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text: COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Brussels, 13. 12. 1999 COM(1999) 492 final 1999/0201 (CNS) 1999/0202 (CNS) Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION adjusting, for the sixth time, the system of aid for cotton introduced by Protocol 4 annexed to the Act of Accession of Greece Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION on production aid for cotton (presented by the Commission) EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 1. INTRODUCTION This Explanatory Memorandum and its accompanying legislative proposals are drafted in response to paragraph 11 of Protocol 4 annexed to the Act of Accession of Greece, amended inter alia by Protocol 14 annexed to the Act of Accession of Spain and Portugal, which required a report on the operation of the aid scheme. This requirement was partly anticipated in 1997/98 by the Report from the Commission to the Council on Greek requests in the cotton sector (COM(1998) 10 final). In June 1998, after the report had been studied and some of the recommended measures adopted, the Council invited the Commission to examine: – – – – the possibility of introducing a system enabling the aid to be paid directly to the producer, the compatibility of such a system with current commercial practice in the cotton sector, the possibility of setting up a system of regionalised penalties, the problems inherent in managing and monitoring such systems. In evaluating the desired changes, attention has been paid to simplifying the rules and ensuring that the effectiveness of controls is maintained or improved. This was because the Court of Auditors, in its annual reports1, had found serious shortcomings in the controls on the cotton aid scheme. 2. THE COTTON AID SCHEME The Community rules governing the arrangements for cotton are based on a Protocol annexed to the Act of Accession of Greece. Following the accession of Spain and Portugal, Council Regulation (EEC) No 1964/87 adjusting the system of aid for cotton introduced by Protocol 4 annexed to the Act of Accession of Greece was adopted, in particular to establish a maximum guaranteed quantity. Since then, this Council Regulation has been amended four times, to adapt some of its Articles but also to amend certain sections of Protocol 4. In addition, Council Regulation (EC) No 1554/95 lays down the general rules for the system of aid. This rather unusual legislative arrangement has become exceptionally complex and, in order to simplify it, the provisions of the Protocol should be reduced to essentials and all the other legislative measures should be brought together in a single Council Regulation. 1 OJ C 309, 16. 11. 1993, p. 1. JO C 340, 17. 11. 1996, p. 1. 2 The cotton arrangements are based on a minimum price per tonne of unginned cotton to be paid to producers by cotton ginning undertakings. The ginning undertakings receive Community aid per tonne, which varies according to market quotations so that ginned cotton can be sold at the world price. In addition, since the 1998/99 marketing year, it has been possible for producer groups to have ginning carried out on their behalf and to receive aid through the ginning undertakings. The scheme is subject to guaranteed national quantities (GNQs) of 782 000 tonnes for Greece and 249 000 tonnes for Spain. If production exceeds the guaranteed national quantity, the guide price, the aid and the minimum price are reduced, although this does not necessarily ensure budget neutrality. However, there is a mechanism which, under limits certain conditions, limited to production. Under most EUR 770 million, although it can be much higher, particularly when the world price is low and interest in the crop is growing as at present. Expenditure could exceed EUR 900 million. in particular when the world price is relatively high, circumstances, budgetary expenditure is Advances on the aid are paid, on the basis of the world prices recorded and crop estimates made before the beginning of the marketing year (1 September). Moreover, since the 1998/99 marketing year, advances have been revised on the basis of a new crop estimate made at the end of November when ginning is well under way. Between 1982 and 1992, the Community encouraged the creation of producer groups in the cotton sector. Start-up aid and investment aid were provided, chiefly for the purchase of harvesting machinery. In both Greece and Spain, all growers now have access to harvesting machinery. The producer groups manage this machinery pool. Since 1992, the production aid scheme has encouraged the creation of producer groups and has facilitated their operation. In Greece, 20 ginning cooperatives, accounting for about a quarter of all the ginning undertakings in the country (around 75 in all) own about one third of the ginning capacity. The total ginning capacity does not pose any special difficulties given the level of production in Greece. In Spain, the 10 ginning cooperatives account for almost half of the 22 undertakings. There is surplus ginning capacity in relation to the supply from producers, particularly noticeable in recent marketing years (1993/94 to 1995/96) because of the persisting drought. Monitoring the scheme focuses mainly on the following points: – – – – the producer makes a declaration of area sown, which is included in the area aid application provided for under the integrated administration and control system (IACS), producers and ginning undertakings conclude contracts, which include an undertaking to pay the minimum price, the unginned cotton is placed in supervised storage at the ginning undertaking, stock accounts are kept undertaking. for products entering and leaving the ginning 3 By checking these different points it is possible to determine the origin of each batch of unginned cotton, verify whether the quantities tally with the declared areas sown and identify which bales of cotton fibre are produced from which unginned cotton. Checks on the application of the rules under the EAGGF accounts clearance procedure led to a financial correction amounting to 10% of the expenditure declared by Greece for the 1991 and 1992 financial years. In its Statement of Assurance for 1994, the Court of Auditors also reported shortcomings in compliance with certain provisions among Greek ginning undertakings. A financial correction of EUR 3. 2 million was applied. Since 1994, inspection procedures in Greece have been reviewed and the current view of the EAGGF accounts clearance department is that inspection arrangements have improved. All in all, the present system enables a fairly high quality of cotton to be produced and permits the ginned cotton to be sold at the world price. However, the latest figures available show a disturbing rise in areas sown and output. This suggests that situations could arise which would make it difficult to respect overall budgetary discipline and to take environmental considerations into account. In order to overcome this problem, the budget neutrality of the cotton regime must be strengthened. It is therefore proposed to increase the percentage reduction in the guide price, without, however, amending the other components of the stabiliser mechanism. 3. DIRECT AID TO PRODUCERS Disputes often arise between producers and ginning undertakings because of the time it takes for the advances on the aid paid to the processor to be passed on to the producer in the minimum price, and because of the adjustments to the minimum price according to the quality of the cotton. From the 1995/96 marketing year, the Community grading scale for increasing and reducing the minimum price according to quality was abolished in the interests of subsidiarity and at the unanimous request of all operators in the sector. As things now stand, when the quality of the cotton delivered does not correspond to the standard quality, the price agreed is adjusted proportionally by common consent between the contracting parties. In Greece, where there is no interbranch agreement, the intervention agency has imposed a scale of increases and reductions. It also charges a 1% levy on payments made by ginning undertakings to producers, thereby throwing the system out of balance. While it is both difficult and inappropriate to regulate contractual relations between producers and ginning undertakings at Community level, it is important that the aid be paid in full to the beneficiaries in order for it to accomplish its role of bridging the gap between the guide price and the world market price. It is also worthwhile clarifying certain rules that must be complied with, such as the link there should be between the quality of unginned and ginned cotton, and the obligation to pay an advance on the minimum price. In these circumstances, and to ensure that the aid more directly benefits producers, Greece has asked whether it would be possible to grant the aid directly to those producer organisations (POs) that pay the minimum price to their members, have ginning carried out under contract, and market the ginned cotton. This arrangement would be optional and, at least to start with, very few POs would qualify. None of the POs without ginning facilities currently market their ginned cotton. 4 There are two main obstacles to the payment of direct aid to POs on the above terms: – – in order to market ginned cotton, a PO must have sufficient capital to be able to guarantee the bank loans necessary to pay the minimum price; they must also have marketing equipment and premises (storage, handling, communications) and qualified staff, particularly managers able to monitor the world market, manage variable aid and conclude sales contracts. There is a considerable risk that the payment of the minimum price or the repayment of bank loans would place such POs in financial difficulties, the quantities of unginned and ginned cotton on which the aid is paid would still have to be checked mainly on the premises of the ginning undertaking carrying out the contract work. If the checks at ginning undertakings revealed irregularities, the POs could disclaim responsibility. It therefore appears that producer groups that do not carry out their own ginning do not have the resources required to manage the variable aid arrangements under the current regime. The matter should be re-examined in a few years, in the light of the experience gained by groups that have their cotton ginned under contract against reimbursement of the aid received by the ginning undertakings under the rules introduced at the beginning of the 1998/99 marketing year. To date, this option has not been used. In the light of the above, the current scheme whereby the aid is granted to ginning undertakings for the quantity they produce should be maintained. 4. REGIONALISATION OF PENALTIES Greece wishes to establish the principle of regionalised cotton cultivation in order to prevent it from spreading to non-traditional zones in regions where water consumption is a source of conflict and poses a problem of environmental management. In Spain, cotton growing is concentrated almost exclusively in Andalusia. The relationship between cotton and the environment is an ambivalent one. On the one hand, cotton is the most important textile fibre of plant origin and it is mainly because it is "natural" that it is perceived as superior to the competing synthetic fibres. On the other hand, however, the environmental consequences of cotton cultivation are sometimes condemned because of the high water consumption, the use of pesticides and fertilisers and the trend towards a one-crop economy in certain areas: the absence of crop rotation is liable to exhaust the soil and increase the dangers of plant diseases in the long term. Many initiatives are already being undertaken throughout the sector to palliate these drawbacks. Drip irrigation and sowing under plastic help rationalise water consumption. Greece has initiated a programme to reduce the use of fertilisers and introduce drip irrigation, particularly on areas sown to cotton. In Spain, the "Asociaciones para Tratamientos Integrados del Algodón" (ATRIAS) have launched initiatives to cut production costs and introduce integrated pest control. to regionalise the guaranteed national quantity (GNQ) with The Greek request guaranteed regional quantities (GRQs) could be a source of complication, risk for the EAGGF and conflicts between regions in relation to the following: 5 – – – regional production estimates and advances on aid, the reallocation of GRQs not fully utilised in some regions, verifying the origin of unginned cotton, which could qualify for different levels of aid per tonne. Another solution put forward by Greece involves individual quotas. Under this proposal, the aid would continue to be paid to ginning undertakings, as it is under the present regime, with a GNQ for all the cotton produced. Producers would continue to be paid the minimum price, minus an appropriate reduction, for individual quotas which together would give a total figure equal to estimated production. Any cotton produced in excess of the individual quotas would not be subject to the minimum price requirement. The precedents for this type of system, particularly as applied to milk and durum wheat, have shown it to be complicated. There are two main practical difficulties: – – managing the individual quotas, which would have to be reallocated every year, is a source of serious conflicts, the presence on the market of cheap ginned cotton giving ginning undertakings the same entitlement to aid as cotton at the minimum price seems likely to encourage deflections of normal marketing flows as well as fraud. Either of the two solutions proposed, whether regionalisation of GNQs or individual quotas, would therefore result in additional complexity, more disputes and increased danger of fraud. However, in order to attain the objective of checking the spread of is proposed that Member States introduce the appropriate cotton cultivation, environmental measures and restrict the surface areas or zones where cotton cultivation is eligible for aid on the basis of objective environmental criteria. In the light of the above, the proposal is in line with the general environmental objectives in the Agenda 2000 decisions. It is proposed that Member States send the Commission a report before 31 December 2003 on the environmental situation in the sector. it 5. OTHER ADMINISTRATION AND CONTROL CONSIDERATIONS One potential source of difficulties in the way the current regime operates lies in the detailed rules for fixing the aid. Under the current regime, the aid to be granted is the amount valid on the date when the ginning undertaking makes its application. Ginning undertakings can make one or more applications, for one or more quantities, at any time between the date on which the cotton enters the undertaking (not before 1 September) the latest. This arrangement enables ginning and the following 31 March at undertakings to receive an amount that takes account of the world market price on the date of conclusion of the sales contract for the fibre produced. The rules prevent beneficiaries from making an aid application before they are actually in possession of the product, and discourages contracts from being concluded on the world market before the harvest period. One proposal would be to extend the period during which the amount of the aid is fixed, but this would mean severing the link between calculating the quantities eligible for the aid and the physical check on each batch of cotton that enters an undertaking. 6 For example, aid applications for quantities specified by the applicant would involve the amounts in force at the time of application, between 1 July and the following 31 March. The total quantity covered by applications would have to correspond to the total quantity of cotton entering the undertaking between 1 September and the following 31 March. By contrast, the advances on aid would continue to be based, as they are today, on the quantities actually placed under supervision in the undertaking concerned. 6. PROPOSED MEASURES Having examined the operation of the cotton regime, the Commission's main proposals are as follows: – – – – – – – maintain the current aid scheme, provide for aid to be granted in full to beneficiaries and lay down certain rules on payments and adjustment of the minimum price, increase the percentage reduction of the guide price, provide for Member States to draw up objective environmental criteria and, where necessary, restrict eligibility for the aid to certain areas, provide for a report from the Member States on the impact on the sector of national environmental measures, extend the period during which aid applications may be made under an updated system for the calculation of eligible quantities, simplify the Community rules by bringing the principles governing the cotton regime together in Protocol 4 and the legislative provisions on the production aid for cotton together in a single Council Regulation. The proposed measures will simplify not only the rules but also the conditions for fixing and granting the aid, which is mostly paid to small and medium-sized undertakings. They also contribute to improving respect for the environment and for budgetary discipline. This set of measures will contribute to the general goal of uniform application of the rules governing agricultural production. They fall within the exclusive competence of the Community. 7 1999/0201 (CNS) Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION adjusting, for the sixth time, the system of aid for cotton introduced by Protocol 4 annexed to the Act of Accession of Greece THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to the Act of Accession of Greece2, and in particular paragraph 11 of Protocol 4 on cotton, as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1553/953, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission4, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament5, Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee6, Whereas: (1) (2) 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Examination of the operation of the system of aid for cotton and of the support scheme for arable crops, as provided for in paragraph 11 of Protocol 4, reveals a need for adjustment of the system for cotton. Measures concerning cotton are set out in Protocol 4, in Council Regulation (EC) No 1554/95 of 29 June 1995 laying down the general rules for the system of aid for cotton and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 2169/817, as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1419/988, and in Council Regulation (EEC) No 1964/87 of 2 July 1987 adjusting the system of aid for cotton introduced by Protocol No 4 annexed to the Act of Accession of Greece9, as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1553/95. The system provided for in Protocol 4 annexed to the Act of Accession of Greece should be maintained, in particular the opportunity for the Council to adjust the system, and, in the interests of simplification, the implementing measures concerning cotton production aid should be brought together in one Council Regulation, OJ L 291, 19. 11. 1979, p. 174. OJ L 148, 30. 6. 1995, p. 45. OJ L 148, 30. 6. 1995, p. 48. OJ L 190, 4. 7. 1998, p. 4. OJ L 184, 3. 7. 1987, p. 14. 8 HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Paragraph 3 of Protocol 4 is replaced by the following: Article 1 "3. The system referred to in paragraph 2 shall include the grant of an aid to production. " Paragraph 6 of Protocol 4 is replaced by the following: Article 2 "6. The Council, acting by a qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the European Parliament, shall decide on the adjustments necessary to the system introduced pursuant to this Protocol and shall adopt the general rules necessary for implementing the provisions of this Protocol. " Paragraphs 7, 8, 8a, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of Protocol 4 are deleted. Article 3 Paragraph 13 of Protocol 4 becomes paragraph 7. Article 4 Article 5 This Regulation shall enter into force on the seventh day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. It shall apply from 1 September 2000. This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. Done at Brussels, For the Council The President 9 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5. 0 5. 1 6. 0 6. 1 FINANCIAL STATEMENT BUDGET HEADING: B1-141 APPROPRIATIONS: EUR 812 million TITLE: Proposal for a Council Regulation adjusting, for the sixth time, the system of aid for cotton introduced by Protocol 4 annexed to the Act of Accession of Greece. LEGAL BASIS: Protocol 4 annexed to the Act of Accession of Greece AIMS OF THE MEASURE: To update Protocol 4. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS EXPENDITURE - CHARGED TO THE EC BUDGET (REFUNDS/INTERVENTIONS) NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION OTHER REVENUE - OWN RESOURCES OF THE EC (LEVIES/CUSTOMS DUTIES) NATIONAL - - - 5. 0. 1 ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE 5. 1. 1 ESTIMATED REVENUE 5. 2 METHOD OF CALCULATION: PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS (EUR million) CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR (1999) (EUR million) FOLLOWING FINANCIAL YEAR (2000) (EUR million) - - - - - - 2001 2002 2003 2004 - - - - - - - - CAN THE PROJECT BE FINANCED FROM APPROPRIATIONS ENTERED IN THE RELEVANT CHAPTER OF THE CURRENT BUDGET? YES / NO CAN THE PROJECT BE FINANCED BY TRANSFER BETWEEN CHAPTERS OF THE CURRENT BUDGET? YES / NO YES / NO YES / NO 6. 2 IS A SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET NECESSARY? 6. 3 WILL FUTURE BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS BE NECESSARY? OBSERVATIONS: The measure as such has no financial impact compared to the current situation. 10 1999/0202 (CNS) Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION on production aid for cotton THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to the Act of Accession of Greece, and in particular the first subparagraph of paragraph 6 of Protocol 4 on cotton10, as last amended by Regulation (EC) No. /199911, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission12, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament13, Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee14, Whereas: (1) (2) (3) 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Examination of the operation of the aid scheme provided for in paragraph 11 of Protocol 4 reveals a need to maintain the existing arrangements for cotton, but with certain adjustments. The measures relating to cotton are laid down in Protocol 4, Council Regulation (EC) No 1554/95 of 29 June 1995 laying down the general rules for the system of aid for cotton and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 2169/8115, as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1419/9816 and Council Regulation (EEC) No 1964/87 of 2 July 1987 adjusting the system of aid for cotton introduced by Protocol 4 annexed to the Act of Accession of Greece17, as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1553/9518. The arrangements provided for in Protocol 4 annexed to the Act of Accession of Greece should be maintained, particularly the possibility for the Council to adjust the scheme, and, in the interests of simplification, all the implementing measures needed for the grant of the aid should be brought together in a single Council Regulation. for Paragraph 6 of implementing the scheme must be adopted. The production aid provided for in the Protocol stipulates that the necessary measures OJ L 291, 19. 11. 1979, p. 174. See this OJ. OJ L 148, 30. 6. 1995, p. 45. OJ L 190, 4. 7. 1998, p. 4. OJ L 184, 3. 7. 1987, p. 14. OJ L 148, 30. 6. 1995, p. 45. 11 (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) paragraph 3 of Protocol 4 is currently based on a system, in the framework of guaranteed national quantities, that guarantees a minimum price to producers and, through the aid paid to ginning undertakings, makes up the difference between the guide price and the world market price. In the light of experience, the foundations of the system and its various components should be maintained. The guide price, the minimum price payable to producers and the guaranteed national quantities should be fixed at levels that maintain the balance achieved between crops and enable operators to run medium-term production and processing programmes. The provisions for determining the world market price for unginned cotton should be maintained. This price may be established on the basis of the relationship between the price agreed for ginned cotton and the price calculated for unginned cotton. When calculating the price of ginned cotton, account should be taken of offers made on the world market and of quotations on those exchanges that are important for international trade. The current mechanism, whereby when a certain production quantity is exceeded the aid is reduced proportionately in the Member States responsible for the overrun, should be maintained in order to ensure that penalties are applied fairly. However, the reduction in the guide price may be limited provided that, taking account in particular of the average world market price, a certain level of expenditure is not exceeded. The consequences of the guaranteed national quantities mechanism must be applied to both the minimum price and the aid. The percentage reduction in the guide price which now applies, equal to half the overrun in the national guaranteed quantity, may under certain circumstances threaten budgetary discipline. That percentage should therefore be increased. To ensure that the system is balanced, the production aid should henceforth be paid in full to beneficiaries, without prejudice to the various reductions provided for by the Community rules. The current state of production structures is such that the aid should be granted to ginning undertakings, which then pay producers a price at least equal to the minimum price and an advance on that price, and which accept certain conditions regarding checks on the quantities eligible for aid. The aid varies in amount according to the world market price and needs to be applied to the quantities of cotton eligible for aid depending on the actual period when the aid application is made. The current scheme allows ginning undertakings to fix that amount, in particular, of the date of conclusion of sales contracts for the ginned cotton in their possession. In order better to facilitate the disposal of ginned cotton on the world market, it is advisable in future to allow contracts to be concluded before the harvesting period and, consequently, to extend the period during which aid applications may be submitted. in their aid applications, on the basis, (10) Contractual relations between producers and ginning undertakings should not be regulated at Community level. The principle of common consent between the contracting parties should be maintained but spelt out in greater detail. 12 (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16) The amount of aid to be granted cannot be known until actual production in each Member State has been determined. To offset the adverse effects of late payment of aid, provision should continue to be made for part of the aid to be paid in advance. The producer Member States must set up the control arrangements necessary to ensure that the aid system operates correctly, using where applicable the integrated administration and control system provided for in Council Regulation (EEC) No 3508/92 of 27 November 1992 establishing an integrated administration and control system for certain Community aid schemes19, as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 820/9720. The cultivation of cotton in regions not suited to it is likely to have harmful effects on the environment as well as on the agricultural economy of those regions where this crop is important. In order to take account of environmental objectives, the appropriate the Member States should determine and adopt land for cotton environmental measures to regulate the use of agricultural production. In future, the Member States must introduce measures to restrict the crop under objective environmental criteria and remind producers of the need to comply with the legislation in force. The Member States should draw up a report on the impact on the cotton sector of national environmental measures at a time when an assessment is possible. In order to facilitate the implementation and administration of the aid system, provision should be made for a procedure establishing close cooperation between the Member States and the Commission within a management committee. The Management Committee for Flax and Hemp provided for in Council Regulation (EEC) No 1308/70 of 29 June 1970 on the common organisation of the market in flax and hemp21, as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 3290/9422, should be used for that purpose. Since the measures for the implementation of this Regulation are management measures within the meaning of Article 2 of Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission23, they should be adopted by use of the management procedure provided for in Article 4 of that Decision. In order to ensure that Community expenditure linked to the application of the measures provided for in this Regulation is subject to financial and monetary rules and adequate procedures, and in view of the specifically agricultural nature of unginned cotton, Council Regulation (EC) No 1258/1999 of 17 May 1999 on the financing of the common agricultural policy24 and Council Regulation (EC) No 2799/98 of 15 December 1998 establishing agrimonetary arrangements for the euro25 should apply in this area. 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 OJ L 355, 5. 12. 1992, p. 1. OJ L 117, 7. 5. 1997, p. 1. OJ L 146, 4. 7. 1970, p. 1. OJ L 349, 31. 12. 1994, p. 105. OJ L 184, 17. 7. 1999, p. 23. OJ L 160, 26. 6. 1999, p. 103. OJ L 349, 24. 12. 1998, p. 1. 13 (17) The adjustments to the scheme provided for in this Regulation should be implemented as smoothly as possible and transitional measures may therefore be required, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: CHAPTER I: GENERAL PRINCIPLES Article 1 1. 2. This Regulation lays down the measures needed for the grant of the production aid provided for in paragraph 3 of Protocol 4 annexed to the Act of Accession of Greece. For the purposes of this Regulation: (a) (b) "unginned cotton" means the fruit of the cotton plant (Gossypium) which has reached maturity and been harvested and which contains pod and leaf fragments and soil matter; "ginned cotton" means cotton fibres (other than linters and waste), neither carded nor combed, from which the seeds and most of the pod and leaf fragments and soil matter have been removed. 3. The marketing year shall run from 1 September to 31 August. Article 2 1. 2. The amount of the production aid for unginned cotton shall be fixed by the Commission on the basis of the difference between: – – a guide price fixed for unginned cotton in accordance with Article 3(1) and Article 7, and the world market price determined in accordance with Article 4. The aid shall be granted for unginned cotton purchased at a price at least equal to the minimum price, fixed in accordance with Article 3(2) and Article 9. CHAPTER II: PRICE MECHANISM Article 3 1. The guide price shall be set at EUR 106. 30 per 100 kg of unginned cotton. This price shall relate to cotton: – – of sound and fair merchantable quality, containing 10% moisture and 3% impurities, 14 – with the characteristics needed to produce, after ginning, 32% grade 5 fibres (white middling) 28 mm in length (1-3/32"). The minimum price shall be set at EUR 100. 99 per 100 kg of unginned cotton for the quality selected for the ex holding guide price. Article 4 The world market price for unginned cotton shall be determined by taking account of the historical relationship between the world market price for ginned cotton and the price calculated for unginned cotton. It shall be fixed periodically by the Commission on the basis of the world market price for ginned cotton referred to in Article 5. If the world market price for unginned cotton cannot be determined in accordance with paragraph 1, it shall be established on the basis of the most recent price determined. Article 5 The world market price for ginned cotton shall be determined on the basis of a grade 5 (white middling) product with a fibre length of 28 mm (1-3/32"), account being taken of the offers made on the world market and of the quotations on one or more European exchanges that are important for international trade. This price shall be determined using the most favourable offers and quotations among those that are considered representative of the real market price cif for the product delivered to a Community port. Where the offers and quotations recorded do not satisfy the requirements referred to in paragraph 1, the necessary adjustments shall be made. 2. 1. 2. 1. 2. CHAPTER III: STABILISER MECHANISM Article 6 A guaranteed national quantity for unginned cotton shall be introduced, equal for each marketing year to: – – – 782 000 tonnes for Greece, 249 000 tonnes for Spain, 1 500 tonnes in each of the other Member States. 15 Article 7 Without prejudice to Article 8, if during a marketing year the sum of actual production in Spain and Greece exceeds 1 031 000 tonnes, the guide price referred to in Article 3(1) shall be reduced for that marketing year in any Member State where actual production exceeds the guaranteed national quantity. The guide price shall be reduced for the Member State concerned by a percentage equal to 60% of the percentage by which its guaranteed national quantity has been exceeded. However, if actual production in either Spain or Greece is lower than its guaranteed national quantity, the difference between the total actual production of the two Member States and 1 031 000 tonnes shall be expressed as a percentage of the guaranteed national quantity that has been exceeded, and the guide price shall be reduced by 60% of that percentage. If during a marketing year: Article 8 – – – Article 7 has been applied, the weighted average of the world market price adopted in order to fix the amount of aid is greater than EUR 30. 20 per 100 kg, and the total budget expenditure on the aid system is less than EUR 770 million, the budget remainder referred to in the third indent shall be used in order to increase aid in each Member State where actual production exceeds its guaranteed national quantity. However, the amount of aid as increased under the first subparagraph may not exceed: – – either the amount of aid calculated without application of Article 7, or the amount of aid calculated after application of Article 7 on the basis of 1 120 000 tonnes of unginned cotton subdivided into a guaranteed national quantity of 270 000 tonnes for Spain and 850 000 tonnes for Greece. The minimum price referred to in Article 3(2) shall be reduced by the same amount as the guide price under Article 7. Article 9 CHAPTER IV: AID BENEFICIARIES Article 10 The aid shall be paid in full to the beneficiaries referred to in Articles 11 and 12 who make an application. 16 Article 11 In order to receive aid, cotton ginning undertakings other than those referred to in Article 12 must: (a) have submitted a signed contract stipulating, in particular, payment to the producer of a price at least equal to the minimum price and containing a clause specifying that: (b) (c) (d) 1. – – where Article 7 is applied, the agreed price will be adjusted in consequence of the effect of the application of that Article on the aid, if the quality of the cotton delivered differs from the quality referred to in Article 3(2), the price agreed will be adjusted by common consent between the contracting parties in proportion to the effect of that difference in quality on the price of the ginned product in relation to the price referred to in Article 5; have paid an advance on the minimum price of an amount to be determined by common consent between the contracting parties, subject to conditions to be laid down; keep stock accounts on ginned and unginned cotton that satisfy requirements to be laid down and provide the other supporting documents necessary so that entitlement to the aid can be checked; furnish proof that the cotton delivered under the contract is the subject of the declaration of area sown referred to in Article 15(2). Article 12 In order to receive the aid, cotton ginning undertakings that gin cotton on behalf of individual producers or producer groups meeting the criteria laid down in paragraph 4 of Protocol 4 must: (a) have submitted a statement, approved by the producer or producer group concerned, giving details of the conditions under which the ginning is carried out and how the aid is administered; (b) undertake to pass on the full amount of the aid to the individual producers or, where applicable, the producer groups concerned; (c) satisfy the conditions referred to in Article 11(c); (d) (e) furnish proof that the cotton referred to in the statement referred to in (a) has been the subject of the declaration of area sown referred to in Article 15(2); furnish proof that producer groups are obliged to comply with an undertaking equivalent to the clause in the contract referred to in Article 11(a) and an undertaking by such groups to keep and produce supporting documents concerning payment of the minimum price to their members. 17 2. 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. Failure to comply with the clause or undertaking referred to in paragraph 1(e) by a producer group having ginning carried out on its behalf shall be considered a failure to meet the criteria referred to in paragraph 4 of Protocol 4. CHAPTER V: GRANT OF THE AID Article 13 The amount of the aid to be paid shall be the amount applicable on the day the application for aid is made. Aid applications shall be lodged, together with a security where required, during a period to be determined, for a quantity of unginned cotton which must enter the cotton ginning undertaking after the beginning of the marketing year concerned and before a date to be specified. Entitlement to the aid shall be acquired when the cotton is ginned. However, aid may be paid in advance, at the request of the interested party, from 16 October following the start of the marketing year, when the unginned cotton enters the cotton ginning undertaking, provided an adequate security has been lodged. The amount of the advance shall be calculated in accordance with paragraph 3. The balance of the aid shall be paid before the end of the marketing year at the latest, once any adjustments to the aid resulting from application of Article 7 have been determined. The amount of the advance shall be equal to the guide price referred to in Article 3(1), minus the world price and reduced further by an amount calculated in accordance with Article 7, but replacing actual production by the estimated production fixed in accordance with the first indent of Article 17(2), plus 15%. From 16 December following the start of the marketing year, the amount of the advance referred to in the first subparagraph shall be replaced by a revised amount calculated using the same method but based on the revised production estimate fixed in accordance with the second indent of Article 17(2), plus at least 7,5%. Advances paid between 16 October and 15 December shall be increased accordingly, except where the difference between the two amounts is less than EUR 1/100 kg. Article 14 The aid shall be paid only for products of sound and fair merchantable quality. If the quantity of ginned cotton is less than or equal to 33% of the quantity of unginned cotton that has entered the cotton ginning undertaking, aid shall be granted for the quantity of ginned cotton, multiplied by 100 and divided by 32. 18 If the quantity of ginned cotton is greater than 33% of the quantity of unginned cotton that has entered the cotton ginning undertaking, aid shall be granted for the quantity of unginned cotton, multiplied by 33 and divided by 32. 3. The quantity of ginned cotton shall be equal to its weight, adjusted where necessary for any difference between: – and – the percentage of impurities recorded compared to the representative percentage for grade 5 the percentage moisture content representative of commercial fibre. recorded compared to the level Article 15 1. 2. The producer Member States shall set up a system of penalties and controls enabling them, in particular, to ensure that the minimum price is complied with and to ascertain: – – – the quantity of unginned Community cotton which has entered each cotton ginning undertaking, the quantity of unginned Community cotton which has been ginned, the quantity of ginned cotton obtained in each cotton ginning undertaking from the cotton referred to in the first indent. The Member States shall establish a system of declarations of the areas sown, in particular to ensure that cotton covered by aid applications is of the origin stated. 1. Member States shall determine, for the cotton sector: Article 16 – – – measures to improve the environment, in particular cultivation techniques to reduce the negative impact on the environment, research programmes to develop more environmentally friendly growing methods, the means of informing producers of the results of such research and the advantages of using the techniques concerned. 2. The Member States shall take the environmental measures they consider suitable in view of the specific situation of the agricultural areas used for cotton production. In addition, the Member States shall take the necessary steps to remind producers that they are required to comply with environmental legislation. 19 3. The Member States shall, where appropriate, restrict the areas eligible for the production aid for unginned cotton on the basis of objective criteria relating to: 4. 1. – – – – the agricultural economy of those regions where cotton is a major crop, the soil and climate in the areas in question, the management of irrigation water, rotation systems and cultivation methods environment. likely to improve the Before 31 December 2003, the producer Member States shall send the Commission a report on the environmental situation in the cotton sector and the impact of national measures adopted in accordance with paragraphs 1, 2 and 3. CHAPTER VI: GENERAL Article 17 For the detailed rules for the implementation of this Regulation and the information to be forwarded by the Member States to the Commission, the Commission shall be assisted by the Management Committee for Flax and Hemp established by Article 12 of Regulation (EEC) No 1308/70. Such rules shall concern, inter alia, all the necessary inspection measures to protect the European Community's financial interests against fraud and other irregularities. These measures may be based on the integrated administration and control system established by Regulation (EEC) No 3508/92. Where reference is made to this subparagraph, the management procedure laid down in Article 4 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply in compliance with Article 7(3) thereof. The period provided for in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be one month. 2. In accordance with the procedure referred to in paragraph 1, the Commission shall fix for each Member State concerned, before dates to be specified: – – – taking account of crop forecasts, the estimated production referred to in the first subparagraph of Article 13(3) and the resultant provisional reduction in the guide price, taking account of the progress of the harvest, the revised production estimate referred to in the second subparagraph of Article 13(3) and the new resultant provisional reduction in the guide price, taking account in particular of the quantities on which aid has been applied for, actual production in the current marketing year, together with the reduction in the guide price referred to in Article 7 and the increase in the aid referred to in Article 8. 20 Article 18 Regulations (EC) No 2799/98 and No 1258/1999 on the financing of the common agricultural policy shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the arrangements provided for in this Regulation. Article 19 If it proves necessary to introduce transitional measures to facilitate implementation of the adjustments to the system laid down by this Regulation, such measures shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 17(1). They shall apply until the end of the 2000/2001 marketing year at the latest. Regulations (EEC) No 1964/87 and (EC) No 1554/95 are hereby repealed. Article 20 Article 21 This Regulation shall enter into force on the seventh day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. It shall apply from 1 September 2000. However, Article 19 shall apply from the date of entry into force of this Regulation. This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. Done at Brussels, For the Council The President 21 FINANCIAL STATEMENT BUDGET HEADING: B1-141 APPROPRIATIONS: EUR 862 mill. (LA) TITLE: Proposal for a Council Regulation on production aid for cotton. LEGAL BASIS: Protocol 4 annexed to the Act of Accession of Greece AIMS OF THE MEASURE: with the Council’s instructions of June 1998. Amendment of the common organisation of the market in cotton in accordance PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS (EUR million) 770 CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR (1999) (EUR million) Not applicable FOLLOWING FINANCIAL YEAR (2000) (EUR million) Not applicable FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS EXPENDITURE - CHARGED TO THE EC BUDGET (REFUNDS/INTERVENTION) NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION OTHER OWN RESOURCES OF THE EC (LEVIES/CUSTOMS DUTIES) NATIONAL - - REVENUE - - 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5. 0 5. 1 5. 0. 1 ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE 5. 1. 1 ESTIMATED REVENUE 5. 2 METHOD OF CALCULATION: - 2001 770 2002 770 2003 770 2004 770 6. 0 6. 1 CAN THE PROJECT BE FINANCED FROM APPROPRIATIONS ENTERED IN THE RELEVANT CHAPTER OF THE CURRENT BUDGET? CAN THE PROJECT BE FINANCED BY TRANSFER BETWEEN CHAPTERS OF THE CURRENT BUDGET? 6. 2 IS A SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET NECESSARY? 6. 3 WILL FUTURE BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS BE NECESSARY? OBSERVATIONS: YES / NO YES / NO YES / NO YES / NO The proposal amends the method in force for calculating the aid to increase from 50% to 60% the amount of the overrun in the MGQs to be taken into account to reduce the guide price. As all the other components remain unchanged, with an overrun at the current level (between 50% and 60%) and a world market price of between EUR 302 and EUR 347 a tonne (in line with the average in recent years), total expenditure stands at EUR 770 million since the system of increases applies. For higher prices, the second ceiling applies, reducing expenditure progressively, as in the past. However, for prices lower than EUR 302 a tonne, the proposal enables expenditure to be reduced considerably. By way of an example, at the (very low) price of EUR 221 a tonne recorded as the weighted average in 1998/99, total expenditure for production used for the 1999/2000 harvest would be EUR 772 million instead of around EUR 872 million. 22


title: Beschluß Nr. 69/2000/EG des Europäischen Parlaments und des Rates vom 13. Dezember 1999 über die Änderung des Grundbeschlusses über das Programm Jugend für Europa III zwecks Beteiligung der Türkei

eurovoc_concepts:
Türkiye
action programme
aid recipient
international cooperation
young person
youth exchange scheme

formats: html pdf print

text: 14. 1. 2000 DE Amtsblatt der Europäischen Gemeinschaften L 10/3 BESCHLUSS Nr. 69/2000/EG DES EUROPÄISCHEN PARLAMENTS UND DES RATES vom 13. Dezember 1999 über die Änderung des Grundbeschlusses über das Programm Jugend für Europa III zwecks Beteiligung der Türkei DAS EUROPÄISCHE PARLAMENT UND DER RAT DER EUROPÄISCHEN UNION — BESCHLIESSEN: Artikel 1 Artikel 7 Absatz 4 Satz 2 des Beschlusses Nr. 818/95/EG erhält folgende Fassung: „Dieses Programm steht Zypern, Malta und der Türkei auf der Grundlage zusätzlicher Mittel gemäß den mit diesen Ländern zu vereinbarenden Verfahren zur Teilnahme offen, wobei von den für die EFTA-Staaten geltenden Regeln ausgegangen wird und die Bestimmungen von Artikel 3 der geltenden Haushaltsordnung einzuhalten sind. “ Artikel 2 Dieser Beschluß sieht die frühestmögliche vollständige oder teilweise Beteiligung der Türkei an dem Programm „Jugend für Europa“ in seiner derzeitigen Form in dem Maße vor, wie die Verhandlungen es erlauben, sowie die Einleitung von Vorberei- tungs- oder Sensibilisierungsmaßnahmen im Hinblick auf diese Beteiligung oder die Beteiligung im Rahmen des künftigen Rahmenprogramms (2000-2004). Artikel 3 Das Ziel der Beteiligung der Türkei an dem genannten Programm ist es, einen echten Austausch zwischen den Jugend- lichen beider Seiten und ihrem Betreuungspersonal zu ermögli- chen, unter Respektierung ihrer sprachlichen, bildungsmäßigen und kulturellen Vielfalt gemäß Artikel 149 Absatz 1 des Vertrages sowie unter Wahrung der Rechte von Minderheiten. Artikel 4 Das Europäische Parlament wird über die verschiedenen Maßnahmen zur Durchführung dieses Beschlusses auf dem laufenden gehalten. Artikel 5 Dieser Beschluß tritt am Tag seiner Veröffentlichung im Amts- blatt der Europäischen Gemeinschaften in Kraft. Geschehen zu Brüssel am 13. Dezember 1999. Im Namen des Europäischen Parla- ments Im Namen des Rates Die Präsidentin N. FONTAINE Der Präsident S. HASSI gestützt auf den Vertrag zur Gründung der Europäischen Gemeinschaft, insbesondere auf die Artikel 149 und 150, auf Vorschlag der Kommission (1), nach Stellungnahme des Wirtschafts- und Sozialausschusses (2), nach Stellungnahme des Ausschusses der Regionen (3), gemäß dem Verfahren des Artikels 251 des Vertrags (4), in Erwägung nachstehender Gründe: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Durch den Beschluß Nr. 819/95/EG des Europäischen Parlaments und des Rates vom 14. März 1995 wurde die dritte Phase des Programms „Jugend für Europa“ (5) ange- nommen, an dem die Türkei nicht teilnimmt. Die Türkei ist ein assoziiertes Land, dessen Bindungen zur Gemeinschaft durch die Vollendung der Zollunion wesentlich gestärkt wurden. Es erscheint angebracht, die im Rahmen der Zollunion eingerichteten wirtschaftlichen und handelspolitischen Beziehungen durch eine engere Zusammenarbeit in den Bereichen Bildung, Ausbildung und Jugend auszubauen. Es ist mit beträchtlichen Zeitspannen zwischen der Änderung des Beschlusses über das genannte Programm, die Gegenstand des vorliegenden Beschlusses ist und die Beteiligung der Türkei ermöglicht, und dem Abschluß der Verhandlungen über die (insbesondere finanziellen) Modalitäten der Beteiligung der Türkei einerseits und zwischen dem Abschluß dieser Verhandlungen und der effektiven Beteiligung zu rechnen. der Türkei andererseits Dennoch stellt eine solche grundsätzliche Öffnung nicht nur ein offenkundiges Signal für die mehrmals wieder- holte Bereitschaft der Europäischen Union zum Ausbau einer sektoriellen Zusammenarbeit mit diesem Land dar, sondern ermöglicht auch die Übernahme von Vorberei- tungs- und Sensibilisierungsmaßnahmen im Hinblick auf eine vollständige Beteiligung an dem Programm oder an dem künftigen Rahmenprogramm, das derzeit ausgear- beitet wird — (1) ABl. C 186 vom 26. 6. 1996, S. 9. (2) ABl. C 158 vom 26. 5. 1997, S. 74. (3) ABl. C 293 vom 13. 10. 1999, S. 23. (4) Stellungnahme des Europäischen Parlaments vom 25. Februar 1999 (ABl. C 153 vom 1. 6. 1999, S. 19). Gemeinsamer Beschluß des Rates vom 12. Juli 1999 (ABl. C 249 vom 1. 9. 1999, S. 4). Beschluß des Europäischen Parlaments vom 28. Oktober 1999 (noch nicht im Amtsblatt veröffentlicht). (5) ABl. L 87 vom 20. 4. 1995, S. 1


title: SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE P-2423/99 von Mauro Nobilia (UEN) an die Kommission. Müllverbrennungsanlage in Battipaglia.

eurovoc_concepts:
Campania
air quality
environmental impact
environmental protection
location of industry
waste incineration

text: C 219 E/158 Amtsblatt der Europ(cid:228)ischen Gemeinschaften DE 1. 8. 2000 In diesem Zusammenhang ist der Besuch des marokkanischen Premierministers Abderrahmane Youssoufi zu sehen, der sich anl(cid:228)(cid:223)lich des vom Cercle d(cid:146)AmitiØ Euro-Marocain mit Unterst(cid:252)tzung des Vorstands des Europ(cid:228)ischen Parlaments veranstalteten Kolloquiums (cid:252)ber das Thema (cid:132)Marokko-Europa: eine Schicksals- gemeinschaft(cid:147) am 21. Oktober 1999 in Br(cid:252)ssel aufhielt. Premierminister Youssoufi traf bei der Gelegenheit mit dem Kommissionspr(cid:228)sidenten sowie mit dem f(cid:252)r die ausw(cid:228)rtigen Beziehungen zust(cid:228)ndigen Kommissar zusammen und nahm die Gelegenheit wahr, die Entwicklung der europ(cid:228)isch-marokkanischen Beziehungen in der Perspektive des Inkrafttretens des Asso- ziationsabkommens zu er(cid:246)rtern. Mit Blick darauf wird es die Kommission nicht vers(cid:228)umen, die Beziehungen zu Marokko im Rahmen der Partnerschaft Europa-Mittelmeer auszubauen und zu vertiefen. (2000/C 219 E/201) SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE P-2423/99 von Mauro Nobilia (UEN) an die Kommission (13. Dezember 1999) Betrifft: M(cid:252)llverbrennungsanlage in Battipaglia Mit Verf(cid:252)gung Nr. 27/97 billigte die Region Kampanien den Regionalplan f(cid:252)r die M(cid:252)llbeseitigung. In diesem Regionalplan wird die ASI-Zone innerhalb der Gemeinde Battipaglia als geeigneter Standort f(cid:252)r den Bau einer Anlage zur Energiegewinnung mit Hilfe der thermischen M(cid:252)llverwertung ausgewiesen. Der fragliche Standort liegt praktisch fast in unmittelbarer N(cid:228)he des Stadtzentrums und weist folglich eine hohe Bev(cid:246)lkerungsdichte auf. Der Bau einer M(cid:252)llverbrennungsanlage in der ASI-Zone der Gemeinde Battipaglia w(cid:228)re mit erheblichen Auswirkungen auf die Umwelt verbunden und w(cid:252)rde dazu f(cid:252)hren, da(cid:223) die bereits stark gef(cid:228)hrdete Umweltqualit(cid:228)t weiter beeintr(cid:228)chtigt und die (cid:246)kologischen Grenzwerte (cid:252)ber- schritten w(cid:252)rden. Da das Gebiet ferner in starkem Ma(cid:223)e von der Landwirtschaft und vom Fremdenverkehr abh(cid:228)ngt und die K(cid:228)seherstellung eine besondere Rolle einnimmt, w(cid:252)rde der Bau der fraglichen Anlage das wirtschaftliche und soziale Gleichgewicht der gesamten Sele-Ebene ernsthaft gef(cid:228)hrden. Kann die Kommission feststellen: (cid:129) Ob der vorstehend geschilderte Sachverhalt zutrifft? (cid:129) Kann sie mitteilen, ob der Bau der M(cid:252)llverbrennungsanlage in dem genannten Gebiet gegen die Richtlinien 89/369/EWG, 89/429/EWG und 94/67/EWG des Rates (cid:252)ber die Strategie der Gemein- schaft zur M(cid:252)llbeseitigung, die Entschlie(cid:223)ung 24. 2. 1997 des Rates (97/C 76/01) und den Vorschlag f(cid:252)r eine Richtlinie des Rates (cid:252)ber die Verbrennung von Abf(cid:228)llen (KOM(98) 558) sowie die (cid:252)brigen geltenden Gemeinschaftsvorschriften (cid:252)ber den Umweltschutz verst(cid:246)(cid:223)t? (cid:129) Beabsichtigt sie gegebenenfalls, bei der italienischen Regierung vorstellig zu werden, damit ein anderer und besser geeigneter Standort als das ASI-Gebiet in Battipaglia f(cid:252)r den Bau der M(cid:252)llverbrennungs- anlage ausgewiesen wird? Antwort von Frau Wallstr(cid:246)m im Namen der Kommission (11. Januar 2000) Die Richtlinien 89/369/EWG des Rates vom 8. Juni 1989 (cid:252)ber die Verh(cid:252)tung der Luftverunreinigung durch neue Verbrennungsanlagen f(cid:252)r Siedlungsm(cid:252)ll (1), 89/429/EWG des Rates vom 21. Juni 1989 (cid:252)ber die Verringerung der Luftverunreinigung durch bestehende Verbrennungsanlagen f(cid:252)r Siedlungsm(cid:252)ll (2) und 94/67/EG des Rates vom 16. Dezember 1994 (cid:252)ber die Verbrennung gef(cid:228)hrlicher Abf(cid:228)lle (3) gelten nur f(cid:252)r Anlagen, die sich im Betrieb befinden, und somit nicht im Fall Battipaglia (Salerno), da die betreffende Abfallverbrennungsanlage mit energetischer Verwertung bisher noch nicht gebaut wurde. Die vom Herrn Abgeordneten aufgef(cid:252)hrten Entschlie(cid:223)ungen des Rates und Richtlinienvorschl(cid:228)ge haben im vorliegenden Fall keine Rechtskraft. 1. 8. 2000 DE Amtsblatt der Europ(cid:228)ischen Gemeinschaften C 219 E/159 Allerdings ergibt sich aus den vom Herrn Abgeordneten vorgelegten Informationen, da(cid:223) es Probleme mit der Standortwahl geben k(cid:246)nnte, so da(cid:223) nach Ansicht der Kommission im vorliegenden Fall die Richtlinie 97/11/EG des Rates vom 3. M(cid:228)rz 1997 zur ˜nderung der Richtlinie 85/337/EWG (cid:252)ber die Umweltver- tr(cid:228)glichkeitspr(cid:252)fung bei bestimmten (cid:246)ffentlichen und privaten Projekten (4) gilt. Die Kommission wird die erforderlichen Ma(cid:223)nahmen ergreifen, um zu gew(cid:228)hrleisten, da(cid:223) das Gemein- schaftsrecht und insbesondere die Bestimmungen der genannten Richtlinie eingehalten werden. (1) ABl. L 163 vom 14. 6. 1989. (2) ABl. L 203 vom 15. 7. 1989. (3) ABl. L 365 vom 31. 12. 1994. (4) ABl. L 73 vom 14. 3. 1997. (2000/C 219 E/202) SCHRIFTLICHE ANFRAGE P-2424/99 von Roberta Angelilli (NI) an die Kommission (13. Dezember 1999) Betrifft: Anerkennung des Sports im Vertrag Die soziale Funktion des Sports wurde von der Europ(cid:228)ischen Sportcharta von 1992 und von der Erkl(cid:228)rung zum Sport im Vertrag von Amsterdam anerkannt, in dem (cid:132)die gesellschaftliche Bedeutung des Sports(cid:147) unterstrichen wird, (cid:132)insbesondere die Rolle, die dem Sport bei der Identit(cid:228)tsfindung und der Begegnung der Menschen zukommt(cid:147). Aufgrund dieser besonderen Merkmale besitzt der Sport einen absolut originalen und eigenen Wert, der nicht mit anderen wirtschaftlichen Aktivit(cid:228)ten verglichen werden kann, wie es im derzeitigen Regelungsrahmen der Fall ist. Durch das sogenannte Bosman-Urteil des Europ(cid:228)ischen Gerichtshofs vom 15. Dezember 1995 wurden der Transfer und die freie und zahlenm(cid:228)(cid:223)ig unbegrenzte Verpflichtung von Berufssportlern zwischen den einzelnen Mitgliedstaaten m(cid:246)glich. Dies k(cid:246)nnte jedoch eine Gefahr f(cid:252)r die nationale Identifikation der Sportclubs bedeuten sowie zur Verarmung des Jugendsports f(cid:252)hren und das Heranwachsen von Nach- wuchsathleten behindern. Das Subsidiarit(cid:228)tsprinzip w(cid:252)rde eigentlich die Achtung der Autonomie der Sportverb(cid:228)nde und der entsprechenden nationalen Strukturen nahelegen, denen die Regelung dieses Sektors obliegt. Auf dem Europ(cid:228)ischen Rat von Wien vom 11. und 12. Dezember 1998 wurde die Rolle des Sports f(cid:252)r die Gesellschaft anerkannt, und die Kommission wurde ersucht, f(cid:252)r den Europ(cid:228)ischen Rat von Helsinki mit Blick auf die Regierungskonferenz einen Bericht auszuarbeiten. Kann die Kommission angesichts dessen mitteilen: 1. Ob sie Arbeitsgruppen f(cid:252)r die Ausarbeitung dieses Berichts eingesetzt hat? 2. Wurden bereits Fortschritte erzielt, und kann die Kommission den Abschlu(cid:223) der Arbeiten bis zum Gipfel von Helsinki zusichern? 3. H(cid:228)lt die Kommission es mit Blick auf die n(cid:228)chste Regierungskonferenz f(cid:252)r geboten, eine formelle ˜nderung am Vertrag vorzunehmen und Titel XII (ex-Titel IX) einen Artikel hinzuzuf(cid:252)gen, der (cid:129) wie f(cid:252)r die Kultur bereits geschehen (cid:129) die Eigent(cid:252)mlichkeit und die besonderen Bed(cid:252)rfnisse des Sports anerkennt und die notwendige Subsidiarit(cid:228)t des Gemeinschaftshandelns in diesem Bereich unter- streicht? Antwort von Frau Reding im Namen der Kommission (7. Januar 2000) Im Rahmen der Vorbereitungsarbeiten f(cid:252)r den Helsinki-Bericht zum Sport ist die Kommission dem 1. Appell in der (cid:132)Erkl(cid:228)rung zum Sport(cid:147) des Amsterdamer Vertrags gefolgt, bei wichtigen, den Sport betreffenden Fragen die Sportverb(cid:228)nde anzuh(cid:246)ren. Zu diesem Zweck hat die Kommission ein Diskussions- papier ver(cid:246)ffentlicht, das eine Vielzahl an Reaktionen und Kommentaren von seiten der Sportverb(cid:228)nde hervorgerufen hat. Das Papier diente als Grundlage f(cid:252)r die Europ(cid:228)ische Sportkonferenz, die im Mai 1999 in Olympia stattfand. Diese Konferenz stellte f(cid:252)r alle Akteure der Welt des Sports (cid:129) Verb(cid:228)nde, Beh(cid:246)rden, andere Gemeinschaftsinstitutionen, Industrie, Medien (cid:129) eine besondere Gelegenheit dar, ihren Standpunkt zum Thema darzulegen. Die Kommission hat ferner den vom Ausschu(cid:223) der Regionen erstellten Bericht ber(cid:252)cksichtigt


title: SCHRIFTELIJKE VRAAG E-2294/99 van Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) aan de Raad. Wijziging van de EU-chocoladerichtlijn.

eurovoc_concepts:
common commercial policy
confectionery product

text: 24. 10. 2000 NL Publicatieblad van de Europese Gemeenschappen C 303 E/45 De Commissie is van oordeel dat het door de Raad vastgestelde gemeenschappelijk standpunt alle betrokken belangen veiligstelt, ook die van de ontwikkelingslanden. Wat het inhoudelijke aspect betreft, gaat dit gemeenschappelijk standpunt ruimschoots in op de wensen die het Parlement in eerste lezing heeft geuit. Het standpunt is voor een tweede lezing aan het Parlement gestuurd. (1) PB L 228 van 16. 8. 1973. (2) COM(95) 722 def. (2000/C 303 E/040) SCHRIFTELIJKE VRAAG E-2294/99 van Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) aan de Raad (13 december 1999) Betreft: Wijziging van de EU-chocoladerichtlijn De Raad heeft eind oktober een wijziging goedgekeurd van de EU-chocoladerichtlijn waardoor de cacao- norm voor chocolade wordt verlaagd. Zodra de aangepaste richtlijn in werking treedt, mogen chocolade- producenten gebruik maken van goedkopere, cacaovervangende grondstoffen. In acht van de vijftien EU- lidstaten is de benaming (cid:132)chocolade(cid:148) vooralsnog beperkt tot producten met 25 % cacaobestanddelen, 14 % melk en zonder plantaardige vetten. Deze wijziging van de chocoladerichtlijn zal de cacaoproducerende landen en de cacaoboeren ernstige sociaal-economische schade berokkenen. Bovendien is de gewijzigde richtlijn duidelijk in tegenspraak met de Internationale Cacao-overeenkomst van 1995. Daarin verbonden alle cacao-importerende landen, met inbegrip van de vijftien EU-lidstaten, zich ertoe de cacaoconsumptie te stimuleren. Kan de Raad de volgende vragen beantwoorden: 1. Wie (Commissie, EU-lidstaat, chocoladeproducenten, (cid:133)) heeft de eerste stap gezet om te komen tot een verlaging van de cacaonorm? 2. Op basis van welke argumenten en/of documenten heeft de Raad haar goedkeuring gehecht aan een verlaging van de cacaonorm? 3. Welke EU-lidstaten waren voorstander van een verlaging van de cacaonorm? Welke argumenten en/of documenten hebben deze lidstaten aangehaald om hun standpunt te staven? 4. Heeft de Raad een studie uitgevoerd m. b. t. de sociaal-economische gevolgen voor de cacao-produce- rende landen en hun landbouwers alvorens de cacaonorm te verlagen? Zo ja, wat zijn de resultaten van deze studie? Zo neen, waarom heeft de Raad nagelaten zo(cid:146)n studie uit te voeren, gezien de verstrekkende sociaal-economische gevolgen voor de cacao-producerende landen en hun landbouwers? 5. Is de gewijzigde chocoladerichtlijn met de lagere cacaonorm te rijmen met de Internationale Cacao- overeenkomst van 1995, die de cacaoconsumptie wil stimuleren? Zo ja, welke argumenten schuift de Raad naar voren om deze stellingname te staven? Antwoord (10/11 april 2000) Om te beginnen attendeert de Raad het geachte parlementslid erop dat in het gemeenschappelijk standpunt dat de Raad heeft vastgesteld met het oog op de aanneming van de richtlijn van het Europees Parlement en de Raad inzake cacao- en chocoladeproducten, het in de thans vigerende Richtlijn 73/241/EEG vastgestelde minimumgehalte aan cacaoboter of totale droge cacaobestanddelen gehandhaafd blijft. Het is dus niet de bedoeling om, zoals het geachte parlementslid meent, de cacaonorm te verlagen, maar wel om het mogelijk te maken dat andere plantaardige vetstoffen dan cacaoboter worden toegevoegd tot 5 % van het eindproduct (zie artikel 2, lid 1, van het gemeenschappelijk standpunt), aangezien sommige lidstaten het gebruik van plantaardige vetstoffen reeds toestaan. De Raad preciseert dat hij het nuttig achtte deze plantaardige vetstoffen te beperken tot 6 vetstoffen van tropische oorsprong, die volgens technische C 303 E/46 Publicatieblad van de Europese Gemeenschappen NL 24. 10. 2000 en wetenschappelijke criteria worden omschreven als equivalenten van cacaoboter en die geen enzyma- tische behandeling mogen ondergaan (een 7e vetstof, kokosolie, werd alleen toegestaan voor de vervaardi- ging van consumptie-ijs en soortgelijke bevroren producten). In bovenbedoeld gemeenschappelijk standpunt was de Raad van oordeel dat bepaalde verticale richtlijnen op het gebied van levensmiddelen dienen te worden vereenvoudigd, teneinde uitsluitend rekening te houden met de essentiºle eisen waaraan de onder deze richtlijnen vallende producten moeten voldoen met het oog op het vrije verkeer van deze producten op de interne markt. Afgezien van de noodzaak de eenheid van de interne markt te garanderen moet de consument ook verzekerd zijn van juiste, neutrale en objectieve informatie in aanvulling op de lijst van ingrediºnten. Voor wat betreft de sociaal-economische consequenties voor de cacaoproducerende landen hebben de Commissiediensten v(cid:243)(cid:243)r de aanneming van het gemeenschappelijk standpunt door de Raad een vooraf- gaande studie ingediend over de gevolgen van het richtlijnvoorstel voor de landen die cacao en plant- aardige vetstoffen produceren. In die voorafgaande studie concludeert de Commissie dat het richtlijnvoor- stel voor deze landen waarschijnlijk geen negatieve gevolgen zal hebben. Een tweede studie zal worden verricht om de nog resterende twijfels weg te nemen. lid 4, van zijn gemeenschappelijk In verband met dezelfde vraag heeft de Raad namelijk in artikel 2, standpunt bepaald dat de Commissie na de inwerkingtreding van deze richtlijn een studie zal verrichten naar de gevolgen van de richtlijn voor de economie van de landen die cacao en andere plantaardige vetten produceren. De Raad stelt het geachte parlementslid voor zich voor meer details rechtstreeks tot de Commissie te wenden. Meer speciaal aangaande de derde vraag stelt de Raad het geachte parlementslid voor zich tot de lidstaten zelf te wenden, aangezien het niet op zijn weg ligt details te verstrekken over individuele standpunten. (2000/C 303 E/041) SCHRIFTELIJKE VRAAG P-2300/99 van Rosa MiguØlez Ramos (PSE) aan de Commissie Betreft: Toekomst van de Europese scheepsbouwindustrie (29 november 1999) Sinds de crisis van 1973 hebben de Europese scheepswerven verschillende herstructureringen ondergaan. Hierdoor zijn talrijke banen verloren gegaan en is een ernstige crisis ontstaan in de regio(cid:146)s die voor hun welvaart afhankelijk waren van de scheepsbouw, die de stuwende kracht was voor de economische activiteit in andere sectoren. De Commissie geeft toe dat de prijzen blijven dalen. De prijs voor nieuwe vaartuigen is tussen januari 1997 en maart 1999 tussen 15 % en 31,5 % gezakt. Dit is in hoofdzaak te wijten aan het feit dat bepaalde Aziatische landen, met name Zuid-Korea, hun producten met verlies verkopen tegen prijzen die tot 30 % lager liggen dan de Europese, dankzij massale overheidssteun die deze ondernemingen in staat stelt hun dumpingpraktijken vol te houden. De Raad van ministers van Industrie heeft op 9 november ll. slechts aarzelende maatregelen in het vooruitzicht gesteld. Welke noodmaatregelen wil de Commissie treffen om het voortbestaan van de door de crisis getroffen Europese scheepswerven te verzekeren? Heeft de Commissie rekening gehouden met de internationale context, inzonderheid de oneerlijke handels- praktijken van Zuid-Korea, toen zij de terugbetaling eiste van het bedrag van 18,451 miljard peseta(cid:146)s dat als belastingkrediet aan de scheepsbouwsector in Spanje werd toegekend, omdat het hierbij om overheids- steun zou gaan? Welke maatregelen wil de Commissie nemen om de werkgelegenheid in de scheepsbouwsector van de Europese Unie op het huidige niveau te handhaven? Hoe wil zij de toekomst van deze sector, waarvan duizenden werknemers afhankelijk zijn, waarborgen? Welke voorstellen wil de Commissie op de eerste onderhandelingsronde aan het eind van dit jaar in Seattle doen om de Europese scheepsbouwindustrie tegen de oneerlijke handelspraktijken van derde landen te beschermen?


title: PREGUNTA ESCRITA E-2339/99 de Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) a la Comisión. El registro griego.

eurovoc_concepts:
Greece
application of EU law
roadworthiness tests
vessel

text: 3. 10. 2000 ES Diario Oficial de las Comunidades Europeas C 280 E/29 Segœn el art(cid:237)culo 2 de la Tercera Directiva 90/232/CEE del Consejo, de 14 de mayo de 1990, relativa a la aproximaci(cid:243)n de las legislaciones de los Estados miembros sobre el seguro de responsabilidad civil derivada de la circulaci(cid:243)n de veh(cid:237)culos autom(cid:243)viles (1), todas las p(cid:243)lizas de seguro obligatorio de responsabilidad civil derivada de la circulaci(cid:243)n de veh(cid:237)culos deberÆn cubrir, basÆndose en una prima œnica, todo el territorio de la Comunidad. No se permite, por tanto, que las compaæ(cid:237)as de seguros excluyan ningœn territorio comunitario de su cobertura. Sin embargo, en virtud del principio de libertad de contrataci(cid:243)n establecido en la legislaci(cid:243)n nacional, varias compaæ(cid:237)as de seguros coinciden en sus pol(cid:237)ticas que el contrato expirarÆ despuØs de que la persona asegurada haya permanecido durante cierto per(cid:237)odo de tiempo en otro Estado miembro. Se considera que el cambio de residencia de los asegurados puede requerir una nueva evaluaci(cid:243)n del riesgo. EstÆ claro que, en este contexto, la compaæ(cid:237)a de seguros deber(cid:237)a reembolsar a los asegurados el exceso de la prima pagada como consecuencia de la terminaci(cid:243)n anticipada del contrato. La terminaci(cid:243)n del contrato de seguro cuando el asegurado cambia su residencia a otro Estado miembro parece justificada, puesto que el coche debe matricularse en el nuevo Estado miembro de residencia y se considera que el riesgo estÆ situado en el pa(cid:237)s de matriculaci(cid:243)n, segœn las directivas sobre seguros. La cobertura del seguro no deber(cid:237)a presentar especiales problemas en este caso. El seguro puede estar cubierto por la misma compaæ(cid:237)a de seguros u otra autorizada para operar en virtud de la libre prestaci(cid:243)n de servicios desde su Estado miembro de origen, o por cualquier compaæ(cid:237)a establecida en el nuevo Estado miembro de residencia. La legislaci(cid:243)n fiscal, que establece la obligaci(cid:243)n de matricular los coches en el Estado miembro de residencia, establece plazos forzosos para la matriculaci(cid:243)n, con el fin de garantizar el pago del impuesto de circulaci(cid:243)n. Es deseable que los contratos de seguro tengan en cuenta estos plazos. Sin embargo, no es razonable esperar que las p(cid:243)lizas de seguros se conviertan en una salvaguardia permanente que permita indefinidamente a los asegurados retrasar la matriculaci(cid:243)n de sus coches mÆs allÆ de los plazos establecidos. Una situaci(cid:243)n distinta es cuando el asegurado no ha trasladado en realidad su residencia a otro Estado miembro, sino que solamente estÆ en el extranjero temporalmente por razones profesionales o privadas. En este caso, la terminaci(cid:243)n anticipada del contrato de seguro puede ser molesta para los asegurados, que pueden tener dificultades para encontrar un contrato de seguro alternativo para una estancia temporal en el extranjero. Las p(cid:243)lizas de seguros no deber(cid:237)an dejar a los ciudadanos europeos descubiertos en tales situaciones. La Comisi(cid:243)n, que estÆ creando un grupo de trabajo sobre modernizaci(cid:243)n de las directivas de seguro de autom(cid:243)viles con la participaci(cid:243)n de los Estados miembros, tendrÆ en cuenta la situaci(cid:243)n mencionada por Su Seæor(cid:237)a y estudiarÆ cualquier acci(cid:243)n posible. (1) DO L 129 de 19. 5. 1990. (2000/C 280 E/028) PREGUNTA ESCRITA E-2339/99 de Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) a la Comisi(cid:243)n (13 de diciembre de 1999) Asunto: El registro griego DespuØs de un control del comitØ competente de la Uni(cid:243)n Europea, se reconoci(cid:243) al registro griego como organismo de inspecci(cid:243)n y peritaje de buques solo para Grecia y durante tres aæos, pues solo cumpl(cid:237)a los requisitos cualitativos establecidos en la Directiva 94/57/CE (1), sobre reglas y estÆndares comunes para las organizaciones de inspecci(cid:243)n y peritaje de buques. ¿Puede informar la Comisi(cid:243)n sobre los resultados del control del registro griego? ¿Considera satisfactorios los resultados del control cualitativo? ¿CuÆles son las deficiencias en cuanto a los criterios cuantitativos? ¿Se han probado las acusaciones contra el registro griego? ¿QuØ observaciones generales debe hacer? (1) DO L 319 de 12. 12. 1994, p. 20. C 280 E/30 Diario Oficial de las Comunidades Europeas ES 3. 10. 2000 Respuesta de la Sra. de Palacio en nombre de la Comisi(cid:243)n (25 de enero de 2000) La evaluaci(cid:243)n del registro griego de navegaci(cid:243)n (RGN) se realiz(cid:243) entre el 17 y el 20 de marzo de 1997, a fin de comprobar si esta empresa griega de clasificaci(cid:243)n cumpl(cid:237)a los criterios establecidos en el anexo de la Directiva 94/57/CE del Consejo de 22 de noviembre de 1994 sobre reglas y estÆndares comunes para las organizaciones de inspecci(cid:243)n y peritaje de buques y para las actividades correspondientes de las administraciones mar(cid:237)timas. La evaluaci(cid:243)n puso de relieve que el RGN incumpl(cid:237)a los denominados criterios cuantitativos (1 000 buques oceÆnicos con un tonelaje bruto superior a 100, y 100 peritos con dedicaci(cid:243)n exclusiva). En cuanto a los criterios cualitativos, se comprob(cid:243) que esta organizaci(cid:243)n griega los cumpl(cid:237)a todos a excepci(cid:243)n de algunas aspectos, que la Comisi(cid:243)n oblig(cid:243) a remediar. El RGN sigui(cid:243) todas las recomendaciones presentadas por la Comisi(cid:243)n inmediatamente despuØs de la evaluaci(cid:243)n, por lo que la Comisi(cid:243)n dio el visto bueno al cumplimiento de los criterios cualitativos. En el momento de la inspecci(cid:243)n, el RGN ten(cid:237)a s(cid:243)lo 941 buques oceÆnicos con mÆs de 100 toneladas brutas, y 60 peritos con dedicaci(cid:243)n exclusiva. Tras aplicar otro mØtodo de cÆlculo sugerido por el RGN, el nœmero de peritos con dedicaci(cid:243)n exclusiva qued(cid:243) en 86, lo que aœn no resolv(cid:237)a la exigencia de 100 impuesta por la Directiva. En marzo de 1997 la Comisi(cid:243)n recibi(cid:243) una denuncia en la que se alegaba que el RGN incumpl(cid:237)a parte de los criterios de la Directiva. Los incumplimientos denunciados coincid(cid:237)an en gran parte con los observados durante la evaluaci(cid:243)n de la Comisi(cid:243)n. Como se ha seæalado mÆs arriba, el RGN solvent(cid:243) estos incumplimientos inmediatamente despuØs de la evaluaci(cid:243)n, por lo que la Comisi(cid:243)n decidi(cid:243) archivar la denuncia. El 22 de abril de 1998, de acuerdo con el apartado 3 del art(cid:237)culo 4 de la Directiva, el RGN qued(cid:243) reconocido por un periodo de tres aæos, durante el cual el RGN s(cid:243)lo puede operar en nombre de la administraci(cid:243)n griega. Actualmente el RGN es (y continuarÆ siendo) supervisado por el comitØ creado conforme a la Directiva, a fin de adoptar una decisi(cid:243)n definitiva sobre su reconocimiento completo. Todas las empresas de clasificaci(cid:243)n reconocidas a nivel comunitario son continuamente supervisadas por el comitØ, a fin de garantizar el mantenimiento de un nivel de calidad elevado. (2000/C 280 E/029) PREGUNTA ESCRITA E-2350/99 de Roger Helmer (PPE-DE) a la Comisi(cid:243)n (13 de diciembre de 1999) Asunto: Subvenciones ¿CuÆl es el coste total derivado de la auditor(cid:237)a de todas las subvenciones comunitarias (Fondos estructurales y proyectos con financiaci(cid:243)n directa), incluidos: (cid:129) los costes de auditor(cid:237)a interna y (cid:129) los costes generados por contratistas externos empleados para la auditor(cid:237)a de fondos comunitarios? Partiendo del principio de que la Comisi(cid:243)n Europea reclama los fondos obtenidos fraudulentamente o que han sido objeto de malversaci(cid:243)n: ¿QuØ porcentaje del total de subvenciones considera la Comisi(cid:243)n Europea que ha sido objeto de utilizaci(cid:243)n incorrecta y debe ser reembolsado? ¿Existe un plazo en el cual malversaci(cid:243)n y/o concedido err(cid:243)neamente? los beneficiarios de financiaci(cid:243)n deban reembolsar el dinero objeto de ¿CuÆl es el porcentaje medio de los fondos nunca recuperados o irrecobrables? Respuesta de la Comisaria Schreyer en nombre de la Comisi(cid:243)n (23 de febrero de 2000) La contabilidad de los gastos administrativos de la Comisi(cid:243)n estÆ organizada por naturaleza del gasto y no por fondo, objetivo pol(cid:237)tico o tipo de coste administrativo. Por ello, el coste total de auditar todas las subvenciones comunitarias no es conocido con precisi(cid:243)n. La auditor(cid:237)a del gasto de las direcciones


title: Sklep Sveta z dne 13. decembra 1999 o celotni uporabi schengenskega pravnega reda v Helenski republiki

eurovoc_concepts:
Greece
Schengen Agreement
application of EU law
border control
free movement of goods
free movement of persons

text: 234 SL Uradni list Evropske unije 11/Zv. 32 31999D0848 21. 12. 1999 URADNI LIST EVROPSKIH SKUPNOSTI L 327/58 SKLEP SVETA z dne 13. decembra 1999 o celotni uporabi schengenskega pravnega reda v Helenski republiki (1999/848/ES) SVET EVROPSKE UNIJE JE ob upoštevanju člena 2(2) Protokola o vključitvi schengenskega pravnega reda v okvir Evropske unije, red, se odpravi v obdobju od 1. januarja 2000 do 26. marca 2000. Ta Sklep se uporablja od 1. januarja 2000 za notranji pomorski promet v pristaniščih. upoštevanju ob dne 16. septembra 1998 o ustanovitvi stalnega odbora za izvajanje Konvencije o izvajanju Schengenskega sporazuma, Izvršnega odbora Sklepa z ob upoštevanju Sklepa, sprejetega s strani Odbora stalnih pred- stavnikov dne 30. junija 1999, o ustanovitvi ad hoc odbora za Helensko republiko, ob upoštevanju Sklepov schengenskega Izvršnega odbora z dne 7. oktobra 1997 (SCH/Com-ex(97)29 rev 2) in z dne 16. decembra 1998 (SCH/Com-ex(98)49 rev 3), (1) (2) ker so bili opravljeni obiski za preverjanje, ali so bili izpol- njene zahteve glede delovne sile in materialih virov, glede usposabljanja služb, ki izvajajo mejno kontrolo in nadzor ter glede koordinacije med zadevnimi oddelki; ker so bili s 1. januarjem 2000 izpolnjeni pogoji za odpravo kontrole oseb na notranjih mejah s Helensko republiko, SKLENIL: Člen 1 Kontrola oseb na notranjih mejah med Helensko republiko in državami članicami, ki v celoti uporabljajo schengenski pravni in vsaka druga V zvezi z mejno kontrolo pri notranjih letih v Helensko republiko in iz nje, se o dnevih njene odprave sporazumeta Helenska republika članica od 1. januarja 2000 za tista letališča, kjer je to tehnično možno. Kontrola se v vsakem primeru odpravi najkasneje do 26. marca 2000. Zadevne države članice obvestijo pred 1. aprilom 2000 Svet in Komisijo o ukrepih, sprejetih za izvajanje tega Sklepa. zadevna država Člen 2 Leta 2000 delovna skupina za oceno Konvencije o izvajanju Schengenskega sporazuma preveri polno uporabo schengenskega pravnega reda v Helenski republiki in preuči potrebne ukrepe. Člen 3 1. Ta sklep začne veljati z dnem sprejetja. 2. Objavi se v Uradnem listu Evropskih skupnosti. V Bruslju, 13. decembra 1999 Za Svet Predsednik S. HASSI


title: WRITTEN QUESTION E-2336/99 by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Council. Potentially fatal health hazards arising from exposure to radiation from mobile telephones.

eurovoc_concepts:
European social policy
health control

text: 24. 10. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 303 E/49 any information to the effect that in certain cases the rules applied are incompatible with Community rules, she may forward it to the Commission, which will initiate the required procedures. Article 5(2), first sentence, of Directive 85/73/EEC states that (cid:145)no direct or indirect refund of the fees provided for in this Directive shall be permitted(cid:146). The Commission will contact the German authorities in order to obtain information on the DEM 150 000 reduction granted, according to the Honourable Member, in one German Land. (2000/C 303 E/043) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2336/99 by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Council (13 December 1999) Subject: Potentially fatal health hazards arising from exposure to radiation from mobile telephones Recent research by Swedish scientists and other public health experts have shown that exposure to radiation from the use of mobile telephones causes serious damage to the human organism, for example the development of carcinogenic tumours on the brain and the acoustic nerve, together with functional genetic disorders. What measures and policies will the Council telephones and the protection of public health in general? launch with a view to ensuring the safe use of mobile Reply (10/11 April 2000) The Council, on the basis of a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the European Parliament, adopted on 12 July 1999 a Recommendation on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz) (1) which aims to provide a Community framework with regard to exposure to electromagnetic fields, with the objective of protecting the public. The Recommendation, which is based solely on established scientific effects, comprises basic restrictions and reference levels which apply to all radiation emitted by electromagnetic fields emanating from electric appliances, including mobile telephones. It is based on advice from the International Commission on Non- Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and endorsed by the Commission(cid:146)s Scientific Steering Committee. Concerning, more specifically, the long term-effects to which the Honourable Member refers, the Council has invited the Commission to encourage research on the short and long-term effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields at all relevant frequencies as part of the implementation of the current framework programme of research and to keep the matters covered by this Recommendation under review, with a view to its revision and updating, taking into account also possible effects which are currently the subject of research, including relevant aspects of precaution. The Council, aware of the issues at stake for public health, and in the light of the fact that at international level it has not been proven that such exposure, including from the use of mobile telephones, might cause the development of cancer, has asked the Commission to keep a very open attitude towards ongoing and future research in this area. (1) OJ L 199, 30. 7. 1999, p. 59


title: Richtlijn 1999/97/EG van de Commissie van 13 december 1999 houdende wijziging van Richtlijn 95/21/EG van de Raad betreffende de naleving, met betrekking tot de schepen die gebruik maken van havens in de Gemeenschap en varen in de onder de jurisdictie van de lidstaten vallende wateren, van internationale normen op het gebied van de veiligheid van schepen, voorkoming van verontreiniging en leef- en werkomstandigheden aan boord (havenstaatcontrole)(Voor de EER relevante tekst)

eurovoc_concepts:
harbour installation
international standard
maritime safety
maritime transport
prevention of pollution
working conditions

text: 23. 12. 1999 NL Publicatieblad van de Europese Gemeenschappen L 331/67 RICHTLĲN 1999/97/EG VAN DE COMMISSIE van 13 december 1999 houdende wĳziging van Richtlĳn 95/21/EG van de Raad betreffende de naleving, met betrekking tot de schepen die gebruik maken van havens in de Gemeenschap en varen in de onder de jurisdictie van de lidstaten vallende wateren, van internationale normen op het gebied van de veiligheid van schepen, voorkoming van verontreiniging en leef- en werkomstandigheden aan boord (havenstaat- controle) (Voor de EER relevante tekst) DE COMMISSIE VAN DE EUROPESE GEMEENSCHAPPEN, Gelet op het Verdrag tot oprichting van de Europese Gemeen- schap, Gelet op Richtlĳn 95/21/EG van de Raad van 19 juni 1995 betreffende de naleving, met betrekking tot de schepen die gebruikmaken van havens in de Gemeenschap en varen in de onder de jurisdictie van de lidstaten vallende wateren, van internationale normen op het gebied van de veiligheid van schepen, voorkoming van verontreiniging en leef- en werkom- standigheden aan boord (havenstaatcontrole) (1), gewĳzigd bĳ Richtlĳn 98/42/EG (2), inzonderheid op artikel 19, (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Overwegende dat rekening moet worden gehouden met van kracht geworden wĳzigingen van de verdragen, protocollen, codes en resoluties van de Internationale Maritieme Organisatie (IMO), en met ontwikkelingen in het Memorandum van Overeenstemming van Parĳs; Overwegende dat de publicatie van informatie betref- fende schepen die in communautaire havens zĳn aange- houden overeenkomstig Richtlĳn 95/21/EG voor de eigenaars ervan een aansporing kan zĳn om uit eigen beweging herstelmaatregelen te treffen, en het veilig- heidsbewustzĳn in de scheepvaartindustrie kan doen toenemen; Overwegende dat, met het oog hierop, de lĳst van te publiceren informatie moet worden uitgebreid, met name teneinde meer gedetailleerde informatie op te nemen betreffende het betrokken schip, de aanhouding en de getroffen maatregelen alsmede informatie betref- fende schepen waaraan de toegang tot havens in de Gemeenschap is geweigerd; dat duidelĳker moet worden vastgesteld waar tekortkomingen die tot de aanhouding van het schip hebben geleid onder de controleverant- woordelĳkheden vallen van de classificatiebureaus; dat de efficiency van een dergelĳke maatregel moet worden verbeterd door een frequentere, met name maandelĳkse, publicatie van informatie; Overwegende dat een betere transparantie betreffende de gegevens in verband met inspecties van schepen een noodzakelĳk en belangrĳk element is ter bevordering van kwaliteit in de scheepvaart, zowel binnen de Gemeenschap als wereldwĳd; dat de methoden om deze informatie algemener en tĳdiger beschikbaar te stellen gezamenlĳk door de lidstaten en de Commissie moeten worden bepaald; Overwegende dat de lidstaten alle nodige maatregelen dienen te treffen om wettelĳke hinderpalen weg te nemen voor de publicatie van de lĳst van schepen die zĳn geïnspecteerd, aangehouden of waaraan de toegang tot elke haven van de Gemeenschap is geweigerd, in het (6) (7) (8) bĳzonder door wĳziging, waar nodig, van hun nationale wetgeving betreffende de bescherming van gegevens; Overwegende dat de in bĳlage I, deel II, van Richtlĳn 95/21/EG beschreven totale prioriteitsfactor verbetering behoeft in het licht van bĳ de tenuitvoerlegging ervan opgedane ervaring; dat aanpassing van de waarde van de prioriteitsfactor in het kader van het Memorandum van Overeenstemming van Parĳs en een daaropvolgende opname in het Sirenac-systeem vaak kunnen voor- komen; dat Sirenac-databank voldoende is om de waarde van de prioriteitsfactor van een schip te weten te komen; dat het derhalve niet nodig lĳkt om deze waarde in Richtlĳn 95/21/EG op te nemen; raadpleging van de Overwegende dat de lĳst van certificaten en documenten waarvan sprake in bĳlage II bĳ Richtlĳn 95/21/EG moet worden gewĳzigd om rekening te houden met wĳzi- gingen in de internationale wetgeving die van kracht zĳn geworden; Overwegende dat de in deze richtlĳn vervatte maatre- gelen in overeenstemming zĳn met het advies van het comité dat is opgericht ingevolge artikel 12 van Richtlĳn 93/75/EEG van de Raad (3), laatstelĳk gewĳzigd bĳ Richtlĳn 98/74/EG van de Commissie (4), HEEFT DE VOLGENDE RICHTLĲN VASTGESTELD: Artikel 1 Richtlĳn 95/21/EG wordt als volgt gewĳzigd: 1. Artikel 2 wordt als volgt gewĳzigd: a) in punt 1 worden de woorden „die op 1 juli 1998 van kracht zĳn” vervangen door de woorden „die op 1 juli 1999 van kracht zĳn”; b) in punt 2 worden de woorden „in de versie die geldt op 14 januari 1998” vervangen door de woorden „in de versie die geldt op 1 juli 1999”. 2. Artikel 15 wordt vervangen door het volgende: „Artikel 15 Publicatie van informatie 1. De bevoegde instantie van elke lidstaat dient de nodige maatregelen te treffen om ervoor te zorgen dat de in bĳlage VIII, deel I, bedoelde informatie betreffende schepen die de voorgaande maand zĳn aangehouden in, of die onder- worpen zĳn aan een weigering van toegang tot, een haven van deze lidstaat, ten minste elke maand wordt gepubli- ceerd. (1) PB L 157 van 7. 7. 1995, blz. 1. (2) PB L 184 van 27. 6. 1998, blz. 40. (3) PB L 247 van 5. 10. 1993, blz. 19. (4) PB L 276 van 13. 10. 1998, blz. 7. L 331/68 NL Publicatieblad van de Europese Gemeenschappen 23. 12. 1999 is De in bĳlage VIII, deel I en deel II, bedoelde informatie 2. die beschikbaar in het Sirenac-systeem betreffende schepen die zĳn geïnspecteerd in havens van de lidstaten moet zo spoedig mogelĳk nadat de inspectie is voltooid, of de aanhouding is opgeheven, via passende technische rege- lingen openbaar worden gemaakt. 3. De lidstaten en de Commissie dienen samen te werken teneinde de passende technische regelingen te treffen waarvan sprake in lid 2. 4. Waar nodig wordt het Sirenac-informatiesysteem gewĳzigd teneinde de bovenvermelde eisen te implemen- teren. ”. 3. Bĳlage I wordt gewĳzigd als bepaald in de bĳlage bĳ deze richtlĳn. 4. Bĳlage II wordt gewĳzigd als volgt: a) punt 2, zevende streepje, wordt vervangen door het volgende: „— certificaat van vrĳstelling, inclusief, waar nodig, de vrachtlĳst”; b) het volgende wordt opgenomen na punt 28: 33. Bulkcarrierboekje (Bulk carrier booklet). 34. Laad- en losplan voor bulkschepen. ”. 5. Er wordt een nieuwe bĳlage VIII toegevoegd als bepaald in de bĳlage bĳ deze richtlĳn. Artikel 2 1. De lidstaten doen de nodige wettelĳke en bestuursrechte- lĳke bepalingen in werking treden om uiterlĳk twaalf maanden na de aanneming van deze richtlĳn eraan te voldoen. Zĳ stellen de Commissie daarvan dadelĳk in kennis. In de bepalingen die de lidstaten aannemen, dan wel bĳ de officiële bekendmaking ervan, wordt naar deze richtlĳn verwezen. De regels voor deze verwĳzing worden door de lidstaten vastgesteld. 2. De lidstaten delen de Commissie de tekst mede van de bepalingen van intern recht die zĳ op het onder deze richtlĳn vallende gebied vaststellen. Artikel 3 Deze richtlĳn treedt in werking op de zevende dag volgende op die van haar bekendmaking in het Publicatieblad van de Europese Gemeenschappen. „29. Plan voor het beheer van afvalstoffen en afvalstof- Artikel 4 fenjournaal. 30. Beslissingsondersteunend systeem voor kapiteins van passagiersschepen. 31. SAR-samenwerkingsplan voor passagiersschepen die op vaste routes opereren. 32. Lĳst van operationele beperkingen voor passagiers- schepen. Deze richtlijn is gericht tot de lidstaten. Gedaan te Brussel, 13 december 1999. Voor de Commissie Loyola DE PALACIO Vice-Voorzitter 23. 12. 1999 NL Publicatieblad van de Europese Gemeenschappen L 331/69 BĲLAGE 1. Bĳlage I wordt als volgt gewĳzigd: a) in deel I, punt 6, worden na het woord „opgeheven” de woorden „of ingetrokken” toegevoegd; b) deel II wordt door het volgende vervangen: „II. Totale prioriteitsfactor De volgende schepen komen bĳ voorrang voor inspectie in aanmerking: 1. Schepen die een haven van een lidstaat voor de eerste maal of na een afwezigheid van twaalf of meer maanden aandoen. Bĳ toepassing van dit criterium moeten de lidstaten ook rekening houden met de inspecties die zĳn uitgevoerd door de partĳen bĳ het MOU. Wanneer de voor de uitvoering van deze taak benodigde gegevens ontbreken, moeten de lidstaten zich op de beschikbare Sirenac-gegevens baseren en de schepen inspecteren die na de inwerkingtreding van de Sirenac-databank op 1 januari 1993 niet in die databank zĳn opgenomen. 2. Schepen die de afgelopen zes maanden door geen enkele lidstaat geïnspecteerd zĳn. 3. Schepen waarvan de overeenkomstig de verdragen afgegeven wettelĳk voorgeschreven certificaten inzake de scheepsbouw en -uitrusting en de classificatiecertificaten zĳn afgegeven door een organisatie die geen erkende organisatie is in de zin van Richtlĳn 94/57/EG van de Raad van 22 november 1994 inzake gemeenschappelĳke voorschriften en normen voor met de inspectie en controle van schepen belaste organisaties en voor de desbetreffende werkzaamheden van maritieme instanties (PB L 319 van 12. 12. 1994, blz. 20). 4. Schepen die onder de vlag varen van een staat die voorkomt op de voortschrĳdend driejaarsgemiddelden- tabel van boven het gemiddelde liggende aantallen aanhoudingen en vertragingen, bekendgemaakt in het jaarverslag van het MOU. 5. Schepen die toestemming hebben gekregen om de haven van een lidstaat te verlaten onder bepaalde voorwaarden, met name: a) voor tekortkomingen die voor het vertrek moeten worden verholpen; b) voor tekortkomingen die in de volgende haven moeten worden verholpen; c) voor tekortkomingen die binnen 14 dagen moeten worden verholpen; d) voor tekortkomingen waarvoor andere voorwaarden zĳn aangegeven. Indien maatregelen met betrekking tot het schip zĳn genomen en alle tekortkomingen zĳn verholpen, wordt daarmee rekening gehouden. 6. Schepen waarbĳ tĳdens een vorige inspectie tekortkomingen zĳn vastgesteld, naar gelang van het aantal tekortkomingen. 7. Schepen die in een vorige haven zĳn aangehouden. 8. Schepen die onder de vlag varen van een land dat niet alle desbetreffende in artikel 2 van deze richtlĳn genoemde verdragen heeft geratificeerd. 9. Schepen die onder de vlag varen van een land met een boven het gemiddelde liggende tekortkomingsver- houding. 10. Schepen waarvan de tekortkomingen ten opzichte van hun klassering boven het gemiddelde liggen. 11. Schepen die tot een categorie behoren waarvoor een besluit tot uitgebreide inspectie is genomen (overeen- komstig artikel 7 van deze richtlĳn). 12. Andere schepen van meer dan 13 jaar oud. Ter bepaling van de volgorde voor de inspectie van de hierboven vermelde schepen houdt de bevoegde instantie, overeenkomstig bĳlage I, hoofdstuk 1, van het Memorandum van Overeenstemming van Parĳs, rekening met de volgorde die door de totale prioriteitsfactor die op het Sirenac-informatiesysteem wordt getoond, wordt aangegeven. Een hogere prioriteitsfactor betekent hogere prioriteit. De prioriteitsfactor is de som van de toepasselĳke prioriteitsfactorwaarden als gedefinieerd in het kader van het MOU. De punten 5, 6 en 7 gelden alleen voor de inspecties die de laatste twaalf maanden zĳn verricht. De totale prioriteitsfactor mag niet lager zĳn dan de som van de waarden die zĳn vastgesteld voor de punten 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11 en 12. Indien binnen drie maanden na de invoering in het kader van het MOU van nieuwe prioriteitsfactorwaarden de Commissie van oordeel is dat deze waarden niet gepast zĳn, kan zĳ volgens de procedure van artikel 19 van Richtlĳn 95/21/EG beslissen dat deze waarden niet van toepassing zĳn in het kader van deze richtlĳn. ”. 2. Er wordt een nieuwe bĳlage VIII toegevoegd: „BĲLAGE VIII PULICATIE VAN INFORMATIE IN VERBAND MET AANHOUDINGEN EN INSPECTIES IN HAVENS VAN DE LIDSTATEN (waarvan sprake in artikel 15) I. De informatie die gepubliceerd wordt in overeenstemming met artikel 15, lid 1, dient het volgende te omvatten: L 331/70 NL Publicatieblad van de Europese Gemeenschappen 23. 12. 1999 — naam van het schip, — IMO-nummer, — type van het schip, — tonnage (gt), — bouwjaar, — naam en adres van de eigenaar of exploitant van het schip, — vlaggenstaat, — het classificatiebureau of de classificatiebureaus, voorzover van toepassing, die voor dit schip de eventuele classificatiecertificaten hebben afgegeven, — het classificatiebureau of de classificatiebureaus, en/of elke partĳ die namens de vlaggenstaat certificaten heeft inclusief vermelding van de afgegeven afgegeven voor dit schip in overeenstemming met de verdragen, certificaten, — het aantal aanhoudingen gedurende de voorgaande 24 maanden, — land en haven van aanhouding, — de datum waarop de aanhouding is opgeheven, — de duur van de aanhouding, in dagen, — het aantal geconstateerde tekortkomingen en de redenen voor aanhouding, in duidelĳke en expliciete bewoor- dingen, — wanneer het schip onderworpen is aan een weigering van toegang tot iedere haven binnen de Gemeenschap, de in duidelĳke en expliciete bewoordingen, redenen voor deze maatregel, — aanwĳzingen omtrent de vraag of het classificatiebureau, of een andere particuliere instelling die de desbetref- fende controle heeft verricht, verantwoordelĳkheid droeg in verband met de tekortkoming, of de combinatie van tekortkomingen, die tot de aanhouding heeft geleid, — beschrĳving van de maatregelen die zĳn getroffen ten aanzien van een schip dat toestemming heeft gekregen om naar de dichtstbĳzĳnde geschikte reparatiewerf te varen, of waaraan de toegang tot iedere haven in de Gemeenschap is geweigerd. II. De informatie betreffende geïnspecteerde schepen die in overeenstemming met artikel 15, lid 2, openbaar wordt gemaakt dient het volgende te omvatten: — naam van het schip, — IMO-nummer, — type van het schip, — tonnage (gt), — bouwjaar, — naam en adres van de eigenaar of exploitant van het schip, — vlaggenstaat, — het classificatiebureau of de classificatiebureaus, voorzover van toepassing, die voor dit schip de eventuele classificatiecertificaten hebben afgegeven, — het classificatiebureau of de classificatiebureaus, en/of elke partĳ die namens de vlaggenstaat certificaten heeft inclusief vermelding van de afgegeven afgegeven voor dit schip in overeenstemming met de verdragen, certificaten, — land, haven en datum van inspectie, — aantal tekortkomingen, per tekortkomingscategorie. ”