Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

[**Avis juridique important**](../../../editorial/legal_notice.htm)

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# 91996E1147

**WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1147/96 by Jan MULDER to the Commission. The use of raw materials of agricultural origin for industrial purposes (repeat question)** 
  
*Official Journal C 322 , 28/10/1996 P. 0035*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1147/96 by Jan Mulder (ELDR) to the Commission (15 May 1996)

Subject: The use of raw materials of agricultural origin for industrial purposes (repeat question)

In response to the Commission's answer to my written question E-0678/96 ((OJ C 280, 25.9.1996, p.62. )), I hereby retable the questions in another form, since the Commission obviously preferred not to reply to the majority of the questions I asked on the first occasion.

The Commission takes the view that the use of agricultural raw materials for industrial purposes should be promoted. The environmental movement periodically voices criticisms to the effect that the environmental gains from the use of raw materials of agricultural origin are lost because of the intensive cultivation methods used for these agricultural products. In the case of energy production the Commission states that the precise environmental effect has still to be investigated.

1. Is the Commission prepared to finance such investigations or to share their financing with other appropriate bodies?

Other products which can be made from raw materials of agricultural origin are plant-based lubricants, biodegradable plastics and fibres of plant origin.

2. Does the Commission have figures showing the environmental gains from the use of such products?

3. If not, is the Commission prepared to fund or co-fund such investigations so that the advantages and disadvantages of the use of such products can be more clearly understood?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (14 June 1996)

The honourable member is referred to the answer the Commission gave to his written question E-678/96, which stated that research into the precise environmental impact of growing crops as an energy resource was still in progress and that it would therefore be premature to draw conclusions.

As part of the Fair agricultural research programme, the Commission is part-financing research into the cultivation and processing of non-food crops. Two calls for tender under the 1995-98 Fair programme resulted in the selection of a number of research projects on topics including the environmental impact of cultivating and processing non-food crops.

Two more calls for tender are planned, for December 1996 and December 1997. The report on environmental impact will play a key role in the selection of future research projects.

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