WRITTEN QUESTION E-0746/04 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Reform in the fruit and vegetable sector.
Date: 2004-03-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: common organisation of markets, fruit-growing, interinstitutional relations (EU), market gardening, transparency in decision-making

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/865

The CREA Seed Capital Action was financed by the Third Multiannual Programme for SMEs (1997-2000),
which took off in 1999. With a budget allocation of EUR 8 million it supported recently created seed
capital funds and has 18 active funds that have so far invested EUR 151 million in 218 companies (of
which the funds are still invested in 174), creating 2,205 new jobs. The majority of these funds invest
locally or regionally in new enterprises in information technology, communications, electronics and life
sciences.

the
Under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF)
2000-2006 programming period has emphasised risk capital
instruments in SME financing. The
Commission has encouraged Member States to co-finance products like venture capital. A ‘Guide to risk
capital financing in regional policy’ was published in October 2002 to this end. Support for risk capital
financing from the EU Structural Funds has increased to EUR 1,152 million with Member States providing
an additional EUR 2,140 million. Most Member States have or are introducing schemes and the new
Member States are encouraged to do so too.

In improving the framework conditions of finance, the Risk Capital Action Plan (RCAP) of 1998-2003
achieved considerable progress and attained all its political and many technical objectives. Enterprises’ and
public authorities’ awareness about the strategic importance of risk capital and the possibilities provided by
it are now well enshrined in Europe. The RCAP has played a political role in supporting those directly or
indirectly involved in risk capital activities. The philosophy behind the RCAP is already permeating other
regional, national and Community policies and programmes.

The Commission Communication ‘Access to finance of small and medium-sized enterprises’ (1) of
1 December 2003 and the ‘Action Plan: The European Agenda for Entrepreneurship’ of 11 February
2004 further defined the Commission’s commitment to developing risk capital investment and emphasised
the need to increase equity in the balance sheets of SMEs, focusing on venture capital, business angel
finance and other private individuals as sources of equity investments. Under a pilot action of 1998-2000
that was fully evaluated, the Commission also directly supported the setting up of business angel networks.
A project in 2001-2002 identified good practices on stimulating business angel activities in the Member
States.

the Commission’s Communication ‘Investing in research: an action plan for Europe’ (2)
Furthermore,
adopted in April 2003, points, among other things, to the need to adapt the treatment of risk capital to
avoid double taxation of investors and funds, and to strengthen future guarantee schemes and risk capital
activities managed by the EIF to support R & D activities.

In August 2001, the Commission published a ‘Communication on State Aid and Risk Capital’ (3) setting out
the detailed criteria for approval of new risk capital schemes involving state aid. These provide a basis for
estimating the amount of any aid and deciding whether it is allowable. Further examination of state aid in
remedying market failures will happen in 2004 and 2005.

(1) COM(2003) 713 final.
(2) COM(2003) 226 final.
(3) OJ C 235, 21.8.2001.

(2004/C 84 E/0957)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0746/04

by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 March 2004)

Subject: Reform in the fruit and vegetable sector

The Irish EU Presidency recently announced to the European Parliament that during its term of office the
Commission would put forward proposals for reform in the fresh and processed fruit and vegetable
sectors.

C 84 E/866

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

The Commission has already tackled crucial aspects of the COM via the Management Committee, using a
procedure which prevented Parliament from either expressing an opinion or voting on the changes made.
The result was a genuine reform of the rules governing the way in which producer organisations operate.

Would the Commission say which aspects will be dealt with in the next reform?

Is the Commission intending to submit a discussion paper (as it did in the case of the recent CAP reforms,
including the package of ‘Mediterranean’ reforms) which will enable a debate to be held before the
legislative texts are submitted?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(13 April 2004)

Our review of the fruit and vegetable sector has not yet produced final conclusions. Therefore we cannot
yet say what will be contained in any proposals.

We remind the Honourable Member that we presented a communication on the sector in 2001 that
launched a wide democratic debate in which Parliament, the Council (with conclusions by the Spanish
Presidency), the Member States and civil society have been participants. We have been and are working on
the basis of the contributions made.

(2004/C 84 E/0958)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0748/04

by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Synergy in EU funding programmes

(11 March 2004)

If there is to be greater operational synergy amongst the many EU funding programmes, there must be
considerably better coordination between the European Investment Bank and the Commission.

Hence why has there not hitherto been better coordination between structural
funds, R & D funds,
cohesion funds and EIB/EIF loans? Would it be feasible to set up an independent unit within the
Commission for the purpose of effectively coordinating the management of funds within the various
directorates-general, and also the funding provided by the EIB and the EIF?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(7 April 2004)

The Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group (1) have established practices to
coordinate the use of their financing instruments by means of inter-institutional cooperation agreements
or joint memoranda of understanding covering in particular the areas of regional development and
research and development.

Furthermore, the Commission and the services of the EIB Group have been examining together, in the
context of a Joint Working Party, practical ways to increase the combined use of the respective financing
tools of the two institutions, in particular through more streamlined procedures and a more systematic and
timely exchange of information on upcoming projects.