WRITTEN QUESTION E-0415/04 by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Review of decision on Norrmejerier.
Date: 2004-02-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing arrangements, biogas, energy research, environmental research, project management, research project, water treatment

C 84 E/390

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

(2004/C 84 E/0452)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0415/04

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(17 February 2004)

Subject: Review of decision on Norrmejerier

Norrmejerier is building an installation for the processing of whey, biological purification of waste water
and production of green energy. The project period has been extended to 31 November 2004, but
Norrmejerier needs a further six months to get the installation into shape and complete its final report.
The installation will be operational in April 2005. It cannot be absolutely guaranteed that a final report
will be ready by that date, and Norrmejerier has accordingly sought an extension until 31 May. This
construction project is excellent from the environmental point of view: it will reduce the use of fossil fuel
and alleviate the greenhouse effect.

The payment of support to Norrmejerier from LIFE has been halted, and this is causing Norrmejerier
financial problems.

Would the Commission consider reviewing the decision to withdraw support for Norrmejerier, thereby
giving it the opportunity to complete the project according to plan?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(25 March 2004)

The LIFE Programme (1) aims at contributing to the implementation, updating and development of
Community environment policy and of environmental legislation, in particular as regards the integration of
the environment into other policies, and to sustainable development in the Community.

LIFE beneficiaries commit themselves to fulfil the requirements laid down in the individual Commission
decision for their project and notably the standard administrative provisions (cf. LIFE web-site (2)).

The project LIFE00 ENV/S/854 proposed by the beneficiary Norrmejerier aims at building a pilot plant to
ensure protein recycling and energy recovery in dairy production. Considering its potential positive
environmental benefits, the project proposal was selected in 2000. In order to meet the beneficiary’s need
for more time for project implementation, a prolongation was exceptionally granted for 12 months,
adding to the original timetable of three years.

Recently, the Commission received a new prolongation request, but decided to terminate the project. The
Commission has carefully examined the Honourable Member’s request to review this decision, but cannot
do so and still be in conformity with the standard administrative provisions applying equally to all LIFE
projects. The beneficiary has not been able to meet the extended deadlines and will not be able to achieve
the original project conditions, thereby jeopardising project results. The project has barely started and only
a small part of eligible costs have been incurred so far.

(1) Regulation (EC) No 1655/2000 of the Parliament and of the Council of 17 July 2000 concerning the Financial

Instrument for the Environment (LIFE), OJ L 192, 28.7.2000.

(2) http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/environment/life/home.htm

(2004/C 84 E/0453)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0417/04

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(9 February 2004)

Subject: Sackings from the Finex Group factory

The Finnish Finex Group owns a clothing factory in Nogueira, Maia, Portugal, which used to employ some
1 000 workers. Finex has already pressurised over half of them to accept dismissal agreements. Of the