do-me/EUR-LEX huggingface dataset:
Values of thresholds in the field of public procurement applicable from 1 January 2004
Date: 2004-02-26
Institutions: EFTA Surveillance Authority
Subjects: EFTA countries, euro, market prices, national currency, public contract, services contract, supplies contract, works contract

26.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 51/7

Values of thresholds in the field of public procurement applicable from 1 January 2004

(2004/C 51/09)

1. The values of thresholds applicable as of 1 January 2004 for public supplies contracts pursuant to the
Act referred to in point 3 of Annex XVI to the EEA Agreement (Council Directive 93/36/EEC), as
amended by decision of the EEA Joint Committee No 96/1999 of 16 July 1999 amending Annex XVI
(procurement) to the EEA Agreement, are as follows:

EUR 200 000

EUR 750 000

EUR 154 014

EUR 236 945

(SDR 130 000)

(SDR 200 000)

Icelandic krona

17 430 000

65 362 500

13 422 320

20 649 757

Schweizer Franken
(Liechtenstein)

Norwegian krone

296 000

1 542 000

1 110 000

5 782 500

227 941

350 679

1 187 448

1 826 846

2. The values of thresholds applicable as of 1 January 2004 for public works contracts pursuant to the Act
referred to in point 2 of Annex XVI to the EEA Agreement (Council Directive 93/37/EEC), as amended
by decision of
the EEA Joint Committee No 96/1999 of 16 July 1999 amending Annex XVI
(procurement) to the EEA Agreement, are as follows:

EUR 1 000 000

EUR 5 000 000

EUR 5 923 624

(SDR 5 000 000)

Icelandic krona

87 150 000

435 750 000

516 243 832

Schweizer Franken (Liechtenstein)

1 480 000

Norwegian krone

7 710 000

7 400 000

38 550 000

8 766 964

45 671 141

3. The values of thresholds applicable as of 1 January 2004 for public services contracts pursuant to the
Act referred to in point 5(b) of Annex XVI to the EEA Agreement (Council Directive 92/50/EEC), as
amended by decision of the EEA Joint Committee No 96/1999 of 16 July 1999 amending Annex XVI
(procurement) to the EEA Agreement, are as follows:

EUR 80 000

EUR 750 000

EUR 200 000

EUR 154 014

EUR 236 945

(SDR 130 000)

(SDR 200 000)

Icelandic krona

6 972 000

65 362 500

17 430 000

13 422 320

20 649 757

Schweizer Franken (Liechtenstein)

118 400

1 110 000

296 000

227 941

350 679

Norwegian krone

616 800

5 782 500

1 542 000

1 187 448

1 826 846

4. The values of thresholds applicable as of 1 January 2004 in the utilities sector for supplies contracts and service contracts and for
works contracts pursuant to the Act referred to in point 4 of Annex XVI to the EEA Agreement (Council Directive 93/38/EEC), as
amended by decision of the EEA Joint Committee No 96/1999 of 16 July 1999 amending Annex XVI (procurement) to the EEA
Agreement, are as follows:

EUR 400 000

EUR 600 000

EUR 750 000

EUR 1 000 000 EUR 5 000 000

EUR 473 890

EUR 5 923 624

(SDR 400 000)

(SDR 5 000 000)

Icelandic krona

34 860 000

52 290 000

65 362 500

87 150 000 435 750 000

41 299 514

516 243 832

Schweizer Franken (Liechtenstein)

592 000

888 000

1 110 000

1 480 000

7 400 000

701 358

8 766 964

Norwegian krone

3 084 000

4 626 000

5 782 500

7 710 000

38 550 000

3 653 692

45 671 141
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0561/04 by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission. Ireland and Nitrates Directive.
Date: 2004-02-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Ireland, application of EU law, derogation from EU law, judgment of the Court (EU), minister, public statement, water pollution, water protection

C 84 E/428

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

(2004/C 84 E/0498)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0561/04

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

(26 February 2004)

Subject: Ireland and Nitrates Directive

The Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC (1)) was adopted by the Council on 12 December 1991 and should
have been implemented in full by all Member States by 1995 at the latest.

In October 2001, the Commission referred Ireland to the European Court of Justice for failing to comply
with the Directive. On 26 June 2003, Advocate-General Geelhoed of the ECJ delivered an opinion to the
effect that Ireland had failed to fulfil its obligations under this Directive and ordered Ireland to pay the
costs of the case.

Could the Commission therefore clarify the claim made by the Irish Minister for Agriculture at the Annual
General Meeting of
Ireland has negotiated
a derogation from the Nitrates Directive?

the Irish Farmers’ Association on 14 January 2004 that

(1) OJ L 375, 31.12.1991, p. 1.

(2004/C 84 E/0499)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0563/04

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

(26 February 2004)

Subject: Implementation of the Nitrates Directive in Ireland

The Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC (1)), was adopted by the Council on 12 December 1991 and should
have been implemented in full by all Member States by 1995 at the latest.

What action has the Commission taken, or is it considering taking, to ensure that Ireland complies in full
with its commitments under this Directive?

(1) OJ L 375, 31.12.1991, p. 1.

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-0561/04 and E-0563/04
given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(22 March 2004)

In response to Written Question E-561/04, the Commission confirms that Ireland has not negotiated
a derogation from Council Directive 91/676/EEC.

In response to Written Question E-563/04, the Commission confirms that it has taken legal proceedings in
the Court of Justice against Ireland for non-compliance with the requirements of Council Directive 91/676/
EEC of 12 December 1991 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from
agricultural sources.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0592/04 by Helle Thorning-Schmidt (PSE) to the Commission. Aid to stud farms.
Date: 2004-02-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Ireland, State aid, control of State aid, equidae, livestock farming, restriction on competition

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/635

The national authorities are responsible for selecting and submitting projects for Cohesion Fund part-
financing to us. We examine them using the criteria set in Article 10 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1164/
94 of 16 May 1994 establishing a Cohesion Fund (1). These criteria do not include location. In the Official
Journal references have been given for the decisions for 2000 (2), 2001 (3) and 2002 (4) granting Cohesion
Fund assistance to Spain. Those for 2003 will be published this year.

(1) OJ L 130, 25.5.1994.
(2) OJ C 361, 17.12.2001.
(3) OJ C 126, 28.5.2002.
(4) OJ C 123, 24.5.2003.

(2004/C 84 E/0713)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0592/04

by Helle Thorning-Schmidt (PSE) to the Commission

(26 February 2004)

Subject: Aid to stud farms

What is the Commission’s position on Irish state aid to stud farms? In Ireland, there is no tax on
‘nomination fees’ which a stud farm owner receives when a stallion impregnates a mare. The opposite is
the case in Denmark, which gives Irish stud farms a competitive advantage over the other Member States.

Will the Commission say whether Irish practice in this respect is consistent with EU competition and state
aid rules?

(2004/C 84 E/0714)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0610/04

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 March 2004)

Subject: Irish stud farms

Would the Commission comment on the issue of tax breaks given by the Irish Government to stud farms?
Each year Irish stud farms earn from the ‘nomination fees’ that an owner receives when a stallion
impregnates a mare, and yet pay nothing in tax. This gives them a major advantage over British stud
farms, resulting in lost revenue and jobs in the UK.

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-0592/04 and E-0610/04
given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(2 April 2004)

The Commission has received a formal complaint in this matter and is investigating the issue. Before the
investigation has been finalized, the Commission is not in a position to indicate whether the scheme is
compatible with the EC Treaty.
Corrigendum to Commission Directive 2003/83/EC of 24 September 2003 adapting to technical progress Annexes II, III and VI to Council Directive 76/768/EEC on the approximation of the laws of Member States relating to cosmetic products (OJ L 238 of 25.9.2003)
Date: 2004-02-26
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: approximation of laws, cosmetic product

L 58/28

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

26.2.2004

CORRIGENDA

Corrigendum to Commission Directive 2003/80/EC of 5 September 2003 establishing a symbol indicating the
durability of cosmetic products in Annex VIIIa to Council Directive 76/768/EEC

(Official Journal of the European Union L 224 of 6 September 2003)

On page 27, in recital 2:

for:

read:

‘For cosmetic products with a shelf life of 30 months or more, there should be an indication of the period of time
after opening for which the product can be used without any harm to the consumer.’,
‘For cosmetic products with a shelf life of more than 30 months, there should be an indication of the period of
time after opening for which the product can be used without any harm to the consumer.’

Corrigendum to Commission Directive 2003/83/EC of 24 September 2003 adapting to technical progress
Annexes II, III and VI to Council Directive 76/768/EEC on the approximation of the laws of Member States
relating to cosmetic products

(Official Journal of the European Union L 238 of 25 September 2003)

On page 25, point 1(a):

for:
read:

‘178. 4-Benzoyloxyphenol and 4-ethoxyphenol’,
‘178. 4-Benzyloxyphenol and 4-ethoxyphenol’.
European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) (COM(2003) 806 — C5-0032/2004 — 2003/0312(CNS))
Date: 2004-02-26
Institutions: Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, European Parliament
Subjects: EAGGF, accession to the European Union, derogation from EU law, rural development

C 98 E/122

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

23.4.2004

Thursday 26 February 2004

TEXTS ADOPTED

P5_TA(2004)0103

EAGGF support for rural development *

European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council Regulation amending
Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural
Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) (COM(2003) 806 (cid:1) C5-0032/2004 (cid:1) 2003/0312(CNS))

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

(cid:1) having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2003) 806) (1),

(cid:1) having regard to Article 57 of the Act of Accession, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parlia-

ment (C5-0032/2004),

(cid:1) having regard to Rules 67 and 158(1) of its Rules of Procedure,

(cid:1) having regard to the report of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (A5-0082/

2004),

1.

2.

Approves the Commission proposal;

Calls on the Council to notify Parliament if it intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

Asks the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to amend the Commission proposal sub-

3.
stantially;

4.

Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and Commission.

(1) Not yet published in the OJ.

P5_TA(2004)0104

Shipbuilding *

European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council regulation amending
Regulation (EC) No 1177/2002 concerning a temporary defensive mechanism to shipbuilding
(COM(2004) 26 (cid:1) C5-0061/2004 (cid:1) 2004/0008(CNS))

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

(cid:1) having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2004) 26) (1),

(cid:1) having regard to Article 89 of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament

(C5-0061/2004),

(cid:1) having regard to Rule 67 and 158(1) of its Rules of Procedure,

(cid:1) having regard to the report of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (A5-0056/2004),

(1) Not yet published in the OJ.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 342/2004 of 26 February 2004 on the issuing of export licences for products processed from fruit and vegetables (sugar-preserved cherries)
Date: 2004-02-26
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: export licence, fruit product, stone fruit

27.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 60/31

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 342/2004

of 26 February 2004

on the issuing of export licences for products processed from fruit and vegetables (sugar-preserved
cherries)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/96 of 28
October 1996 on the common organisation of the market in
processed fruit and vegetable products (1),

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1429/95 of
23 June 1995 on implementing rules for export refunds on
products processed from fruit and vegetables other than those
granted for added sugars (2), and in particular the second sub-
paragraph of Article 4(1) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1859/2003 (3) fixed the
quantities in respect of which applications may be
submitted for export licences with advance fixing of the
refund.

Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1429/95 fixed the condi-
tions in which special measures may be taken by the
Commission with a view to preventing an overrun in
the quantities for which export licences may be issued.

In the light of information now available to the Commis-
sion, these quantities would be exceeded if all licences
with advance fixing of the refund for the export of

sugar-preserved cherries applied for since 20 February
2004 were issued without restriction. A reducing factor
should therefore be applied to the quantities of this
product applied for on 20 February 2004 and all appli-
cations for export licences with advance fixing of the
refund submitted after that date during the same applica-
tion period should be rejected,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Export licences with advance fixing of the refund for sugar-
preserved cherries for which applications were submitted on
20 February 2004 under Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No 1859/
2003 shall be issued for 70,5 % of the quantities applied for.

Applications for export licences with advance fixing of the
refund for sugar-preserved cherries submitted after 20 February
2004 and before 23 February 2004 shall be rejected.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 27 February 2004.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 26 February 2004.

For the Commission

J. M. SILVA RODRÍGUEZ

Agriculture Director-General

(1) OJ L 297, 21.11.1996, p. 29. Regulation as last amended by
Commission Regulation (EC) No 453/2002 (OJ L 72, 14.3.2002, p.
9).

(2) OJ L 141, 24.6.1995, p. 28. Regulation as last amended by Regu-

lation (EC) 1176/2002 (OJ L 170, 29.6.2002, p. 69).

(3) OJ L 272, 23.10.2003, p. 14.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 327/2004 of 26 February 2004 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables
Date: 2004-02-26
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: citrus fruit, fruit vegetable, import price, perennial vegetable, pip fruit, stone fruit

27.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 60/1

I

(Acts whose publication is obligatory)

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 327/2004

of 26 February 2004

establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and
vegetables

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 of
21 December 1994 on detailed rules for the application of the
import arrangements for fruit and vegetables (1), and in particu-
lar Article 4(1) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 lays down, pursuant to the
outcome of the Uruguay Round multilateral trade nego-
tiations, the criteria whereby the Commission fixes the
standard values for imports from third countries,
in
respect of the products and periods stipulated in the
Annex thereto.

(2)

In compliance with the above criteria,
the standard
import values must be fixed at the levels set out in the
Annex to this Regulation,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The standard import values referred to in Article 4 of Regu-
lation (EC) No 3223/94 shall be fixed as indicated in the Annex
hereto.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 27 February 2004.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 26 February 2004.

For the Commission

J. M. SILVA RODRÍGUEZ

Agriculture Director-General

(1) OJ L 337, 24.12.1994, p. 66. Regulation as last amended by Regu-

lation (EC) No 1947/2002 (OJ L 299, 1.11.2002, p. 17).

L 60/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

27.2.2004

to the Commission Regulation of 26 February 2004 establishing the standard import values for determining
the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables

ANNEX

CN code

0702 00 00

0707 00 05

0709 10 00

0709 90 70

0805 10 10, 0805 10 30, 0805 10 50

0805 20 10

0805 20 30, 0805 20 50, 0805 20 70,
0805 20 90

0805 50 10

0808 10 20, 0808 10 50, 0808 10 90

0808 20 50

Third country code (1)

Standard import value

(EUR/100 kg)

052
204
212
999

052
068
204
999

220
999

052
204
999

052
204
212
220
600
624
999

204
999

052
204
220
400
464
600
624
999

052
999

060
388
400
404
508
512
524
528
720
999

060
388
512
528
720
999

85,2
39,0
108,5
77,6

151,9
133,0
35,4
106,8

68,9
68,9

108,2
56,0
82,1

68,6
46,8
53,2
42,5
41,8
64,7
52,9

96,6
96,6

68,2
83,1
88,5
55,6
76,4
97,2
76,3
77,9

59,4
59,4

35,7
128,0
105,6
94,9
95,1
92,1
79,2
91,8
83,7
89,6

65,7
81,1
70,4
84,8
42,7
68,9

(1) Country nomenclature as fixed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2081/2003 (OJ L 313, 28.11.2003, p. 11). Code ‘999’ stands for

‘of other origin’.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0543/04 by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. CAP: the declining contribution of EU funds to the survival of small farmers in a context of low consumer prices and low world market prices.
Date: 2004-02-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing arrangements, common agricultural policy, distribution of EU funding, farm income, medium-sized holding, smallholding, support policy

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/955

the Commission,

take measures to try to make such
7. Will
transparency possible in every EU Member State? If so, what steps will it take, and how soon? If not, why
not?

in consultation with the Council,

Sources:

(cid:1) Dutch newspaper ‘de Volkskrant’, 23 January 2004: ‘Rijkste Britten innen meeste landbouwsubsidies’

(Rich Britons receive most farm subsidies).

(cid:1) http://www.oxfam.org.uk/press/releases/subsidies220104.htm

(cid:1) http://www.oxfam.org.uk/press/releases/subsidies220104_facts.htm

(cid:1) http://www.minlnv.nl/infomart/parlemnt/2003/par03100.htm

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 2004)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.

(2004/C 78 E/1011)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0543/04

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(26 February 2004)

Subject: CAP: the declining contribution of EU funds to the survival of small farmers in a context of low

consumer prices and low world market prices

In the Commission’s opinion, has the existence of the Common Agricultural Policy in recent decades
1.
and the financial assistance from Community funds which it provides helped to enable small and medium-
sized farmers, in both the arable and livestock sectors, despite relatively low consumer prices for their
products and falling prices on the world market, to remain able to earn an acceptable income and thus to
ensure the continuity of production?

2.
In the light of the recent study by the development organisation Oxfam, can the Commission
confirm that the funding currently provided under the CAP is increasingly failing to guarantee the survival
of small farmers and that the bulk of it goes to large farmers and large land-owners?

3. When did the change referred to at 2 occur? Did it happen after the accession of new Member States
with bigger disparities in land areas owned than existed in the six founder Member States of the European
Communities?

4.
To what extent was the existing financing method responsible for the fact that, after previous
increases in scale, the number of farms in the present 15 Member States declined by a further 15,7 %
between 1995 and 2002? Why was this method of
the development
concerned?

financing unable to prevent

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(22 March 2004)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-0564/04 by Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Ship-to-ship oil transfers.
Date: 2004-02-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: load, maritime safety, maritime transport, oil pollution, prevention of pollution, tanker, transport regulations

C 84 E/810

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

Notwithstanding these improvements, further progress is required. The Commission is fully committed to
ensure that the Nitrates Directive is correctly implemented in the Member States with a set of actions and
if necessary by putting legal pressure through infringement procedures on Member States, which do not
implement correctly the different steps of the Directive.

(1) EEA, WHO, 2002. Water and health in Europe, WHO Regional publications European series, No 93.
(2) OJ L 330, 5.12.1998.

(2004/C 84 E/0904)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0564/04

by Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 February 2004)

Subject: Ship-to-ship oil transfers

Can the Commission indicate what European Union legislation, if any, exists with regard to the safety of
ship-to-ship oil transfers in the coastal waters of the European Union?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(6 April 2004)

There is no Community legislation dealing expressly with ship-to-ship cargo transfers in waters under the
jurisdiction of the Member States.

However, several EU maritime safety Directives and Regulations are relevant, as they provide for
inspections of ships involved in this type of operation in ports and waters under the jurisdiction of
Member States.

The following are particularly relevant:

(cid:1) Directive 2001/106/EC (1) of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 2001
amending Council Directive 95/21/EC (2) on port state control deals with this matter indirectly.
It provides for priority inspections of ships considered to be at risk, including tankers likely to make
ship-to-ship transfers;

(cid:1) Regulation (EC) No 1726/2003 (3) of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 July 2003
amending Regulation (EC) No 417/2002 (4). This Regulation prohibits the operation (cid:1) and this
includes fuel transfer (cid:1) of single-hull oil tankers transporting heavy grades of oil
in ports and
anchorages in Member States.

(1) Directive 2001/106/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 2001 amending Council
Directive 95/21/EC concerning the enforcement, in respect of shipping using Community ports and sailing in the
waters under the jurisdiction of the Member States, of international standards for ship safety, pollution prevention
and shipboard living and working conditions, OJ L 19, 22.1.2002.

(2) OJ L 157, 7.7.1998.
(3) Regulation (EC) No 1726/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 July 2003 amending
Regulation (EC) No 417/2002 on the accelerated phasing-in of double-hull or equivalent design requirements for
single-hull oil tankers, OJ L 249, 1.10.2003.

(4) OJ L 64, 7.3.2003.