WRITTEN QUESTION P-0127/04 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Community budget and the financial perspective.
Date: 2004-01-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community budget, implementation of the budget, multiannual financial framework, payment appropriation

C 84 E/538

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

(2004/C 84 E/0615)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0127/04

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(19 January 2004)

Subject: Community budget and the financial perspective

Given the major debate surrounding the post-2006 financial perspective, and also around cohesion policy,
in the wake of the submission of the Commission’s proposals in these areas, will the Commission state:

1. The value in euros of the total budget, of the total budget actually implemented, of the total budget
written into the financial perspective and the maximum limits of the financial perspective from 1998
to 2004 in commitment spending and payments; and the same data, broken up according to the totals
of the budgetary categories as entered in the financial perspective,

2.

the same data at constant prices, if possible, from 2000 or 2004,

3.

the relative weight of the budget (payment spending) in percentage of GDP and the maximum limit of
own-resources from 1988 to 2004; and, if possible, the same data, stated in terms of gross national
revenue?

Answer given by Ms Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(25 February 2004)

The figures requested by the Honourable Member are contained in the tables which have been sent direct
to the Honourable Member and to Parliament’s Secretariat. They relate to the period 1988-2004.

Table 1: Economic and budgetary data

The time series set out in this table concern:

1. Gross national product (GNP) of the Union in euro billion at current prices (EU-12 from 1988 to

1994 then EU-15 from 1995 to 2004).

From 2003 the concept of gross national income (GNI) replaces that of GNP (the own resources
ceiling was adjusted accordingly from 1,27 % to 1,24 %).

2. The own resources ceiling resulting from application of the percentage set each year in terms of GNP/

GNI, at current prices and 2004 prices.

3. The annual deflators used to convert GNP/GNI figures at current prices to figures at constant 2004

prices, using the most recent data and forecasts available.

4. The annual ceilings set in the successive financial perspectives. These are the ceilings after the

technical adjustments and revisions.

To these are added any amounts for any given year resulting from the adjustments made during the
period in connection with implementation. These amounts are shown separately.

5. Any mobilisation from 2000 onwards, within the limits set for each mechanism of:

(cid:1) the flexibility instrument;

(cid:1) the Solidarity Fund.

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/539

6. The budget figures for:

(cid:1) the appropriations entered in the budget each year (initial budget and supplementary and
amending budgets,
including any appropriations corresponding to transfers resulting from
adjustments in connection with implementation and mobilisation of the flexibility instrument or
the Solidarity Fund) as voted by the budgetary authority;

(cid:1) actual implementation of these appropriations for each budget year.

The figures under points 4, 5 and 6 are shown:

(a)

in appropriations for commitments and appropriations for payments (except for point 5, as the
appropriations for payments were financed under the financial perspective ceiling);

(b) at current prices and constant 2004 prices.

Table 2: Budget figures as % of GNP/GNI

(a) Financial perspective ceilings,

including adjustments in connection with implementation (total

commitments and payments);

(b) Total appropriations entered in the budget (total commitments and payments);

(c) Total appropriations used (total commitments and payments);

(d) Own resources ceiling.

Table 3: Budget
implementation)

figures by financial perspective heading: Appropriations

for commitments

(ceilings, budget,

(a)

Financial perspective 1988-1992 (implementation by heading not available);

(b) Financial perspective 1993-1999;

(c) Financial perspective 2000-2006.

(2004/C 84 E/0616)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0129/04

by Lord Inglewood (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 January 2004)

Subject: Invasive alien species

Under the Gothenburg Commitment the European Commission has an obligation to produce a policy on
invasive alien species. The Sixth Environmental Action Programme states that invasive alien species are a
high priority. When will the Commission produce its policy on invasive alien species?

In particular what action is the European Commission taking to deal with the grey squirrel, which has
been identified by the IUCN as one of the 100 worst alien invasive species and is now prevalent not only
in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland but also in Italy, where the principal colony is spreading into the
foothills of the Alps?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(12 March 2004)

The Commission recognises the importance of
to
biodiversity, and regards addressing this threat as one of the key priorities in meeting the Gothenburg
commitment to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010. The Commission notes with alarm the continuing
loss of biodiversity, and believes that achieving the 2010 target will require substantially reinforced action.
The Commission is currently engaged in a broad consultative process to review progress in the
implementation of the Community biodiversity strategy and action plans, with the dual aim of identifying
priority measures and building momentum towards the 2010 target. As part of this process, the Irish

the threat posed by invasive alien species (IAS)