WRITTEN QUESTION E-1528/03 by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Creation of a Joint Inspection Structure (JIS) and proposal to set up the Community Fisheries Control Agency in Galicia.
Date: 2003-05-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU office or agency, Galicia, common fisheries policy, conflict of powers, conservation of fish stocks, fishing controls

6.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 58 E/75

The Brandenburg Regional Environment Office takes the view that this constitutes maintenance work
(for urgent flood-protection reasons), even though there was no acute threat on these rivers during the
floods of August 2002 or during those of January 2003. The extensive clearance of trees and bushes in
these FFH areas is having a considerable impact on protected habitats and animal species.

Can the Commission say:

(cid:1) whether it has already been informed of this work?

(cid:1) whether it is prepared to verify if this clearing operation is simply renovation or maintenance work

(as claimed by the Brandenburg Regional Environment Office)?

(cid:1) whether it is prepared to investigate (perhaps on the spot) the possibility that the work may be in

breach of EU directives (FFH Directive)?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(19 June 2003)

The Commission has not been informed of the developments described by the Honourable Member. It will
initiate an investigation as to whether the requirements of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992
on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (1) have been respected in this case.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2004/C 58 E/092)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1528/03

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(6 May 2003)

Subject: Creation of a Joint Inspection Structure (JIS) and proposal to set up the Community Fisheries

Control Agency in Galicia

On 21 March this year the Commission published a Communication to the Council and the European
Parliament ‘Towards uniform and effective implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy’ in which it
included a proposal to introduce a Community system to step up inspection and surveillance in the sphere
of fisheries (1). According to some media sources this proposal has caused a conflict of competence
between the Commission and the Member States, since a number of the latter consider that the proposal
encroaches on national competences. What is the current state of play as far as this proposal is concerned?

The Communication suggests setting up a Community Fisheries Control Agency (CFCA) and defines its
functions and tasks. What conditions should a European city meet in order to qualify as the location for
this agency?

Does the Commission not consider that, although the Member States are responsible for deciding on the
location of the Community Fisheries Control Agency,
it should propose that it be set up in a region
particularly important for the fisheries sector?

In this case, Galicia fulfils all the conditions, in view of its strategy position on the Atlantic coast, the fact
that it is a European fisheries power and that a large proportion of international sea traffic passes along its
coastline, and bearing in mind the economic consequences of the serious accident caused by the ‘Prestige’
for the region’s fisheries sector.

Is the Commission considering the possibility of proposing Galicia as the location of the Community
Fisheries Control Agency?

(1) COM(2003) 130 final.

C 58 E/76

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.3.2004

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(4 June 2003)

The possibility of setting up a Community Joint Inspection Structure (JIS) to co-ordinate national and
Community inspection policies and activities and to pool the means and resources for control purposes
was one of the options identified in the Green Paper on ‘The Future of the Common Fisheries Policy
(CFP)’ (1) which was retained in the Communication from the Commission on the reform of the CFP
(‘roadmap’) (2). The Communication to the Council and the Parliament ‘Towards uniform and effective
implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy’ (3) follow up these initiatives.

The last Communication setting out the concept of a JIS will be discussed thoroughly in the Council and
the Parliament. A proposal of the Commission on the setting up of the JIS will be transmitted to the
Council and the Parliament by 2004 after an extended impact study is finalised. In this context, the
Commission could also propose to the Council the seat of this Agency.

(1) COM(2001) 135 final.
(2) COM(2002) 181 final.
(3) COM(2003) 130 final.

(2004/C 58 E/093)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1529/03

by Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(29 April 2003)

Subject: Granting of loans by the European Investment Bank (EIB) to Greece and Turkey

On 2 April 2003 the EIB decided to grant EUR 350 million to Turkey to support the private sector and
for the reconstruction of the areas hit by the 1999 earthquake.

Does the Commission have any information from the EIB (tables or studies) regarding which specific
projects the Turkish administration will fund with these loans? Is there an evaluation of the use made of
the first tranche of EUR 150 million in loans to Turkey, granted for the same purpose?

In 1999 Greece was granted a loan of EUR 300 million for the same purpose. Does the Commission have
details on the use made of these loans and the take-up rate? The first envelope which the EIB approved
made provision for the granting of EUR 900 million. What reasons can the Commission give for the delay
in continuing with the granting of these loans, and what plans are there for payment of the remaining
amount?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(21 May 2003)

In response to the August 1999 earthquake which devastated the Eastern Maramara region of Turkey, at
the request of the Council, a composite Loan Facility of EUR 600 million was approved by the European
Investment Bank’s (EIB) Board of Governors in January 2000, known as the ‘TERRA’ Mandate (the Turkey
Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Assistance Mandate). This Mandate is covered by a
Community Guarantee (1).

The EUR 150 million (2)
loan of
EUR 450 million (for Infrastructure and Urban Reconstruction), under what is termed the ‘TERRA 1’. The
first two loan tranches amounting to EUR 300 million were signed in 2000.

loan signed on 2 April 2003 is the third tranche of a total