WRITTEN QUESTION E-2820/03 by Geoffrey Van Orden (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Separate registration numbers for trailers.
Date: 2003-09-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Netherlands, United Kingdom, carrier, commercial vehicle, free movement of goods, free movement of persons, technical barriers to trade, vehicle registration

13.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 65 E/223

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(23 October 2003)

The Commission will make proposals for cohesion policy for the period after 2006 in the Third Cohesion
Report which is scheduled for publication before the end of this year. While it is too early to speculate on
the nature of these proposals, they will take account of the contributions to the debate on future cohesion
policy that the Commission launched in January 2001 with the publication of the Second Cohesion
Report. The Parliament has been fully associated with this debate. The Commission’s proposals will also
include those regarding the future of the Community Initiatives, taking into account their added value in
relation to the interventions supported under the mainstream regional development programmes.

(2004/C 65 E/237)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2818/03

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 September 2003)

Subject: Commitment and absorption of Cohesion Fund appropriations for Greece in 2003

Can the Commission provide information on the current situation as regards the commitment and
absorption of Cohesion Fund appropriations for Greece in 2003? Does the Commission consider the
situation to be satisfactory?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(21 October 2003)

The Commission can inform the Honourable Member that, as at 30 September 2003, commitments for
Greece in 2003 under the Cohesion Fund were EUR 167 million, to which a further EUR 29 million
currently being implemented can be added, plus an additional amount of around EUR 53 million for new
projects at the final examination stage.

The Commission has requested the Greek authorities to submit new applications for part-financing as
quickly as possible so that EUR 612 million, which is the indicative amount that Greece is supposed to
commit under the 2003 budget, can be committed. The Greek authorities have reconfirmed their intention
of submitting sufficient new applications very shortly to meet the EUR 612 million target.

(2004/C 65 E/238)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2820/03

by Geoffrey Van Orden (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 September 2003)

Subject: Separate registration numbers for trailers

The Netherlands have introduced a new law requiring each trailer (i.e. large trailer, small trailer, caravan,
etc.) to have its own separate and unique registration plate fixed in the usual place.

The UK is one of two EU Member States that does not have a separate registration system for trailers.

I understand that the Dutch authorities are to require UK hauliers to apply for a temporary Dutch
registration number called a ‘BO number’ in order to carry goods/cargo through the country.

C 65 E/224

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

13.3.2004

The UK has a perfectly good system of ID numbers, which are unique to each trailer, which permit the
authorities to trace trailers and their ownership.

Does the Commission regard the imposition of extra registration requirements by Member States on
hauliers who adhere to the registration requirements of their home Member States as a barrier to the free
movement of people and goods within the EU?

If so, what does the Commission intend to do to stop this?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(29 October 2003)

The Commission was not yet aware of the new Dutch law requiring each trailer which is not separately
registered, to obtain a temporary Dutch registration number in order to carry goods/cargo through the
Netherlands. Moreover, it seems, on the basis of the information currently available, that the registration
procedure is not accessible to hauliers established in another Member State.

The Commission needs to examine this new law more closely in order to check its compatibility with the
principles of free movement of goods and transport services. If necessary, the Commission may start
infringement proceedings against the Netherlands in order to remove any unjustified obstacles to the free
movement of goods and transport services, which could result from this new law.

The Commission will
matter.

inform the Honourable Member of any further important development in this

(2004/C 65 E/239)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2822/03

by Theresa Villiers (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 September 2003)

Subject: Welfare of dairy cows

Modern dairy cows have been bred to produce extremely high milk yields. This leads to cows suffering
from a range of serious health and welfare problems including: metabolic hunger as they find it difficult to
consume sufficient food to support the high milk yields; digestive disorders; an increased incidence of
lameness; and lethal production diseases. After around four or less years of production the cows are often
chronically exhausted and suffer severe loss of body condition and are culled.

Will the Commission request the European Food Safety Authority to ask the Standing Committee on the
Food Chain and Animal Health to prepare a report on the health and welfare of dairy cows?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(22 October 2003)

The Honourable Member will be aware that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was established by
Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the
general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and
laying down procedures in matters of food safety (1) as an independent scientific point of reference from
which the Commission may request scientific opinions. A Scientific Committee and various scientific
Panels, including a Panel on Animal Health and Welfare, have been established by EFSA to provide these
scientific opinions.