WRITTEN QUESTION E-3570/03 by Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission. Setting-up of mobile customs control units in the Federal Republic of Germany after the accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union.
Date: 2003-12-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Czechia, Germany, accession to the European Union, agricultural trade, customs inspection, import restriction, transitional period (EU)

C 88 E/472

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

In addition to reinforcing the use of existing instruments, and recognising the need to use Official
Development Assistance (ODA) as a catalyst
to the leverage of other financial resources (financial
institutions, private, domestic, etc), the Commission has proposed to allocate the conditional billion EUR
of the 9th European Development Fund (EDF) to establish a Water Facility for ACP countries. This Facility
would constitute an innovative and flexible instrument, and build on the ownership demonstrated by the
African partners in the field of water and sanitation (AMCOW, as well as in the framework of New
Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)). A resolution supporting the creation of this Facility was
presented by the African Ministerial Council during the Pan African Water Conference held in December
2003. A Communication on the modalities for the establishment of the ACP-Union Water Facility is being
prepared, to be submitted for the agreement of EU Member States and subsequently the ACP-EU Council
of Ministers.

3.
Despite these important steps, much remains to be done to achieve tangible results: in order to
realise the drinking and sanitation targets, we need to ensure that everyday until 2015 an extra
120 000 people should receive drinking water and an extra 240 000 people should be provided with
sanitation.

This requires further steps with a renewed emphasis on:

(cid:1) Improving co-operation and co-ordination in the way that water-related interventions are developed

and implemented to maximise the efficiency of present and future action;

(cid:1) Developing an integrated approach, and notably better governance arrangements involving all
stakeholders concerned; further developing the multistakeholder process set in place for implementing
the Water Initiative will be key in this respect;

(cid:1) Catalysing additional funding; a significant boost would be given to the Initiative if the Council of
Ministers can agree to release the additional EUR 1 billion Water Facility for implementation for ACP
countries as proposed by the Commission.

4.
Developing countries have to lead this process, by increasing the importance of water and sanitation
in their national poverty reduction and sustainable development strategies; which is the key to access
development aid. Establishing national policies and improving the institutional environment are essential
to attract additional resources for water and sanitation infrastructure, mainly from private investors.

(2004/C 88 E/0484)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3570/03

by Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission

(5 December 2003)

Subject: Setting-up of mobile customs control units in the Federal Republic of Germany after the accession

of the Czech Republic to the European Union

Annex V of the Act of Accession bans exports of certain agricultural products from holdings which are
only obliged fully to meet the structural requirements of the European Union’s veterinary legislation after a
transitional period. The German customs authorities therefore have the task of verifying compliance with
the export ban and will do so by means of mobile customs control units, since controls of goods at the
borders will cease from 1 May 2004. The German authorities point out that only a limited number of such
units may be set up.

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/473

Given that the Treaty of Accession permits Member States to carry out the necessary controls in the
domain of the general system of ownership, transport and inspections of goods subject to consumer tax,
providing the smooth functioning of the internal market is not thereby impaired, will the Commission say
whether it has imposed restrictions on the number or frequency of mobile customs control units and what
criterion should determine the frequency of mobile customs control units?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 2004)

As highlighted by the Honourable Member, products issuing from establishments which have been granted
a transitional period for certain structural requirements may only be marketed on the national (domestic)
market, and consequently cannot be sent to other Member States.

Annex V of the Act of Accession refers to certain establishments in the Czech Republic and lays down
rules to guarantee this limitation in marketing. In addition, the Commission is currently preparing detailed
implementing rules for the control and marketing of these products. The overall responsibility for ensuring
that Community rules are respected lies with the country of origin. As regards the country of destination,
the general rules foreseen by Council Directive 89/662/EEC of 11 December 1989 concerning veterinary
checks in intra-Community trade with a view to the completion of the internal market (1), will be
applicable. In this context the provisions of Chapter II Article 5. 1(a) of the Directive are applicable, viz:

The competent authority may, at the places of destination of goods, check by means of non-
discriminatory veterinary spot-checks that the requirements of Article 3 have been complied with; it
may take samples at the same time.

Furthermore, where the competent authority of the Member State of transit or of the Member State of
destination has information leading it to suspect an infringement, checks may also be carried out
during the transport of goods in its territory, including checks on compliance as regards the means of
transport.

The intervention of mobile customs control groups is possible but must be in accordance with this
Directive. For these controls on the circulation of products subject to excise duties, the Commission does
not impose any restriction, nor standard for the frequency. This issue falls under the subsidiarity principles.
Nevertheless, when putting in place these controls, Member States must ensure that
the principles
governing the internal market are respected.

(1) OJ L 395, 30.12.1989.

(2004/C 88 E/0485)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3591/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(5 December 2003)

Subject: Côte d’Ivoire (cid:1) the war breaks out again

The rebel forces controlling the northern part of Côte d’Ivoire yesterday announced a state of emergency in
the regions where they operate, and accused President Laurent Gbagbo of getting ready to resume fighting
the war which was interrupted at the beginning of this year.

Disagreements about a government of national unity have brought the two sides to the brink of fresh
fighting, four months after the official ending of the conflict.

Politicians from other West African countries have attempted to save the peace process, but the rebels,
who walked out of the ‘transition executive’ in September, are now accusing the President of planning to
attack the towns of Man and Bouaké.