WRITTEN QUESTION E-3826/03 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Environmental problems caused by small and medium-sized dairy farms.
Date: 2003-12-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing arrangements, Portugal, aid to agriculture, common agricultural policy, dairy farm, family farming, investment aid, operational programme, pollution from agricultural sources, water treatment

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/861

The results of a study undertaken for the Commission and published in 1999 once again highlighted
concerns about
radiological assessment,
a characterisation of different restoration options in terms of performance and cost, and a decision aiding
framework using multi-attribute utility functions as well as action levels for intervention referring to
international guidance.

such sites (1). The report describes a methodology for

Under Article 53 of Council Directive 96/29/Euratom (2), it is the responsibility of the Member States to
take the necessary steps to reduce the radiological effects of past practices (cid:1) which includes past uranium
mining activities-, such as the area demarcation, monitoring of exposures, implementation of intervention
measures, etc.

In the framework of the PRIME programme, two studies relative to the uranium mines were proposed by
Portugal and have already been approved. The total cost of these studies is EUR 2,754 million of which
EUR 1,656 million will be co-financed by the Community through the European Regional Development
Fund (ERDF). The Portuguese authorities have informed the Commission that a further four projects related
to rehabilitation of uranium mines are being studied for a total investment of EUR 12,86 million.

(1)

Investigation of a possible basis for a common approach with regard to the restoration of areas affected by lasting
‘CARE’, available at http://europa.eu.int/
radiation exposure as a result of past or old practice or work activity,
comm/energy/nuclear/radioprotection/publication/doc/115_en.pdf

(2) Council Directive 96/29/Euratom of 13 May 1996 laying down basic safety standards for the protection of the
health of workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionizing radiation, OJ L 159, 29.6.1996.

(2004/C 78 E/0915)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3826/03

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(12 December 2003)

Subject: Environmental problems caused by small and medium-sized dairy farms

The need to maintain the competitiveness and profitability of small dairy farms in the face of the current
common agricultural policy has led to the concentration of small and medium-sized farms with between
30 and 50 or 60 cows in rural areas where there are no facilities for treating waste or other possibilities of
environmental assistance for small and medium-sized farms.

Generally speaking such farmers do not have the financial and technical means to solve by themselves the
environmental problems created by their farms. This causes serious conflict in various areas in northern
Portugal where such holdings are concentrated.

Can the Commission say:

1. what forms of Community support can be used to help small and medium-sized dairy farmers with

the investments needed to solve the environmental problems caused by their farms;

2. what steps it intends to take to safeguard the existence of family farming and reconcile dairy farming

with environmental protection?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(3 February 2004)

The Common Agricultural Policy, with its second pillar, the Rural Development Policy, provides for
possibilities of aid schemes, which may have as a particular target group small and medium agricultural
holdings. The conditions for granting aid are fixed in Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May
1999 concerning support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee
Fund (EAGGF) and amending and repealing certain Regulations (1). Member States design Rural
Development Programmes according to their specific needs.

C 78 E/862

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

The Portuguese authorities offer in their regional and national Operational Programmes the following
possibilities:

(cid:1) ‘Support for investments in agricultural holdings’;

(cid:1) ‘Diversification in small-scale agriculture’.

These two measures can also support investments to comply with recently introduced environmental
standards.

Conservation of the environment and of natural resources

This measure foresees support
in area with
agricultural holdings and agro-industry, in particular for the pre-treatment of waste water from animal
husbandry and agro-industry.

for collective actions for environmental

improvement

Until 31 December 2002 the possibility existed to support investments to comply with standards, not
necessarily only recently introduced. Portugal made use of this possibility under the above mentioned
measure 2.

In addition, and subject to the measures available in the Portuguese agri-environment part of rural
development, farmers (including dairy farmers) who respect good farm practice, which includes respect for
statutory environmental requirements, and agree to undertake agri-environment measures are eligible for
support under this measure. It is primarily a matter for Portugal to draw up appropriate measures ensuring
they go beyond good farm practice.

The reform of the Common Agricultural Policy agreed in June 2003 enhances the support possibilities
under Rural Development. Firstly, additional Community funds generated by modulation of direct aids will
be available from 2006 onwards. The Member States can attribute a priority in the use of these funds, for
example, to support small and medium-sized farmers to improve their environmental performance.

Secondly, the maximum aid intensity for investments young farmers may undertake has been increased
thus opening further possibilities for this important group.

Thirdly, as regards support for meeting standards, i.e. in the area of environment, an additional measure
‘meeting standards’ has been introduced, providing for possibilities to partly cover farmers’ additional
operational cost resulting from the introduction of newly introduced standards.

A series of other measures has been introduced or enhanced with the reform. The Portuguese authorities
can adapt their Rural Development programming documents to take account of the new possibilities open
to them under the reform.

(1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.

(2004/C 78 E/0916)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3837/03

by Emmanouil Bakopoulos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Privatisation of the Post Office Savings Bank

(12 December 2003)

Acting on behalf of the Greek government, the Greek Finance Minister, Mr Christodoulakis, has announced
the decision to privatise the Post Office Savings Bank.

Has the Commission been informed about this matter by the Greek government?