WRITTEN QUESTION E-3917/03 by Nelly Maes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. European approval of government support for the livestock market in Leeuwarden.
Date: 2003-12-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Friesland, State aid, control of State aid, farm animal, foot-and-mouth disease, investment aid, trade event

C 78 E/876

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

(cid:1) it also emerged from reports in the press and on television that Mr Ingravalle had been practising at
San Giacomo hospital for more than 15 years and had even attended congresses as a spokesman and
appeared on public service broadcasting programmes as a well-known orthopaedic specialist;

(cid:1) the situation arose because of
cooperation with private clinics;

inadequate checks on appointments to the public service and

(cid:1) as Mr Arcuri’s case shows, this puts the health of patients treated by the national health service and

the private health system at serious risk of harm.

Does the Commission intend to take this matter up with the Italian authorities and investigate whether
existing legislation in Italy meets the necessary standards when it comes to checks designed to ensure that
patients are treated by medical staff with the necessary professional qualifications?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(18 February 2004)

First of all it is appropriate to stress that the question by the Honourable Members deals with a situation
that presents no cross-border elements and is purely internal to Italy.

Secondly, while according to Council Directive 93/16/EEC of 5 April 1993 to facilitate the free movement
of doctors and the mutual recognition of their diplomas, certificates and other evidence of
formal
qualifications (1), the exercise of the medical profession is reserved to holders of one of the qualifications
it is in principle the
listed in the relevant annexes or the publication in accordance with Article 41,
responsibility of the competent institutions of the Member States to see that this principle is respected.

Third, the situation to which the Honourable Members refer concerns the exercising of the profession of a
specialist doctor by a person who, according to their information, does not hold any medical qualification
whatsoever and must, hence, be considered as an individual case. The Commission does not dispose of any
information which would lead to the conclusion that medical professions in Italy are systematically
exercised by persons with no training and no qualifications. If this were the case, the Commission would
certainly not hesitate to initiate the steps foreseen in the EC-Treaty, and particularly in Article 226.

(1) OJ L 165, 7.7.1993.

(2004/C 78 E/0929)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3917/03

by Nelly Maes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(17 December 2003)

Subject: European approval of government support for the livestock market in Leeuwarden

As a result of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Friesland in 2001, the livestock market in
Leeuwarden had to be closed down. In order to reopen it had to meet extremely strict conditions,
requiring major investment. With the help of funds from the province of Friesland, the municipality of
Leeuwarden and the private sector, the necessary investments were made and the market reopened.

The Friesland provincial council decided to set up a foot and mouth disease emergency fund amounting to
EUR 6 353 000 and at the same time approved the granting of compensation under that fund.

In spring 2002 the foot and mouth disease compensation arrangements were forwarded to Brussels for
approval. That approval is still awaited and until it is received the support earmarked for the livestock
market cannot be paid. As a result of this delay, the FEC (Frisian Expocentre), the largest investor, is facing
major cash flow problems and possible bankruptcy, with the potential loss of hundreds of jobs.

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/877

1. What is the problem with the granting of government aid to the Frisian Expocentre (public/private
ownership) for investment in the livestock market as a result of the foot and mouth epidemic in Friesland
in 2001?

2. Why is the procedure for granting European approval for the support referred to in paragraph 1
taking so long?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(9 February 2004)

The Commission wishes to assure the Honourable Member that it is fully aware of the precarious situation
of the sectors affected by the foot-and-mouth crisis in 2001.

The Frisian authorities notified the Commission of several measures related to the foot-and-mouth crisis in
2001.

As to the measures notified in spring 2002, the Commission assumes that the Honourable Member refers
to State Aid N 315/02 (Foot-and-mouth disease compensation fund Friesland). This measure with a budget
of EUR 6 353 000 was approved by Commission Decision C(2003)128 of 13 February 2003.

the Frisian authorities notified two additional measures (N 665/02 and N 667/02)

in
Furthermore,
particular related to the Leeuwarden cattle market in October 2002. These measures involve ‘inter alia’
investment aid for FEC (Frisian Expocentre).

As to the first question asked by the Honourable Member, the Commission is not yet in a position to
establish whether the above-mentioned measures are compatible with the common market.

As to the duration of the procedure, these measures were notified to the Commission by letters of
11 October 2002 from the Dutch Permanent Representation to the Union.

Due to the fact that the original notification did not contain all necessary information, the Commission
asked the Dutch authorities for additional information. On the request of the Dutch authorities, a meeting
was held after which the Dutch authorities decided to adapt the measures. From the examination of the
modified measures, it appeared that the information was not complete. By letter of 22 October 2003, the
Commission has asked for additional information. So far, this letter has remained unanswered.

(2004/C 78 E/0930)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3926/03

by Jacqueline Foster (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 December 2003)

Subject: Distortion of competition in the diamond industry

In the Commission’s current investigations into the compatibility with EC competition law of De Beers’
Supplier of Choice distribution system and its proposed exclusive purchase agreement with Alrosa, what
steps does the Commission intend to take to prevent De Beers from drastically reducing competition by
effectively destroying the secondary market for the independent supply of rough diamonds to non-
sightholders, in particular given that: