WRITTEN QUESTION E-2765/03 by Raffaele Lombardo (PPE-DE)and Francesco Musotto (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Amending Regulation (EC) No 1623/2000 for the use of concentrated musts and rectified concentrated musts.
Date: 2003-09-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Sicily, Structural Funds, aid system, common agricultural policy, common organisation of markets, economic and social cohesion, grape, operational programme, viticulture

C 78 E/162

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

The Commission is still waiting for a reply from the Spanish authorities to this letter.

This file will also be discussed with the Spanish authorities during a bilateral meeting in October 2003 to
review certain complaints and infringements by Spain in the field of the environment.

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2004/C 78 E/0166)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2755/03

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(15 September 2003)

Subject: Requirement for nationality to be listed on driving licences

A member of my constituency in the south-west of England has just received his new driving licence
which states his place of birth, Ireland. He is concerned about this, having suffered discrimination because
of his nationality throughout life, particularly in the 1970s when many people from Ireland living in
England were victims of prejudice both at work and in many other aspects of their daily lives.

As a result of this, although proud of his Irish heritage, he would rather be identified as a citizen of the EU
on his licence, to avoid further possible discrimination. What provisions does the Commission have to
protect citizens of the EU who have suffered in this way? Are there any plans to amend the regulations
concerning driving licences?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(27 October 2003)

Council Directive 91/439/EEC of 29 July 1991, on driving licences (1) foresees that the date and place of
birth of the holder are mentioned on the driving licence. These entries are necessary in order to allow a
precise identification of the holder by the public authorities, notably for enforcement purposes. The
Commission does not intend to propose a modification of this provision.

(1) OJ L 237, 24.8.1991.

(2004/C 78 E/0167)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2765/03

by Raffaele Lombardo (PPE-DE)
and Francesco Musotto (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 September 2003)

Subject: Amending Regulation (EC) No 1623/2000 for the use of concentrated musts and rectified

concentrated musts

The rationale for the European Union’s common agricultural policy (CAP) lies in developing the rural
economy, sustaining agricultural production, increasing crop diversification and improving the standard
and high quality of food and security of supply.

As is clear from the Agenda 2000 programme which the Berlin European Council adopted in December
1999, any reform of the CAP must pursue the aims of environmental sustainability, strengthening the
economy of rural areas and consolidating the cultural heritage and social justice.

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/163

The CAP is evolving towards a differentiation in legislative discipline in the light of the clear differences in
social and economic development between the Union’s regions and the impending enlargement towards
the countries of central and eastern Europe.

At its meeting of 8 July 2003 the Wine Management Committee looked into the possibility of amending
Regulation (EC) No 1623/2000 (1) concerning the amount of aid to be granted for the use of concentrated
musts (CMs) and rectified concentrated musts (RCMs).

Would the Commission therefore say

(cid:1) what measures have been taken to ensure that levels of aid for the use of CMs and RCMs vary

according to the geographical, economic and social features of each European region?

(cid:1) what provisions will be adopted, including those under Article 158 of the EC Treaty, specifically to
support Sicilian wine production, which is facing additional costs because of the insular nature of its
region?

(1) OJ L 194, 31.7.2000, p. 45.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(13 October 2003)

The first of the Honourable Members’ questions relates to the common organisation of the wine market
under which aid is granted on concentrated grape must used to increase the alcoholic strength of wine. In
fact since the aid was introduced in 1982 it has been differentiated by the origin of the must. In general
the aid rates for musts of wine-growing zone CIII, which includes Sicily, are higher than those for must
originating in the other zones. There is a very restricted waiver for certain musts from zones other than
C III produced under particular conditions.

Nonetheless, given the general reorientation of the common agricultural policy to which the Honourable
Members allude that has occurred since the measure was introduced, the Commission is planning a
thorough assessment of all features of this aid.

The Honourable Members’ second question relates to the economic and social cohesion policy, under
which the wine sector can be aided from the Community Structural Funds, in this case the European
Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund, Guarantee Section. For the period 2000-2006 the sector can
be aided through the Sicilia Regional Operational Programme. The relevant measures covered those
covering farm-level
investments (4.06) processing and marketing of agricultural products (4.09) and
marketing of high quality agricultural products (4.13).

Decisions on future measures will be taken in partnership with the Commission, with the monitoring
committee for the regional operational programme closely involved.

(2004/C 78 E/0168)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2769/03

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(16 September 2003)

Subject: Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor examinations

1.
Can the Commission confirm that a Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (DGSA) in the UK is currently
only required to be qualified and examined on ADR/RID (transportation of dangerous goods by road/rail),
and not the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, even if the DGSA is advising on the
transportation of dangerous goods going by sea?