)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1611/03

by Jean-Louis Bernié (EDD) to the Commission

(7 May 2003)

Subject: Marketing of cereals

Apart from in France, the marketing of cereals in the European Union is not regulated; farmers can sell
their produce freely and can ensure that it is perfectly traceable, in contrast to the produce of giant silos.

In France, the marketing function is a monopoly held by the storage agencies licensed by the National
Cereals Trades Board (ONIC), and it is compulsory for all cereal trade to be channelled through them. The
approved collectors deduct
for the
operation of ONIC, which gives them financial support.

the parafiscal charges which are needed, amongst other things,

This situation means that producers and users of French cereals are penalised both financially and in
respect of their ability to trade freely. For example, a French cereals producer is not allowed to sell his
produce directly to a breeder.

The rules imposed by ONIC therefore appear to constitute a barrier to Community trade and freedom of
trade.

What does the Commission think of this typically French situation?

Does it have any suggestions for resolving it?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(2 June 2003)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.