WRITTEN QUESTION E-0813/04 by Johanna Boogerd-Quaak (ELDR) to the Commission. Agri-environmental payments.
Date: 2004-03-15
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EAGGF, EU financing arrangements, World Trade Organisation, aid to agriculture, farmers' income, rural development, sustainable agriculture, tariff negotiations

C 88 E/538

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

Given that the motive does not appear to have been robbery, rumours have emerged that this brutal crime
was linked to the organ-trafficking apparently taking place in the region.

The autopsy has shown that the missionary was killed by blows from a hammer. Five suspects have
already been detained in connection with her death.

Within the religious community, and especially among the Catholic nuns who have spoken out against the
organ-trafficking, the fear of reprisals is mounting.

The Commission:

(cid:1) what information does it have about these matters;

(cid:1) what measures has it taken or will it take to guarantee the security of the religious and missionaries

working in Nampula, especially those who are Union citizens?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(5 April 2004)

The Commission is aware of the murder of the Brazilian nun Doraci Edinger and contacted the Embassy of
Brazil
in this respect, which, on the basis of the available information, considers that there is no
connection with alleged organ trafficking cases.

Regarding the nuns’ safety, although this matter falls outside the Commission’s competence and can be
best addressed through interventions from the respective Member State Embassies, the Commission will
examine within the framework of the EU co-ordination and EU-Mozambique political dialogue the most
appropriate way to raise this issue with the government.

The Honourable Member can be assured that the Commission, within the limits of its competence, will
maintain contact with the Attorney’s General office and the Human Rights League and follow the progress
of the investigation.

(2004/C 88 E/0550)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0813/04

by Johanna Boogerd-Quaak (ELDR) to the Commission

(15 March 2004)

Subject: Agri-environmental payments

On 5 February 2004 I had the honour to host a conference on agri-environmental programmes, ‘How to
improve agri-environmental measures for biodiversity and sustainable use’, organised by IUCN.

During that conference critical remarks were made about the calculation of agri-environmental payments
as based on the current rules of the Rural Development Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 (1).

Has the Commission considered that the current basis for agri-environmental payments, as laid down

1.
in the Rural Development Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999, is not satisfactory in all situations?

Has the Commission considered proposing to base agri-environmental payments in the future on the

2.
delivery of public goods?

3.
Has the Commission considered steps in this respect in the context of preparing the new Rural
Development Regulation and in the WTO negotiations on the rules for the Green Box of the Agreement
on Agriculture?

(1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999, p. 80.

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/539

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(28 April 2004)

The conference hosted by the Honourable Member certainly has contributed to a very useful reflection on
the current design of agri-environment measures and possible approaches for their future evolution. The
Commission has taken note of the points raised during the conference, including the critical remarks. In
the case of measures with such a broad uptake under a great variety of objectives and regional/local
conditions it is to be expected that weaknesses can occur and be observed.

1.
Agri-environmental payments are granted for voluntary commitments going beyond ‘good farming
practice’. The reference level of ‘good farming practices’ represents at least statutory requirements with
which farmers are expected to comply without being paid. The current basis for agri-environmental
payments is article 24 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural
development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and amending and
repealing certain Regulations. Agri-environment payments are calculated on the basis of income foregone,
additional costs resulting from the commitment given by a farmer, and (cid:1) where deemed necessary to
facilitate a sufficient uptake of the measure by the farmers (cid:1) an incentive element covering transaction
costs. These calculations reflect average cost/income situations in an area covered by a programme and not
the situation in an individual holding.

The Commission considers its agri-environment policy as a reasonable and justifiable way of
2.
encouraging the provision of public goods in the field of the environment by farmers. Basing agri-
environmental payments on the above described principle of calculation of farmers’ costs incurred/income
foregone allows a desired outcome to be achieved with respect to the delivery of public goods at lowest
cost. Weaknesses and difficulties in the practical
implementation identified are at present under
examination and the Commission will, on this basis, make appropriate proposals for the future design of
agri-environment in the framework of Rural Development.

3.
The principle is in full compliance with World Trade Organisation agreements regarding support
under the Green Box. Any envisaged change in approach has to be carefully considered against this
background.

(2004/C 88 E/0551)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0815/04

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(15 March 2004)

Subject: The mass detention of Eritrean evangelical Christians

Is the Commission aware of the persecution which is taking place in Eritrea towards evangelical Christians?
In a recent crackdown by the Eritrean authorities 51 evangelical Christians were arrested, this brings the
total to an estimated 347 citizens arrested and imprisoned across nine locations in Eritrea because of their
religious beliefs.

In Eritrea only Orthodox, Catholic, Evangelical Lutheran and Muslim faiths are recognised as official
religions, all others are ‘illegal’. Subsequently, since May 2002 all Eritrean evangelical churches have been
forced to shut and the meeting for worship in public places and even private homes has been banned. In
keeping with the European Union’s belief that the freedom to practice peacefully ones religion without
persecution is a fundamental universal human right, it is clear that the Eritrean Government are in gross
breach of those human rights.

What action does the Commission propose to take to ensure the release of all 347 Eritrean religious
prisoners? Furthermore, what actions can it take to create greater tolerance towards different religions in
Eritrea and the removal of the ban on all so-called unofficial religions?