WRITTEN QUESTION E-2010/03 by Lissy Gröner (PSE) to the Commission. EU funds disbursed by Catholic organisations in the period 1997-2002.
Date: 2003-06-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Catholicism, EU financing, humanitarian aid, non-governmental organisation

C 33 E/198

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2004

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(7 July 2003)

Belgium may obtain a financial contribution from the Community up to 50 % of the expenditure for
emergency measures as detailed in Article 3 (1) of Council Decision 90/424/EEC of 26 June 1990 (1), on
expenditure in the veterinary field that are provisions to eradicate and control the epidemics.

The Community guidelines for State aid in the agriculture sector (2) apply to all State aids granted in
connection with activities related to the production, processing and marketing of Annex I products. State
aid measures relating to outbreaks of animal diseases are to be assessed under the provisions of section 11
of these guidelines.

While section 11 allows aids to compensate for damage to agricultural production or the means of
agricultural production, it does not allow support to compensate processors. Where processors are in
financial difficulties, however, rescue and restructuring aid may be possible provided that the relevant
provisions of the Community guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty (3)
are complied with.

Moreover, the Commission has already emphasised insurance policies as a mean to deal with indirect
losses caused by large outbreaks of animal diseases.

(1) OJ L 224, 18.8.1990.
(2) OJ C 232, 12.8.2000.
(3) OJ C 288, 9.10.1999.

(2004/C 33 E/201)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2010/03

by Lissy Gröner (PSE) to the Commission

(17 June 2003)

Subject: EU funds disbursed by Catholic organisations in the period 1997-2002

Solidarity is one of the fundamental values of the EU. The European Union finances a significant
proportion of the humanitarian assistance and development aid provided throughout the world. Non-
governmental organisations, including Catholic organisations, operate on the front line in areas of the
world which require aid, and they make a praiseworthy contribution to the overall effort.

1. What amounts did the following organisations, which are run by the Catholic Church, receive from
the EU in the period 1997-2002:

(a)

the Caritas Europa network

(b)

the more than 50 member organisations of the Caritas Europa network

(c)

the CIDSE network (International Cooperation for Development and Solidarity)

(d)

the 14 member organisations of CIDSE

(e)

the International Catholic Child Bureau (BICE)

(f)

the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC)

(g)

the European Association for Catholic Adult Education (FEECA)?

2. What projects were financed by means of EU funds inside and outside the EU’s borders?

3.

From which programmes were funds granted for the individual projects?

6.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 33 E/199

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(30 July 2003)

A list of projects cofinanced with non-governmental organisations belonging to these networks during the
period 1997-2000 under budget heading B7-6000 will be sent direct to the Honourable Member and
Parliament’s secretariat.

A detailed list of humanitarian projects financed by ECHO and carried out by NGOs for victims of natural
or manmade disasters in third countries will also be sent to the Honourable Member and Parliament’s
secretariat. Projects have been financed primarily under headings B7-210 (humanitarian aid) and B7-219
(disaster preparedness). Funding was also provided until 1999 under headings B7-214, B7-215, B7-217
and B7-219 and the 8th European Development Fund.

(2004/C 33 E/202)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2013/03

by Robert Goebbels (PSE) to the Commission

(17 June 2003)

Subject: Regulation on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural

products and foodstuffs

The European Court of Justice recently handed down what is, in my view, a questionable ruling that
‘maintaining the quality and reputation of’Grana Padano‘cheese and’Parma ham‘justifies the rule that the
product must be grated or sliced and packaged in the region of production’.

The extension of the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin to the packaging of
products of this type is all the more debatable in that the cheeses and hams to be protected are frequently
made from milk or pork not produced in the region but imported from abroad.

Does not the Commission take the view that Council Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 535/97 (1) of
17 March 1997 amending Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 (2)) on the protection of geographical indications
and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs needs to be adjusted so as to eliminate
the abusive advantages introduced by the new case-law of the Court which, in the final analysis, constitutes
an obstacle to the single market?

(1) OJ L 83, 25.3.1997, p. 3.
(2) OJ L 208, 24.7.1992, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(7 August 2003)

The Commission considers that the Court of Justice’s judgments of 20 May 2003 in cases C-108/01 and
C-469/00 relating to the protected designations of origin Parma ham and Grana Padano respectively
confirm the scope of the protection it had itself extended to these designations.

The Commission shares the Court’s view that specification requirements that certain operations such as
grating, slicing and packaging be carried out in the geographical production zone are in fact necessary for
protection of the PDO in question.

It is true that such requirements are measures of equivalent effect to a quantitative restriction, prohibited
under the principle of free circulation of goods laid down in the EC Treaty. But the PDOs as industrial and
commercial property rights constitute one of the exceptions provided for in the Treaty and need to be
protected against misuse by third parties wishing to profit from the reputation they and the associated
trade marks have acquired.