WRITTEN QUESTION P-2271/03 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Progress in the Zakynthos city drainage project.
Date: 2003-07-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, Greece, road services department, wastewater, water treatment, works contract

C 33 E/244

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2004

3.

4.

Is consideration being given to suspending marketing approval for Imidacloprid?

Is the Commission supporting investigations into the risks involved in using Imidacloprid?

Is Bayer exerting pressure with a view to ensuring that

5.
marketing approval?

Imidacloprid continues to enjoy full

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(14 August 2003)

The Commission would like to refer the Honourable Member to the answer given to Written Question
P-1804/02 by Mr Souchet (1).

The Commission has received information about the decline of bee populations in some Member States.
Currently, there is no scientific evidence that the cause of this decline is due to one single factor such as
the use of pesticides.

Moreover the Commission would like to emphasize that plant protection products have to be labelled to
reflect their intrinsic hazards. This is done on the basis of the results of standard tests done under extreme
exposure conditions. The information put on the label has to be read however in relation to the
instructions for use. Member States cannot authorise a plant protection product if, when used according to
these instructions, it has an unacceptable impact on non-target organisms, such as honeybees.

In the framework of the review of existing active substances Bayer, as the notifier for Imidacloprid, will
have to submit at the latest on 30 November 2003 a complete dossier to the rapporteur Member State
Germany. The Commission is also aware of specific studies that are ongoing in France. A plant protection
product can only be included in the positive list of Council Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 July 1991
concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market (2) if a notifier demonstrates that the
provisions of its Article 5 are satisfied. The Commission does not contribute financially to studies necessary
to demonstrate the acceptability of Imidacloprid.

(1) OJ C 309 E, 12.12.2002.
(2) OJ L 230, 19.8.1991.

(2004/C 33 E/250)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2271/03

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Progress in the Zakynthos city drainage project

(7 July 2003)

A drainage project in Zakynthos city has been financed by the Cohesion Fund. An amending decision set a
date of 30 December 2000 for the completion of work. In view of the enormous delays, the Commission
has stopped payments on the project. According to the information I have, the Ministry of Economic
Affairs has announced an investigation into the matter.

Could the Commission say what proportion of the project has already been completed, what payments
have been made, whether it has received the findings of the investigation by the Ministry of Economic
Affairs and what further action it intends to take in relation to this project?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(31 July 2003)

On 30 October 2001 the paying authority sent the Commission an intermediate payment application for
this project. Pending receipt of additional information it still awaits a decision.

6.2.2004

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 33 E/245

On 19 December 2001 the Commission informed the Greek authorities that payments for the project
would be blocked since it did not appear possible to terminate it within the time limit set under the
amending decision (31 December 2001). By 31 October 2001 only 41 % of the work had been completed.

On 29 November 2002 the Commission asked the Greek authorities for detailed information on the state
of advance of the project on two fronts: physical realisation and financial management.

On 23 December 2002 the Greek authorities informed the Commission that the paying authority had
been asked to check the project on the spot and that on receiving the report they would transmit
particulars of the state of advance and prospects for completion.

These have not yet been received.

(2004/C 33 E/251)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2275/03

by Georges Berthu (NI) to the Commission

(7 July 2003)

Subject: Agriculture (cid:1) drought and set-aside land

Some parts of France are currently suffering from serious drought, and grass for use as cattle fodder is
becoming scarce. Would it be possible in such cases for derogations to be granted so that set-aside land
might be used for the growing of animal fodder crops, with a view not only to coping with the current
crisis but also to combating the droughts which are likely to occur in the future?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(29 July 2003)

The Commission is aware of the fact that the drought became worse in several regions of the Community
in June 2003 and, following a favourable opinion of the Management Committee for Cereals delivered on
3 July 2003, has decided to authorise the use of set-aside land for fodder in the regions concerned in
Germany, France, Italy and Austria in the 2003/04 marketing year. This measure applies from 4 July
2003.

The use of set-aside land for animal feed must remain an exceptional measure to be adopted only where
specific regional circumstances so require.

(2004/C 33 E/252)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2287/03

by Herbert Bösch (PSE) to the Commission

(7 July 2003)

Subject: VAT rates for soy products

Soy products are mainly used as substitutes for milk products of animal origin (often in case of lactose
intolerance or milk protein allergy) since they are able to provide an equivalent nutritional value to dairy
products, which leads to the fact that soy and dairy products are directly competing on the market.

Whereas all Member States apply reduced VAT rates on dairy products, several Member States apply the
standard VAT rate (cid:1) which is considerably higher (cid:1) on soy products (e.g. Spain and Austria).