title: Risoluzione del Parlamento europeo sul progetto di comunicazione della Commissione agli Stati membri recante gli orientamenti per l'iniziativa comunitaria sullo sviluppo rurale (LEADER+) (COM(1999) 475 — C5-0259/1999 — 1999/2185(COS))

eurovoc_concepts:
EU initiative
rural development
rural region

text: C 339/52 Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunità europee IT 29. 11. 2000 Martedì 15 febbraio 2000 considera indispensabile il coinvolgimento finanziario degli attori regionali e locali, o una forte 39. partecipazione delle associazioni locali e del settore privato; invita la Commissione e gli Stati membri a associare gli enti locali e regionali, il Parlamento europeo 40. e il Comitato delle regioni all’elaborazione di un programma di lavoro per l’osservatorio; 41. deplora che il documento della Commissione non contenga raccomandazioni agli Stati membri volte a semplificare le procedure e i dispositivi giuridici nazionali in materia di presentazione e di esame dei progetti da parte delle autorità nazionali, come pure in materia di finanziamento, di attuazione e di controllo; chiede alle autorità nazionali e territoriali di effettuare i pagamenti ai beneficiari finali il più rapida- 42. mente possibile; chiede alla Commissione di informare regolarmente il Parlamento in merito all’attuazione di INTER- 43. REG, una richiesta tanto più giustificata dato il carattere incompiuto della sua proposta; incarica la sua Presidente di trasmettere la presente risoluzione alla Commissione e ai governi degli 44. Stati membri. 5. Orientamenti per l’iniziativa comunitaria sullo sviluppo rurale (Leader+) A5-0024/2000 Risoluzione del Parlamento europeo sul progetto di comunicazione della Commissione agli Stati membri recante gli orientamenti per l’iniziativa comunitaria sullo sviluppo rurale (Leader+) (COM(1999) 475 ) C5-0259/1999 ) 1999/2185(COS)) Il Parlamento europeo, + visto il progetto di comunicazione della Commissione (COM(1999) 475 + C5-0259/1999), + vista la sua risoluzione del 5 maggio 1994 sul futuro delle iniziative comunitarie nel quadro dei Fondi strutturali (Leader II) (1), + visto il regolamento (CE) n. 1260/1999 del Consiglio, del 21 giugno 1999, recante disposizioni gene- rali sui Fondi strutturali (2) a partire dal 2000, + viste la sua risoluzione del 19 novembre 1998 (3) e la sua decisione, del 6 maggio 1999 (4), sulle disposizioni generali sui Fondi strutturali, + visto il Codice di condotta sull’attuazione delle politiche strutturali da parte della Commissione (5), + viste le conclusioni del Consiglio europeo di Berlino del 24 e 25 marzo 1999, + visto l’accordo interistituzionale del 6 maggio 1999 tra il Parlamento europeo, il Consiglio e la Com- missione sulla disciplina di bilancio e il miglioramento della procedura di bilancio (6), nonché viste le prospettive finanziarie che costituiscono parte integrante dell’accordo stesso, + visto l’articolo 47, paragrafo 1, del suo regolamento, + visti la relazione della commissione per l’agricoltura e lo sviluppo rurale e il parere della commissione per la politica regionale, i trasporti e il turismo (A5-0024/2000), (1) GU C 205 del 25. 7. 1994, pag. 412. (2) GU L 161 del 26. 6. 1999, pag. 1. (3) GU C 379 del 7. 12. 1998, pag. 164. (4) GU C 279 dell’1. 10. 1999, pag. 292. (5) GU C 279 dell’1. 10. 1999, pag. 488. (6) GU C 172 del 18. 6. 1999, pag. 1. 29. 11. 2000 IT Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunità europee C 339/53 Martedì 15 febbraio 2000 A. B. C. D. E. F. G. considerando molto favorevolmente il proseguimento dell’iniziativa Leader che nelle sue fasi I e II ha dato risultati positivi, considerando che il programma Leader, nelle sue fasi Leader I e Leader II, ha avuto grande risonanza e ha contribuito ad accrescere la consapevolezza di sé del mondo rurale, considerando che il segno «+» posto accanto al programma Leader vuole indicare esplicitamente la maggiore innovatività rispetto ai precedenti Leader, considerando che qualunque strategia di sviluppo rurale deve basarsi sul potenziamento dell’attività agricola, poiché non esiste un mondo rurale senza agricoltura e senza agricoltori, considerando che tutti i progetti di Leader dovrebbero tenere pienamente conto delle problematiche ambientali nonché della coesione economica e sociale dello spazio rurale, in un’ottica strategica alta- mente innovativa, considerando l’opportunità di proseguire l’esperienza Leader come sostegno alla capacità delle zone rurali di rispondere alla sfida dei cambiamenti dovuti alla riforma della PAC, alla conseguente valoriz- zazione della qualità dei prodotti, ad una maggiore sensibilità per la tutela dell’ambiente, alla globaliz- zazione dell’economia, alla diffusione di nuove tecnologie, considerando che obiettivo fondamentale di Leader+ è quello di incoraggiare originali strategie inte- grate di sviluppo economico e sostenibile, fondato su nuove forme di valorizzazione del patrimonio naturale e culturale, di aumento dei livelli occupazionali, di miglioramento della capacità organizzativa delle comunità locali, H. considerando che la cooperazione è da considerarsi un aspetto essenziale del programma, I. J. K. L. considerando che diversamente da Leader I e Leader II, che destinavano il programma esclusivamente alle zone ammissibili agli obiettivi 1/6 e 5b, a Leader+ potranno accedere tutti i territori dell’Unione, pur rimanendo facoltà agli Stati membri di delimitare l’applicazione del programma a talune zone rurali, considerando che a differenza di Leader I e Leader II, che prevedevano tra i beneficiari anche operatori collettivi pubblici o privati del settore rurale, Leader+ prevede come unici beneficiari i gruppi di azione locale (GAL), considerando che i GAL dovranno costituire un assetto equilibrato e rappresentativo nel partenariato dei differenti ambienti socioeconomici del territorio, considerando che sul piano decisionale i partner economici e sociali così come le associazioni dovranno rappresentare il 50 % almeno del partenariato locale, M. considerando che l’iniziativa Leader+ sul piano operativo si sviluppa in tre sezioni: a) b) c) sostegno a strategie pilota di sviluppo rurale a carattere territoriale e integrato fondate sull’azione ascendente e sul partenariato orizzontale, sostegno a forme di cooperazione interterritoriale e transnazionale, creazione di reti tra tutti i territori rurali dell’Unione europea, beneficiari o meno di Leader+, e tutti gli operatori dello sviluppo rurale, N. considerando il contesto globale della politica agricola comune, nella quale si deve inserire Leader+, alla luce dell’adozione di Agenda 2000, della creazione del modello di sostegno all’agricoltura basato su due pilastri, dei prossimi accordi sull’agricoltura e lo spazio rurale che verranno conclusi nel quadro della nuova serie di negoziati commerciali mondiali nonché del previsto ampliamento dell’UE, 1. giudica con favore la proposizione del programma Leader, sotto la forma innovativa di Leader+ e ritiene indispensabile che, dopo le esperienze raccolte con i progetti Leader I e II, si assicuri anche per Leader+ la partecipazione della fascia più ampia possibile di organizzazioni diverse; C 339/54 Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunità europee IT 29. 11. 2000 Martedì 15 febbraio 2000 2. stima importante che una forte strategia di sviluppo rurale, sostenuta anche dall’iniziativa comunita- ria Leader+, debba fondarsi sullo sviluppo dell’attività agricola in tutte le regioni della Comunità, con i suoi effetti diretti sull’attività economica a monte e a valle, sui livelli di occupazione e sul mantenimento di servizi pubblici essenziali, al fine di combattere la desertificazione che colpisce il mondo rurale; accoglie favorevolmente il fatto che la Commissione, fatte salve le specificità regionali, 3. introduca settori tematici prioritari; ricorda tuttavia che, oltre all’utilizzazione di nuove tecnologie dell’informazione nelle zone rurali, al miglioramento della qualità della vita, alla promozione dei prodotti locali, alle strategie per il migliore impiego possibile delle risorse naturali e culturali nonché per le pari opportunità delle donne e degli uomini e al miglioramento delle possibilità di avviamento professionale dei giovani nelle zone rurali, occorre riconoscere un’importanza tutta particolare anche alle misure a carattere sociale, che creano posti di lavoro nelle zone strutturalmente deboli; chiede, in tale contesto, che i programmi pro- muovano lo sviluppo delle regioni a prevalente struttura rurale al fine di avviare lo sviluppo economico in settori innovativi, che creino posti di lavoro e in tal modo frenare, in particolare in queste zone, la cre- scente mancanza di manodopera locale e invertire tale tendenza; considera utile, al fine di evitare sovrapposizioni delle diverse iniziative e doppioni nel finanziamento, 4. che l’iniziativa Leader+ si applichi là dove i programmi classici di sviluppo rurale si fermano; una comple- mentarità che vale anche per il nuovo regolamento (CE) n. 1257/1999 sullo sviluppo rurale e per le ini- ziative INTERREG e EQUAL; 5. ritiene utile che l’iniziativa comunitaria integri le altre iniziative legate ai Fondi strutturali nel quadro dei programmi per le regioni dell’obiettivo 1 e 2 e continui ad essere applicata in tutto il settore rurale; i programmi da attuarsi nel contesto dell’iniziativa comunitaria devono di conseguenza essere assolutamente coordinati con i documenti di pianificazione degli Stati membri e i programmi operativi; 6. prende atto positivamente delle disposizioni specifiche sulla creazione di una rete per realizzare lo scambio di esperienze, informazioni e know-how e ritiene che una partecipazione di Leader+ a una rete europea di regioni rurali sia necessaria anche per le regioni che non partecipano al programma Leader+; 7. sottolinea che la cooperazione interterritoriale e transnazionale nonché il metodo detto «ascendente», in virtù del quale la popolazione locale deve continuare a svolgere un ruolo importante nella definizione e nell’applicazione dei programmi nel quadro di un approccio che va dalla base al vertice, hanno nel com- plesso funzionato bene nonostante le divergenze regionali e si compiace che tale processo venga portato avanti e rafforzato; 8. apprezza particolarmente che nella approvazione degli interventi, pur rimanendo libera la scelta dello Stato membro, la Commissione sia favorevole alla forma della sovvenzione globale di cui all’art. 9 lettera i) e all’articolo 27 del Regolamento generale; 9. esprime perplessità sulla conformità del finanziamento previsto, tenuto conto della estensione del programma a tutto il territorio dell’Unione europea, con un periodo di programmazione che passa da sei a sette anni ed esprime la preoccupazione che la dotazione finanziario di Leader+, pari a 2020 milioni di euro per il periodo 2000-2006, possa essere troppo limitata; propone che il programma Leader+ possa essere applicato negli Stati membri in modo selettivo, 10. evitando che i finanziamenti si disperdano nel territorio; 11. sottolinea che un piano d’azione deve comprendere una serie di iniziative e di progetti, onde tener conto dei problemi e delle aspettative locali, ottenere dei risultati nella zona interessata e quindi contribuire al potenziamento di una dinamica locale di sviluppo; invita la Commissione e le amministrazioni nazionali e regionali a rendere note le proprie esigenze 12. contabili per semplificare la gestione finanziaria di Leader+; 13. ritiene necessario che la Commissione UE stabilisca in modo più dettagliato termini, scadenze e procedure vincolanti per tutti che scoraggino inadempienze e ritardi determinati in buona parte da scarsa efficienza di livelli istituzionali intermedi e nel contempo si adoperi affinché l’introduzione di progetti 29. 11. 2000 IT Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunità europee C 339/55 Martedì 15 febbraio 2000 innovativi ed ambiziosi e la loro contemporanea concretizzazione non comportino un dispendio ammini- strativo eccessivo in loco; parte dal presupposto che la Commissione, nell’autorizzare gli stanziamenti per le azioni ammissibili al sostegno nei tre settori principali, non perda d’occhio l’equilibrio e non privilegi o pregiudichi indebitamente alcuno; nel contesto chiede che i criteri di selezione dei singoli progetti pilota siano formulati in forma chiara ed inequivocabile; raccomanda di mantenere la flessibilità e la duttilità introdotte in Leader II e di autorizzare l’adatta- 14. mento dei piani d’azione Leader+ durante la loro attuazione; 15. invita la Commissione a presentare al più presto al Parlamento europeo una relazione di valutazione su Leader II e a sottoporre al Parlamento europeo le riflessioni e le conseguenze che ne derivano per il programma Leader+ anche in vista di speciali programmi comunitari onde poter trarre giovamento dalle esperienze acquisite e continuare a sviluppare i progetti Leader che hanno dato risultati positivi, integran- doli complessivamente in specifici programmi UE; 16. constata che, dopo l’adozione dell’Agenda 2000, la politica agricola comune si va sempre più inse- rendo nel quadro più vasto dello sviluppo rurale sostenibile, per cui appare necessario che la Comunità si impegni a potenziare i finanziamenti destinati alle iniziative e reti che privilegiano questo nuovo approc- cio; ritiene quindi che debba essere ulteriormente estesa l’applicazione di strategie di sviluppo rurale e l’utilizzo delle risorse locali in modo ecologicamente sostenibile all’interno dell’UE e sottolinea l’esigenza che Leader+ contribuisca alla diversificazione delle attività economiche nelle zone rurali, perseguendo un approccio multisettoriale; raccomanda che i GAL possano beneficiare di assistenza tecnica per il concepimento dei progetti e 17. siano informati delle buone prassi e delle azioni innovatrici realizzate con Leader I e Leader II; ritiene che la Commissione debba inglobare nell’ambito della sua attività i compiti previsti per l’Os- 18. servatorio dei territori rurali e che debba assicurare il monitoraggio sull’attuazione di Leader+; propone alla Commissione europea di raccogliere in una sorta di Compendio o Guida le azioni 19. positive realizzate con Leader I e Leader II; auspica che nell’ambito dei progetti esecutivi di Leader+ le riforme strutturali nell’agricoltura ven- 20. gano accompagnate da misure positive e si presti particolare attenzione alle persone colpite dalla disoccu- pazione e ci si impegni a prevedere possibilità occupazionali per i giovani, rispettando altresì il principio di pari opportunità fra uomini e donne; invita la Commissione a prendere in considerazione le seguenti proposte di modifica da apportare 21. alla sua comunicazione: a) punto 12, terzo comma: «I summenzionati gruppi devono essere l’espressione equilibrata e rappresen- tativa dei partner dei vari ambienti socioeconomici del territorio. A livello decisionale, l’insieme degli enti pubblici dello Stato membro interessato non potrà costituire oltre il 50 % del partenariato locale», b) punto 14, paragrafo 1, quarto comma: «A garanzia del carattere locale e rurale, il territorio non dovrebbe avere, come regola generale, più di 100. 000 abitanti nelle zone a maggiore densità (dell’or- dine di 120 abitanti/kmq) senza di norma scendere al di sotto dei 10. 000 abitanti. Per le zone rurali ad alta densità o per le zone rurali a bassa densità, quali ad esempio alcune zone del nord Europa, sono previste deroghe dovutamente giustificate», c) punto 18: Aggiungere la seguente frase: «Rafforzare il coordinamento tra Leader+ e i programmi comunitari di cooperazione e di partenariato come INTERREG (anche con i paesi dello Spazio econo- mico europeo e la Svizzera), PHARE e SAPARD o MEDA», d) punto 20: «La creazione di una rete per l’insieme dei territori rurali, beneficiari o meno dell’iniziativa, e per tutti gli organismi e le amministrazioni partecipanti alle azioni territoriali in questione, come ad esempio i Carrefour, viene sostenuta non soltanto a fini di scambio e di trasferimento di esperienze (resto immutato)», e) punto 24, terzo comma bis (nuovo): «per l’attuazione di questi programmi gli Stati membri possono scegliere la forma dei piani operativi o della sovvenzione globale», C 339/56 Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunità europee IT 29. 11. 2000 Martedì 15 febbraio 2000 f) punto 35 + Titolo: «Approvazione degli interventi» + Paragrafo 1: «La Commissione approva i programmi di iniziativa comunitaria Leader+ quanto prima e al più tardi entro cinque mesi dal ricevimento della domanda di intervento e determina la partecipazione del FEAOG, sezione Orientamento, conformemente all’articolo 28 del regola- mento generale» + Paragrafo 2: «Solo qualora lo Stato membro scelga la forma dei piani operativi, entro tre mesi (resto immutato) »; 22. sottolinea che è ormai necessario approvare con la dovuta rapidità gli orientamenti per Leader+ affinché i gruppi di azione locale negli Stati membri possano elaborare i loro progetti e presentarli tempe- stivamente alla Commissione per la debita autorizzazione, al fine di assicurare che già nel 2000 possano essere sbloccati gli stanziamenti iscritti in bilancio; incarica la sua Presidente di trasmettere la presente risoluzione al Consiglio e alla Commissione 23. nonché ai parlamenti degli Stati membri


title: WRITTEN QUESTION E-0397/00 by Doris Pack (PPE-DE) to the Commission. FIBT advertising rights on bobsleighs, helmets and competitors' clothing.

eurovoc_concepts:
advertising
ownership
professional sport
sponsorship
sporting event
sports body
sports equipment

formats: html pdf print

text: 21. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 330 E/151 Studies published in the scientific journals Mar(cid:237)ne Mammal Science (July 1999) and Conservation Biology (28 October 1999) indicate that the actual number of seals killed by hunting (zadel seals) in Canada and Greenland was between 417 000 and 533 000 last year. The studies sat that if (cid:145)sustainable hunting(cid:146) means that hunting does not result in a fall in population (i. e. the birth rate keeps pace with the number of seals killed), the actual number of seals killed should be in the order of 93 000 and 264 000. Accordingly, the number of seals killed as a result of hunting should be adjusted downwards. 1. Is the Commission aware of the publications in the periodicals referred to above? In the Commission(cid:146)s view, how do the results of these studies relate to the quota laid down by the 2. Canadian government? Is the Commission prepared to take action to urge the Canadian government to change its policy? If 3. so, what action? 4. Can the Commission provide any information on compliance with the seals directive (83/129/ EEC) (1), as amended in 1985 and 1989? Can the Commission guarantee that Member States are actually complying with this directive? (1) OJ L 91, 9. 4. 1983, p. 30. Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission (10 March 2000) The Commission is aware of the scientific publications mentioned by the Honourable Member. The quotas for harp and hooded seal hunting in Canada have remained unchanged since 1996 and neither species is considered endangered, according to the International Union for conservation of nature and natural resources (IUCN) red list of threatened animals. The Commission takes it that the Canadian authorities are aware of problems concerning the relation between quotas and effective harvest numbers and that for that reason an extensive harp seal population survey has been conducted by the Canadian Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans in 1999 with final results expected in spring 2000. Consequently the Commission sees no need to intervene in this matter. The Commission has no reason to assume that Council Directive 83/129/EEC of 28 March 1983 concerning the importation into Member States of skins of certain seal pups and products derived therefrom, which only concerns furs of whitecoat pups of harp seals and of blueback pups of hooded seals, is not correctly implemented in the Member States. Some years ago miscoding of lambskins led to the impression that whitehead skins had been imported into the Community. Commercial harvesting of whitecoats and bluebacks is against the law in Canada. As a result of this measure it appears that trade in these specific kinds of seal skins has petered out. (2000/C 330 E/171) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0397/00 by Doris Pack (PPE-DE) to the Commission (15 February 2000) Subject: FIBT advertising rights on bobsleighs, helmets and competitors(cid:146) clothing In its International Rules on World Cup and European and world championship competitions, the Milan- based FIBT (International Bobsleighing and Tobogganing Federation) claims ownership of items that belong to competitors and clubs and/or national associations. C 330 E/152 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 21. 11. 2000 At the highest levels, bobsleighing is generally a professional sport. As a rule, the bobsleighs and other equipment used are the property of bobsleigh team members or of the clubs to which they belong or of the national associations sponsoring them. In Section 1. 13. 3. 2 of its International Rules, the FIBT declares, in breach of the rights of ownership and personal rights of competing team members, clubs and national associations, that 50 cm2 on each side of a bobsleigh and the lower third of its cowling, including the surfaces of the front lateral bumpers, is FIBT property. The FIBT makes it difficult for top bobsleigh teams, clubs and national associations to find sponsors and so restricts their freedom to develop economic activity. Will the Commission therefore state whether the FIBT rules on advertising space on bobsleighs, helmets and competitors(cid:146) clothing run counter to Community case-law as it is currently evolving with regard to professional sport? Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (28 March 2000) On the basis of the information provided in the Honourable Member(cid:146)s question, the Commission finds it difficult to give a definitive answer. Full knowledge of the economic and legal facts and of the specific features of the sport, together with a definition of the market concerned, are needed in order to assess whether a federation(cid:146)s behaviour is restrictive within the meaning of the competition rules. In any case, the right to allocate advertising space is a matter for national law. Should the various national laws grant the International Bobsleighing and Tobagganing Federation (FIBT) the right to decide on the use it would be necessary to consider whether the behaviour referred to by the of advertising space, Honourable Member is the result of an agreement prohibited under Article 81 (former Article 85) of the EC Treaty or could constitute an abuse of a dominant position within the meaning of Article 82 (former Article 86) of the EC Treaty. The Commission does not have the information to carry out an analysis which would enable it to determine whether the behaviour referred to by the Honourable Member affects trade between Member States or whether the FIBT, on the assumption that it acts as an undertaking, holds a dominant position on a substantial part of the common market. (2000/C 330 E/172) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0401/00 by Mikko Pes(cid:228)l(cid:228) (ELDR) and Samuli Pohjamo (ELDR) to the Commission Subject: Impartiality of EU food monitoring (15 February 2000) Between 11 and 21 October 1998, European Union veterinary inspectors made an inspection visit to the Kola peninsula in Russia with the aim of ascertaining whether it would be possible to grant permission for reindeer meat and game to be imported into the EU from that source. According to the inspection report (XXIV/1472/98), a representative of an enterprise with an interest in imports of reindeer meat from the Kola peninsula took part in the Commission(cid:146)s inspection mission. The report states that the enterprise helped to organise the journey and arranged interpreting services for meetings. Is it standard practice for representatives of commercial enterprises to participate in EU inspection missions in third countries? Is it likely to boost consumer confidence in the impartiality of the EU(cid:146)s food monitoring if parties with commercial interests participate in inspection missions?


title: Ficheiros de empresas utilizáveis para efeitos estatísticos: recomendações metodológicas. Volume 1.

eurovoc_concepts:
European undertaking
directory
statistical method


title: INTERROGAZIONE SCRITTA E-0399/00 di Ioannis Averoff (PPE-DE) e Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) alla Commissione. Attuazione della legislazione comunitaria e finanziamenti comunitari concessi alla Grecia per la protezione delle foreste.

eurovoc_concepts:
Cohesion Fund
EAGGF Guidance Section
EU financing
France
Greece
Italy
Portugal
Spain
application of EU law
distribution of EU funding
forest conservation

text: 28. 12. 2000 IT Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunit(cid:224) europee C 374 E/65 In seno al Parlamento e altrove, il vicepresidente incaricato del personale e della riforma amministrativa ha conferito particolare rilievo al fatto che la Svezia vanta una lunga e positiva tradizione in materia di pubblico accesso all(cid:146)informazione, e, di conseguenza, possiede modelli cui bisognerebbe ispirarsi ma che, in realt(cid:224), solo difficilmente potrebbero essere integralmente copiati dalle istituzioni europee nel prossimo futuro. Nelle sue dichiarazioni pubbliche il vicepresidente ha inoltre osservato che in Svezia gli scambi informali che hanno luogo prima che un documento ottenga uno statuto ufficiale non sono accessibili al pubblico. Nella proposta della Commissione, la definizione di un documento esclude «i documenti a uso interno in cui siano formulati pareri, espressi scambi di opinione fra servizi, nonchØ i messaggi informali». Se non vi fosse una simile esclusione (cid:129) necessaria secondo il comitato di esperti indipendenti, perchØ «la Commis- sione deve poter disporre di»spazio per pensare«, per poter formulare le proprie politiche prima che raggiungano il pubblico» (cid:129) i funzionari potrebbero essere riluttanti a produrre e scambiare tali documenti, il che potrebbe tradursi in una maggiore segretezza senza accrescere l(cid:146)efficacia del lavoro. Va osservato inoltre che i riferimenti alle dichiarazioni del vicepresidente, riportati nell(cid:146)interrogazione, sono erronei. Il sig. Kinnock ha infatti ripetuto che le irregolarit(cid:224) divulgate da un funzionario della Commissione erano tutte oggetto di procedimenti disciplinari o di vertenze giudiziarie gi(cid:224) prima della loro divulgazione. Egli ha accennato inoltre alle affermazioni riportate dalla stampa svedese secondo cui migliaia di funzionari all(cid:146)interno dell(cid:146)organizzazione continuerebbero a commettere frodi. L(cid:146)accusa ovviamente non corrisponde a verit(cid:224) e rappresenta un esempio del tipo di affermazioni generalizzate che diffama ingiustamente la Commissione e il suo personale provocando la sfiducia infondata dei cittadini. (1) COM(2000) 30 def. (2) Codice di condotta relativo all(cid:146)accesso del pubblico ai documenti del Consiglio e della Commissione, adottato dal Consiglio il 20. 12. 1993 (GU L 340 del 31. 12. 1993, pag. 43) e dalla Commissione l(cid:146)8 febbraio 1994 (GU L 46 del 18. 2. 1994, pag. 58). Il Parlamento europeo ha adottato una decisione relativa al pubblico accesso ai suoi documenti il 10 luglio 1997 (GU L 263 del 25. 9. 1997, pag. 27). (2000/C 374 E/076) INTERROGAZIONE SCRITTA E-0399/00 di Ioannis Averoff (PPE-DE) e Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) alla Commissione (15 febbraio 2000) Oggetto: Attuazione della legislazione comunitaria e finanziamenti comunitari concessi alla Grecia per la protezione delle foreste I regolamenti comunitari nn. 3528/86 (1) e 2158/92 (2) relativi alla protezione delle foreste dall(cid:146)inquina- incendi comportano determinati obblighi per gli Stati membri come, per mento atmosferico e dagli esempio, piani di protezione contro gli la possibilit(cid:224) di finanziare attivit(cid:224) che rientrino nelle disposizioni dei medesimi. incendi. Tali regolamenti danno altres(cid:236) agli Stati membri Pu(cid:242) la Commissione fornire informazioni sull(cid:146)attuazione dei suddetti regolamenti in Grecia e in particolare riferire se la Grecia: 1. ha inviato alla Commissione, conformemente all(cid:146)articolo 10 del trattato di Amsterdam, le informazioni previste in modo specifico dal regolamento (CE) n. 2158/92; 2. quali somme precise ha ricevuto a titolo dei due suddetti regolamenti dal 1995 ad oggi e a quale percentuale corrispondono rispetto agli altri Stati membri mediterranei; 3. ha utilizzato altri mezzi finanziari comunitari per la protezione delle sue foreste, a quanto ammontano e a quale percentuale corrispondono rispetto agli altri Stati membri mediterranei? (1) GU L 326 del 21. 11. 1986, pag. 2. (2) GU L 217 del 31. 7. 1992, pag. 3. C 374 E/66 Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunit(cid:224) europee IT 28. 12. 2000 Risposta data dal sig. Fischler in nome della Commissione (6 aprile 2000) all(cid:146)articolo 2 del regolamento (CEE) n. 2158/92 del Consiglio, del 23 luglio 1992, Conformemente relativo alla protezione delle foreste nella Comunit(cid:224) contro gli incendi, il 2 febbraio 1993 la Grecia ha inviato alla Commissione l(cid:146)elenco delle zone classificate secondo il rischio di incendio di foresta. Tale elenco, in cui tutto il territorio greco Ł stato classificato giustificatamente come «zona ad alto rischio», Ø stato approvato con decisione della Commissione C(93)1619 del 24 giugno 1993. In seguito a tale approvazione, e in conformit(cid:224) dell(cid:146)articolo 3 del suddetto regolamento, il 24 giugno 1993 la Grecia ha trasmesso alla Commissione il piano nazionale di protezione delle foreste contro gli incendi, in merito al quale il 7 marzo 1994 la Commissione ha emesso un parere di conformit(cid:224) al disposto dell(cid:146)articolo 3. Infine, l(cid:146)8 ottobre 1999, la Grecia ha comunicato alla Commissione l(cid:146)aggiornamento del piano iniziale, previsto per una durata di 10 anni (1994-2003). In un nuovo parere emesso il 10 gennaio 2000, la Commissione afferma che il piano aggiornato della Grecia continua a rispondere agli obiettivi e agli orientamenti di cui all(cid:146)articolo 3 del regolamento (CEE) n. 2158/92. in seguito all(cid:146)entrata in vigore del Inoltre, regolamento (CEE) n. 804/94 della Commissione, dell(cid:146)11 aprile 1994, recante talune modalit(cid:224) di applicazione del regolamento (CEE) n. 2158/92 del Consiglio per quanto riguarda i sistemi d(cid:146)informazione sugli incendi di foresta (1), a partire dal 1994 la Grecia mette ogni anno a disposizione della Commissione i dati richiesti dal regolamento. quadro del regolamento (CEE) n. 3528/86 del Consiglio, del 17 novembre 1986, relativo alla Nel protezione delle foreste nella Comunit(cid:224) contro l(cid:146)inquinamento atmosferico e del regolamento (CEE) n. 2158/92 sopra citato, la Comunit(cid:224) ha accordato una serie di aiuti a talune azioni riguardanti tutti gli Stati membri mediterranei, laddove si considerano tali la Grecia, la Spagna, la Francia, l(cid:146)Italia ed anche il Portogallo, durante il periodo 1995-1999, per un importo di 71,48 milioni di €. Di tale somma sono stati stanziati a favore delle azioni greche, durante il medesimo periodo, 13,64 milioni di €, pari al 19 % dell(cid:146)aiuto complessivo. La Grecia ha inoltre beneficiato del cofinanziamento comunitario nel settore cui l(cid:146)onorevole parlamen- tare si interessa ricorrendo anche ad altri mezzi. Il Fondo di coesione ha accordato (cid:129) per il periodo 1994-1999 (cid:129) un contributo di 55,6 milioni di €. La Spagna Ø l(cid:146)altro Stato membro mediterraneo che ha fatto appello al Fondo ottenendone 565 milioni di €. Il Portogallo non ha concesso al settore forestale stanziamenti provenienti dal Fondo di coesione. Quanto al FEAOG-orientamento, in virtø del secondo quadro comunitario di sostegno per la Grecia (1994- 1999) e delle iniziative comunitarie, un importo di 224 milioni di € degli stanziamenti disponibili Ł stato destinato al settore forestale. In Portogallo, un importo di 79,7 milioni di € Ł stato assegnato al settore forestale ed alla protezione dell(cid:146)ambiente nel quadro del QCS (1994-1999). (1) GU L 93 del 12. 4. 1994. (2000/C 374 E/077) INTERROGAZIONE SCRITTA E-0400/00 di William Newton Dunn (PPE-DE) alla Commissione (15 febbraio 2000) Oggetto: Torte di carne di maiale Melton Mowbray Intende la Commissione concedere a Melton Mowbray, nel Leicestershire, la stessa tutela del suo nome e status regionale assicurata ai produttori di Champagne e formaggio Stilton per quanto concerne la produzione delle tradizionali torte di carne di maiale, famose in tutto il mondo?


title: Kommissionens forordning (EF) nr. 341/2000 af 15. februar 2000 om fastsættelse af omregningskursen for visse former for direkte støtte og for foranstaltninger af strukturel eller miljømæssig art

eurovoc_concepts:
agricultural guidance
aid per hectare
environmental policy
exchange rate
structural policy

text: 16. 2. 2000 DA De Europæiske Fællesskabers Tidende L 43/19 KOMMISSIONENS FORORDNING (EF) Nr. 341/2000 af 15. februar 2000 om fastsættelse af omregningskursen for visse former for direkte støtte og for foranstaltninger af strukturel eller miljømæssig art KOMMISSIONEN FOR DE EUROPÆISKE FÆLLESSKABER HAR — under henvisning til traktaten om oprettelse af Det Europæiske Fællesskab, under henvisning til Rådets forordning (EF) nr. 2799/98 af 15. december 1998 om den agromonetære ordning for euroen (1), under henvisning til Kommissionens forordning (EF) nr. 1410/ 1999 af 29. juni 1999 om ændring af forordning (EF) nr. 2808/98 om gennemførelsesbestemmelser for den agromone- tære ordning for euroen i landbrugssektoren (2), særlig artikel 2, og ud fra følgende betragtninger: (1) (2) (3) Ifølge artikel 42 i Kommissionens forordning (EF) nr. 2342/1999 (3) om gennemførelsesbestemmelser for den fælles markedsordning for oksekød, der er fastsat ved Rådets forordning (EF) nr. 1254/1999 (4), er datoen for ansøgningens indgivelse den udløsende begivenhed for fastlæggelsen af konteringsåret for præmier for dyr, der er omfattet af præmieordningerne i oksekødssektoren. Omregningen af disse præmier til national valuta fore- tages i henhold til artikel 43 i nævnte forordning efter gennemsnittet, beregnet pro rata temporis, af de veksel- kurser, der gælder i december forud for konteringsåret. Ifølge artikel 4, stk. 2 i Kommissionens forordning (EF) nr. 2808/98 af 22. december 1998 om gennemførelses- bestemmelser for den agromonetære ordning for euroen landbrugssektoren (5), senest ændret ved forordning i (EF) nr. 1410/1999, er den udløsende begivenhed for vekselkursen for beløb, der ydes i struktur- eller miljø- sammenhæng, den 1. januar i det år, hvor der træffes beslutning om støtten. I henhold til artikel 4, stk. 3, i forordning (EF) nr. 2808/98 er den vekselkurs, der skal anvendes, lig med gennemsnittet, beregnet pro rata temporis, af de vekselkurser, der gælder i måneden forud for datoen for den udløsende begivenhed. Ifølge artikel 12 i Kommissionens forordning (EF) nr. 293/98 af 4. februar 1998 om fastsættelse af de udløs- ende begivenheder i sektorerne frugt og grøntsager og produkter forarbejdet på basis af frugt og grøntsager, i en del af sektoren levende planter og blomsterdyrknin- gens produkter samt for visse produkter, der er opregnet i bilag I til traktaten, og om ophævelse af forordning (EF) (1) EFT L 349 af 24. 12. 1998, s. 1. (2) EFT L 164 af 30. 6. 1999, s. 53. (3) EFT L 281 af 4. 11. 1999, s. 30. (4) EFT L 160 af 26. 6. 1999, s. 21. (5) EFT L 349 af 24. 12. 1998, s. 36. nr. 1445/93 (6), senest ændret ved forordning (EF) nr. 1410/1999, er den vekselkurs, der hvert år skal i anvendes ved omregning til national valuta af det artikel 2 i Rådets forordning (EØF) nr. 790/89 (7), senest ændret ved Kommissionens forordning (EF) nr. 1825/ 1997 (8), fastsatte maksimumsbeløb pr. ha for støtten til forbedring af kvaliteten og fremme af afsætningen i sektoren for nødder og johannesbrød, lig med gennem- snittet, beregnet pro rata temporis, af de vekselkurser, der gælder i måneden forud for den 1. januar i den årlige referenceperiode, der er omhandlet i artikel 19 i Kommissionens forordning (EØF) nr. 2159/89 (9), senest ændret ved forordning (EF) nr. 1363/95 (10). (4) (5) Ifølge artikel 6, stk. 2, i Kommissionens forordning (EF) nr. 2700/93 af 30. september 1993 om gennemførelses- bestemmelser for præmien til fåre- og gedekødsprodu- center (11), senest ændret ved forordning (EF) nr. 1410/ 1999, er den omregningskurs, der skal anvendes for restbeløbet af præmiebeløb inden for fårekødssektoren lig med gennemsnittet, beregnet pro rata temporis, af de vekselkurser, der gælder i måneden forud for den sidste dag i det produktionsår, som præmien ydes for. Ifølge artikel 6, stk. 1, i forordning (EF) nr. 2700/93 er den omregningskurs, der skal anvendes for forskud på præmiebeløb inden for lig med gennemsnittet, beregnet pro rata temporis, af de veksel- kurser, der gælder i måneden forud for den første dag i det produktionsår, som præmien ydes for — fårekødssektoren, UDSTEDT FØLGENDE FORORDNING: Artikel 1 1. Den omregningskurs, der skal anvendes: — for præmiebeløb i oksekødssektoren som omhandlet i forordning (EF) nr. 1254/1999 — for maksimumsbeløbet pr. ha for støtten til fremme af afsætningen af nødder og johannesbrød som fastsat i artikel 2 i forordning (EØF) nr. 790/89, og — for beløb af strukturel eller miljømæssig art som omhandlet i artikel 5 i forordning (EF) nr. 2799/98 er anført i bilag I. (6) EFT L 30 af 5. 2. 1998, s. 16. (7) EFT L 85 af 30. 3. 1989, s. 6. (8) EFT L 260 af 23. 9. 1997, s. 9. (9) EFT L 207 af 19. 7. 1989, s. 19. (10) EFT L 132 af 16. 6. 1995, s. 8. (11) EFT L 245 af 1. 10. 1993, s. 99. L 43/20 DA De Europæiske Fællesskabers Tidende 16. 2. 2000 Den omregningskurs, der skal anvendes for det præmiebeløb og det restbeløb, der er omhandlet i 2. artikel 5, stk. 6, fjerde afsnit, i Rådets forordning (EF) nr. 2467/98 (1), og for det nedsættelsesbeløb, der er omhandlet i artikel 4 i Rådets forordning (EF) nr. 3493/90 (2), er anført i bilag II. 3. Den omregningskurs, der skal anvendes for det forskud, der er omhandlet i artikel 5, stk. 6, andet afsnit, i forordning (EF) nr. 2467/98, og for det nedsættelsesbeløb, der er omhandlet i artikel 4 i forordning (EØF) nr. 3493/90, er anført i bilag III. Denne forordning træder i kraft på syvendedagen efter offentliggørelsen i De Europæiske Fællesskabers Tidende. Artikel 2 Denne medlemsstat. forordning er bindende i alle enkeltheder og gælder umiddelbart i hver Udfærdiget i Bruxelles, den 15. februar 2000. På Kommissionens vegne Franz FISCHLER Medlem af Kommissionen (1) EFT L 312 af 20. 11. 1998, s. 1. (2) EFT L 337 af 4. 12. 1990, s. 7. 16. 2. 2000 DA De Europæiske Fællesskabers Tidende L 43/21 BILAG I Omregningskurs som omhandlet i artikel 1, stk. 1 1 EUR = (gennemsnit 1. 12. 1999-31. 12. 1999) 7,44023 Danske kroner 329,655 Græske drakmer 8,58622 0,626674 Svenske kroner Pund sterling BILAG II Omregningskurs som omhandlet i artikel 1, stk. 2 1 EUR = (gennemsnit 2. 12. 1999-1. 1. 2000) 7,44036 Danske kroner 329,705 Græske drakmer 8,58643 0,626326 Svenske kroner Pund sterling BILAG III Omregningskurs som omhandlet i artikel 1, stk. 3 1 EUR = (gennemsnit 3. 12. 1999-2. 1. 2000) 7,44048 Danske kroner 329,762 Græske drakmer 8,58502 0,626045 Svenske kroner Pund sterling


title: INTERROGAZIONE SCRITTA E-0388/00 di Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) alla Commissione. Analisi genetiche agli immigranti in Svizzera.

eurovoc_concepts:
Switzerland
application of the law
family migration
free movement of persons
genetics
mixed agreement

text: C 26 E/36 Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunit(cid:224) europee IT 26. 1. 2001 Risposta data dalla sig. ra Wallstr(cid:246)m a nome della Commissione (6 aprile 2000) Per quanto riguarda la direttiva 85/337/CEE del Consiglio, del 27 giugno 1985, concernente la valutazione dell(cid:146)impatto ambientale di determinati progetti pubblici e privati, occorre segnalare che la Commissione ha avviato una procedura d(cid:146)infrazione nei confronti della Spagna a causa del non corretto recepimento della suddetta direttiva nell(cid:146)ordinamento nazionale. La Commissione ha inoltre adito la Corte di giustizia (1) per tale motivo. La direttiva 97/11/CE del Consiglio, del 3 marzo 1997, che modifica la direttiva 85/337/CEE, prevede all(cid:146)articolo 3 che gli Stati membri vi si conformino entro il 14 marzo 1999. La Commissione persegue in ogni caso la mancata comunicazione delle misure nazionali di recepimento entro i termini previsti ai sensi dell(cid:146)articolo 226 (ex-articolo 169) del trattato CE. Nel caso della direttiva 97/11/CE Ł stato notificato alla Spagna un parere motivato. Il progetto citato dall(cid:146)onorevole parlamentare si riferisce ad impianti industriali per la produzione di energia elettrica e ad impianti per il trasporto di energia elettrica mediante linee aeree. Tali tipi di progetto i progetti rientrano nell(cid:146)allegato II della direttiva 85/337/CEE. Ai sensi dell(cid:146)articolo 4, paragrafo 2, appartenenti alle classi elencate nell(cid:146)allegato II formano oggetto di una valutazione quando gli Stati membri ritengono che le loro caratteristiche lo richiedono. Va segnalato che, nel caso in questione, sembra essere stata realizzata una valutazione di impatto ambientale. Inoltre, la Commissione non Ł in grado di stabilire sulla sola base delle informazioni fornite dall(cid:146)onorevole parlamentare se le modifiche apportate al progetto debbano o meno essere sottoposte ad una valutazione del loro impatto. L(cid:146)avvoltoio degli agnelli appartiene alle specie protette dalla direttiva 92/43/CEE (2) del Consiglio, del 21 maggio 1992, relativa alla conservazione degli habitat naturali e seminaturali e della flora e della fauna selvatiche. Un progetto LIFE riguarda specificamente la protezione dell(cid:146)avvoltoio degli agnelli nella regione del Moncayo aragonese, comunit(cid:224) autonoma d(cid:146)Aragona. La reintroduzione di tale specie nella zona influir(cid:224) notevolmente sulle possibilit(cid:224) di reintroduzione anche nelle altre regioni montagnose della Spagna. La Commissione, nella sua funzione di custode dei trattati, adotter(cid:224) le misure necessarie ad assicurare il rispetto del diritto comunitario nel caso in questione. (1) Causa C-474/99. (2) GU L 206 del 22. 7. 1992. (2001/C 26 E/049) INTERROGAZIONE SCRITTA E-0388/00 di Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) alla Commissione (15 febbraio 2000) Oggetto: Analisi genetiche agli immigranti in Svizzera Il programma «Mise au Point» della televisione svizzera di espressione francese, TSR, domenica scorsa ha divulgato l(cid:146)esistenza di un progetto di legge gi(cid:224) all(cid:146)esame del Consigliere federale Ruth Metzler. Il suddetto progetto di legge fa riferimento (cid:129) secondo quanto risulta dal programma (cid:129) al fatto che i candidati all(cid:146)immigrazione che invochino il diritto alla riunificazione familiare in futuro saranno sottoposti ad analisi genetiche per comprovare la veridicit(cid:224) delle affermazioni. Pertanto, considerando che esiste un accordo tra l(cid:146)Unione europea e la Confederazione svizzera, si chiedono le seguenti informazioni: 1. Che intende fare l(cid:146)Unione europea per ostacolare questi segnali preoccupanti di carattere xenofobo, che nel caso specifico ricordano pratiche naziste? 2. Che intende fare la Commissione, nella consapevolezza che in Svizzera vivono e lavorano numerosi cittadini stranieri, tra cui cittadini originari di vari Stati membri? 26. 1. 2001 IT Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunit(cid:224) europee C 26 E/37 Risposta data dal sig. Patten in nome della Commissione (9 marzo 2000) Ora come ora, la Commissione non Ł in grado di prendere posizione nei confronti della Svizzera in merito al disegno di legge in questione. La consapevolezza della situazione giuridica insoddisfacente dei cittadini comunitari che lavorano in Svizzera, tuttavia, ha indotto la Commissione a negoziare con questo paese un vasto accordo sulla libera circolazione delle persone onde allineare le disposizioni svizzere con l(cid:146)acquis comunitario in materia, anche per quanto riguarda il diritto alla previdenza sociale e alla pensione. L(cid:146)entrata in vigore dell(cid:146)accordo, Parlamento e alla ratifica delle Parti contraenti. firmato il 21 giugno 1999, Ł subordinata al parere conforme del Una volta entrato in vigore l(cid:146)accordo, la Commissione ne sorveglier(cid:224) attentamente l(cid:146)applicazione da parte della Svizzera e sottoporr(cid:224) gli eventuali problemi al comitato misto che sar(cid:224) istituito nel quadro dell(cid:146)accordo stesso. (2001/C 26 E/050) INTERROGAZIONE SCRITTA P-0403/00 di Werner Langen (PPE-DE) alla Commissione (8 febbraio 2000) Oggetto: Conseguenze dell(cid:146)abolizione del commercio in esenzione doganale Il vertice UE di Colonia ha deciso il 4 giugno 1999 di lasciare decadere la regolamentazione europea in materia di esenzione doganale al 30 giugno 1999. Tale decisione Ł stata preceduta da aspre discussioni sulle sue eventuali ripercussioni. In particolare, Ł stata richiamata l(cid:146)attenzione sul fatto che l(cid:146)abolizione del commercio in esenzione doganale avrebbe condotto a una drastica riduzione dei posti di lavoro. Si chiede pertanto alla Commissione: 1. dispone essa di informazioni sulle ripercussioni che l(cid:146)abolizione del commercio in esenzione doganale ha avuto sul mercato del lavoro? 2. Dispone essa di dati circa le ripercussioni che tale decisione ha avuto su regioni e settori determinati (zone costiere, aeroporti, turismo, commercio al dettaglio in esenzione doganale, ecc. )? 3. Le risulta che in taluni Stati membri siano state prese in considerazione misure di compensazione per le regioni o i settori interessati; in caso affermativo, di quale portata e nell(cid:146)ambito di quali misure? Risposta data dal sig. Bolkestein a nome della Commissione (9 marzo 2000) Per maggiori informazioni sulle ripercussioni dell(cid:146)abolizione delle vendite in esenzione doganale (duty-free) scritte E-1999/99 (1) ed sull(cid:146)occupazione, E-2135/99 (2) presentate rispettivamente dai signori Davies e Staes. rimanda l(cid:146)onorevole parlamentare alle interrogazioni si Per quanto riguarda l(cid:146)impatto a livello regionale e settoriale, la Commissione non ha ricevuto alcuna segnalazione di rilievo a tal riguardo. Attualmente la Commissione sta cercando di stabilire se gli Stati membri abbiano adottato misure di compensazione in risposta ad eventuali problemi specifici. (1) GU C 203 E del 18. 7. 2000, pag. 109. (2) GU C 225 E dell(cid:146)8. 8. 2000, pag. 57


title: WRITTEN QUESTION E-0385/00 by Nelly Maes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Anti-advertising chip in televisions.

eurovoc_concepts:
advertising
advertising budget
commercial media
electronic component
impact of advertising
television
television equipment

text: C 330 E/148 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 21. 11. 2000 However, inexplicably, the accession was not total, since the act of accession did not incorporate all of the regulations listed in the annex of the agreement on the date of signing (27 November 1997). This situation, combined with the fact that the number of regulations has increased since then, means that there has not been full adaptation to technical progress in this sector. Does the Commission intend to complete this list by the end of 2000 in order to incorporate in the act of accession all those regulations contained in the Revised 1958 Agreement which are currently outstanding? Is there any legal or technical obstacle to full incorporation? Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (29 March 2000) With the adoption of Council Decision 97/836/EC of 27 November 1997, the Community has become a Contracting Party to the United Nations(cid:146) Economic Commission for Europe (UN-ECE) Revised 1958 Agreement on 24 March 1998. At the date of its accession to this Agreement, the Community has restricted its accession to the recognition of 78 Regulations annexed to it. It has been agreed that UN-ECE Regulations which are binding on the Community are to be published in the Official journal before their entry into force. In the meantime, the Member States accept approvals (cid:129) even when granted by other Contracting Parties (cid:129) and grant approvals according to these Regulations. Ever since the Community(cid:146)s accession to the UN-ECE 1958 Revised Agreement the number of Regulations has remained unchanged. In order for new UN-ECE Regulations to be adopted, the Council, on a proposal from the Commission and after the assent of the Parliament, has to approve them first. Several new draft UN-ECE Regulations are currently being examined by the Council with the intention of having them recognized by the Community. It should also be recalled that the Parliament has already given its assent to two of them. With regard to existing UN-ECE Regulations which have not been recognized by the Community at the time of its accession to the Revised 1958 UN-ECE Agreement it should be underlined that the Commission intends to gradually submit proposals to the Council and to the European Parliament, aimed at the Community(cid:146)s adhesion to the remaining Regulations. At the time of its adhesion to the UN-ECE 1958 Revised Agreement, the Community in fact considered these remaining 31 Regulations first needed to be adapted to technical progress by UN-ECE before the Community could adhere to them. This adaptation is currently being processed by UN-ECE working groups. As soon as this work is finalised, the Commission will table the appropriate proposals. It should also be underlined that the Community has played an active role in the UN-ECE decision making process with regard to the amendment of UN-ECE Regulations to which it has adhered. Thus, between November 1998 and October 1999, the Community has accepted some thirty amendments to UN-ECE Regulations it has recognized. For reasons of transparency, the Commission will examine the possibility to establish a register showing the actual state of application of UN-ECE Regulations by the Community. (2000/C 330 E/168) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0385/00 by Nelly Maes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (15 February 2000) Subject: Anti-advertising chip in televisions Some televisions nowadays have an electronic chip which automatically allows advertisements to be eliminated and alternative pictures shown. The technology is comparable to that of the chip in a radio which provides traffic news. The advantage to consumers is that they can avoid seeing advertisements. Advertisers will have a motivated audience. The alternative to advertising could be funded by gradually reducing the tax deductibility of advertising costs. 21. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 330 E/149 Activating the chip requires a change in legislation so that it would be obligatory to emit a signal when an advertisement starts. Rules are also needed on offering an alternative. Hence, there is a need for European rules making the chip compulsory for all televisions that are placed on the market. Can the Commission say whether European rules making it compulsory to fit a chip are feasible and desirable? What initiatives will the Commission take to introduce such rules? Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission (31 March 2000) The Honourable Member refers to the new technical possibility of allowing viewers to replace television (TV) commercials with substitute pictures. This approach would require the insertion of an appropriate chip in television receivers to detect advertising. The Commission understands that no system has yet been defined to undertake this task, although certain technical elements of the radio data system might provide a technical basis for such a capability in radio. The Honourable Member considers that on the one hand, this capability would be of interest to viewers wishing to avoid advertising and on the other, to advertisers interested in reaching only those consumers who are receptive to their commercial communications. The Honourable Member suggests that the replacement pictures could be financed by progressive reduction in the tax deductibility associated with advertising expenditure. The Honourable Member believes that a change in law would be required to allow for such signals to be transmitted by broadcasters and furthermore to ensure that the required infrastruc- ture be put in place to allow for these (cid:145)replacement broadcasts(cid:146). The Honourable Member therefore asks the Commission whether it believes it to be desirable to legislate for the insertion of these chips in televisions to be made mandatory. First, the Commission sees the usefulness of this technical concept for consumers who do not wish to receive TV advertising. It also agrees that advertisers prefer to target those consumers who are most amenable to advertising. It would therefore seem that this concept should be of interest to both TV viewers and advertisers and that there would therefore be a market for it. In the event that such an innovation would be a viable proposition for any TV manufacturer, the Commission does not therefore see any reason to legislate in this area. One should also consider that broadcasting technology is changing. The introduction of digital television will make possible new forms of advertising, but also give consumers more control, thanks to interactivity. Any system developed for analogue television risks obsolescence. it is clear that commercial TV broadcasters whose sole source of funding is the sale of Secondly, advertising and sponsorship time, would as a consequence of the spread of this technology, have to respond by either changing their existing media sales rates or consider charging consumers for this (cid:145)premium, advertising clear(cid:146) service. The Commission, again, does not believe that legislation is necessary to force them to offer such a service that has a clear value-added to viewers and advertisers. Finally, the Commission does not believe that the Honourable Member(cid:146)s suggestion of decreasing tax deductibility on advertising expenditures would be of assistance in this matter. On the contrary, this would further reduce the demand for advertising space by advertisers which in turn would put further pressure on commercial TV broadcasters and thus worsen their chances of developing an appropriate funding method for diffusing such an interesting technology. In addition, at the present stage the Commission sees no prospects of the adoption of Community rules, which would in fact amount to partial harmonisation of national legislation concerning deductibility on advertising expenditures for direct tax purposes


title: Règlement (CE) n° 347/2000 de la Commission, du 15 février 2000, fixant les droits à l'importation dans le secteur des céréales

eurovoc_concepts:
CCT duties
United States
cereals
import
stock-exchange listing

formats: pdf print

text: L 43/32 FR Journal officiel des Communautés européennes 16. 2. 2000 RÈGLEMENT (CE) No 347/2000 DE LA COMMISSION du 15 février 2000 fixant les droits à l'importation dans le secteur des céréales LA COMMISSION DES COMMUNAUTÉS EUROPÉENNES, vu le traité instituant la Communauté européenne, vu le règlement (CEE) no 1766/92 du Conseil, du 30 juin 1992, portant organisation commune des marchés dans le secteur des céréales (1), modifié en dernier lieu par le règlement (CE) no 1253/1999 (2), vu le règlement (CE) no 1249/96 de la Commission, du 28 juin 1996, portant modalités d'application du règlement (CEE) no 1766/92 du Conseil en ce qui concerne les droits à l'importa- tion dans le secteur des céréales (3), modifié en dernier lieu par le règlement (CE) no 2519/98 (4), et notamment son article 2 paragraphe 1, considérant ce qui suit: (1) (2) L'article 10 du règlement (CEE) no 1766/92 prévoit que, lors de l'importation des produits visés à l'article 1er dudit règlement, les taux des droits du tarif douanier commun sont perçus. Toutefois, pour les produits visés au paragraphe 2 de cet article, le droit à l'importation est égal au prix d'intervention valable pour ces produits lors de l'importation et majoré de 55 % diminué du prix à l'importation caf applicable à l'expédition en cause. Toutefois, ce droit ne peut dépasser le taux des droits du tarif douanier. En vertu de l'article 10, paragraphe 3, du règlement (CEE) no 1766/92, les prix à l'importation caf sont calculés sur la base des prix représentatifs pour le produit en question sur le marché mondial. (3) (4) (5) (6) Le règlement (CE) no 1249/96 a fixé des modalités d'ap- (CEE) no 1766/92 en ce qui plication du règlement concerne les droits à l'importation dans le secteur des céréales. Les droits à l'importation sont applicables jusqu'à ce qu'une nouvelle fixation entre en vigueur. Ils restent également en vigueur si aucune cotation n'est disponible pour la bourse de référence visée à l'annexe II du règle- (CE) no 1249/96 au cours des deux semaines ment précédant la prochaine fixation périodique. Afin de permettre le fonctionnement normal du régime des droits à l'importation, il convient de retenir pour le calcul de ces derniers les taux représentatifs de marché constatés au cours d'une période de référence. L'application du règlement (CE) no 1249/96 conduit à fixer les droits à l'importation conformément à l'annexe du présent règlement, A ARRÊTÉ LE PRÉSENT RÈGLEMENT: Article premier Les droits à l'importation dans le secteur des céréales visés à l'article 10, paragraphe 2, du règlement (CEE) no 1766/92 sont fixés à l'annexe I du présent règlement sur la base des éléments repris à l'annexe II. Le présent règlement entre en vigueur le 16 février 2000. Article 2 Le présent règlement est obligatoire dans tous ses éléments et directement applicable dans tout État membre. Fait à Bruxelles, le 15 février 2000. Par la Commission Franz FISCHLER Membre de la Commission (1) JO L 181 du 1. 7. 1992, p. 21. (2) JO L 160 du 26. 6. 1999, p. 18. (3) JO L 161 du 29. 6. 1996, p. 125. (4) JO L 315 du 25. 11. 1998, p. 7. 16. 2. 2000 FR Journal officiel des Communautés européennes L 43/33 Droits à l'importation des produits visés à l'article 10, paragraphe 2, du règlement (CEE) no 1766/92 ANNEXE I Code NC Désignation des marchandises 1001 10 00 Froment (blé) dur de haute qualité de qualité moyenne (1) 1001 90 91 Froment (blé) tendre, de semence: 1001 90 99 Froment (blé) tendre de haute qualité, autre que de semence (3) de qualité moyenne de qualité basse 1002 00 00 Seigle 1003 00 10 Orge, de semence 1003 00 90 Orge, autre que de semence (3) 1005 10 90 Maïs de semence autre qu'hybride 1005 90 00 Maïs, autre que de semence (3) 1007 00 90 Sorgho à grains autre qu'hybride d'ensemencement Droit à l'importation par voie terrestre, fluviale ou maritime en provenance de ports méditerra- néens, de la mer Noire ou de la mer Baltique (en EUR/t) Droit à l'importation par voie aérienne ou maritime en provenance d'autres ports (2) (en EUR/t) 22,84 32,84 36,12 36,12 71,05 82,08 80,45 80,45 80,45 84,53 84,53 80,45 12,84 22,84 26,12 26,12 61,05 72,08 70,45 70,45 70,45 74,53 74,53 70,45 (1) Pour le blé dur ne remplissant pas la qualité minimale pour le blé dur de qualité moyenne, visée à l'annexe I du règlement (CE) no 1249/96, le droit applicable est celui fixé pour le froment (blé) tendre de qualité basse. (2) Pour les marchandises arrivant dans la Communauté par l'océan Atlantique ou via le canal de Suez [article 2, paragraphe 4, du règlement (CE) no 1249/96], l'importateur peut bénéficier d'une diminution des droits de: — 3 EUR/t, si — 2 EUR/t, si le port de déchargement se trouve en Irlande, au Royaume-Uni, au Danemark, en Suède, en Finlande ou sur la côte atlantique de la Péninsule ibérique. (3) L'importateur peut bénéficier d'une réduction forfaitaire de 14 ou 8 EUR/t lorsque les conditions établies à l'article 2, paragraphe 5, du règlement (CE) no 1249/96 sont le port de déchargement se trouve en mer Méditerranée, ou de remplies. L 43/34 FR Journal officiel des Communautés européennes 16. 2. 2000 ANNEXE II Éléments de calcul des droits (période du 1. 2. 2000 au 14. 2. 2000) 1. Moyennes sur la période des deux semaines précédant le jour de la fixation: Cotations boursières Minneapolis Kansas-City Chicago Chicago Minneapolis Minneapolis Minneapolis Produit (% protéines à 12 % humidité) HRS2. 14 % HRW2. 11,5 % SRW2 YC3 HAD2 qualité moyenne (*) US barley 2 Cotation (EUR/t) 119,66 108,64 98,06 88,86 162,05 (**) 152,05 (**) 104,44 (**) Prime sur le Golfe (EUR/t) 29,11 5,20 4,75 11,50 Prime sur Grands Lacs (EUR/t) — — — — (*) Prime négative d'un montant de 10 EUR/t [article 4, paragraphe 1, du règlement (CE) no 1249/96]. (**) Fob Golfe. — — — — — — 2. Frets/frais: Golfe du Mexique-Rotterdam: 16,05 EUR/t. Grands Lacs-Rotterdam: 28,78 EUR/t. 3. Subventions visées à l'article 4, paragraphe 2, troisième alinéa du règlement (CE) no 1249/96: 0,00 EUR/t (HRW2) 0,00 EUR/t (SRW2)


title: 2001/1/EC: Commission Decision of 15 February 2000 on the State aid implemented by the Federal Republic of Germany for Dessauer Geräteindustrie GmbH (Text with EEA relevance) (notified under document number C(2000) 515)

eurovoc_concepts:
Germany
State aid
control of State aid
heating
infringement of EU law

text: L 1/10 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 1. 2001 II (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 15 February 2000 on the State aid implemented by the Federal Republic of Germany for Dessauer Geräteindustrie GmbH (notified under document number C(2000) 515) (Only the German text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (2001/1/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Communities, and in particular the first subpara- graph of Article 88(2) thereof, Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 62(1)(a) thereof, Having called on interested parties to submit their comments pursuant to the provisions cited above (1) and having regard to their comments, Whereas: I. PROCEDURE (1) (2) (3) By letter dated 26 May 1998, registered on 29 May 1998 under NN 63/98, Germany informed the Commission of aid for Dessauer Geräteindustrie GmbH (DGI) pursuant to Article 88(3) of the Treaty. By letter dated 23 June 1998, the Commission asked supplementary questions which were answered by letters dated and registered on 7 August and 22 September 1998 respectively. Further informa- tion was submitted in letters dated 11 November 1998 (registered on 12 November), 6 December 1998 (registered on 7 December), 18 January 1999 (registered that same day) and 21 January 1999 (registered that same day) and 27 January 1999 (registered on 28 January). On 18 February 1998 the Commission had received information from Germany, confirmed on 5 March 1999, that the company was facing impending insolvency. By letter dated 18 May 1999, the Commission informed Germany of its decision to initiate the procedure under Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty in respect of those aid measures. By letter dated 25 June 1999, registered on 29 June, Germany replied to the initiation of the procedure and informed the Commission that insolvency proceedings (Insolvenzverfahren) for DGI had been opened on 30 March 1999. (1) OJ C 213, 24. 7. 1999, p. 12. 4. 1. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 1/11 (4) The Commission decision to initiate the formal investigation procedure was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities (2). The Commission invited interested parties to submit their comments on the aid measures. The comments it received were forwarded by letters dated 22 September and 18 November 1999 to Germany, which was given the opportunity to react. II. DETAILED DESCRIPTION A. Recipient (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) DGI is the legal successor to Dessauer Gasgeräte GmbH. It develops, manufactures and distributes gas and electric stoves (both free-standing and built-in models), gas heating appliances and safety enclosures for electrical equipment. Since December 1994 it has operated as a holding company for four subsidiaries: Dessauer Umform-Oberflächentechnik GmbH, Dessauer Gasgeräte GmbH, Dessauer Schaltschrankbau GmbH and Dessanova Vermögensverwaltungs GmbH. In 1998 DGI employed 234 people and recorded losses of some DEM 7 million on a turnover of DEM 33,48 million. It qualifies as an SME within the meaning of the Community guidelines on State aid for small and medium-sized enterprises (3). Its main site is at Dessau, Saxony-Anhalt, where the unemployment rate is 23,7 %. Up to 99 % of the company's sales are in the German market and the remaining 1 % in other EU Member States. B. Privatisation In December 1994 DGI was privatised, with retroactive effect from 1 January 1994, after an open, transparent and unconditional competitive tendering procedure. The undertaking was sold for DEM 10 million to the highest bidder, Mr Michael Schröer. By the end of 1994 turnover had fallen by 60 % and it was agreed that the purchase price would be reduced to DEM 1. In the context of the privatisation, the Treuhandanstalt (THA) took several measures in favour of the company amounting to DEM 71,05 million. These measures were covered by THA scheme E 15/92 (4), which had been approved by the Commission. (10) In addition, during the period from 1993 to 1995, the company received grants amounting to DEM 3,95 million under an approved Federal Government/Länder scheme for improving regional economic structures (5). (11) On 30 October 1996 Mr Schröer sold 45 % of the shares to Mr Jürgen Franz Berger and 35 % to Mr Lothar Karl Riegel for DEM 1 each, while keeping 20 % of the shares himself. (2) See footnote 1. (3) OJ C 213, 23. 7. 1996, p. 4. (4) E 15/92, SG (92) D/17613 of 8 December 1992. Under point 3 of the scheme, when no bidder is prepared to offer a positive price but the THA nevertheless decides to go through with the sale, aid may be granted if closure of the undertaking would be the cheaper solution. Such sales at negative prices must be notified to the Commission in cases where the firm employs more than 1 000 workers. DGI employed fewer than 1 000 people and did not exceed the scheme's threshold, so that the measures were covered by the scheme. (5) 21. Rahmenplan der Gemeinschaftsaufgabe zur Verbesserung der regionalen Wirtschaftsstruktur: Measures covered by investment aid under Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty and were approved under the this scheme qualify as regional exemption laid down in Article 87(3)(a) (N 292/92). L 1/12 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 1. 2001 C. Restructuring 1. Difficulties (12) The expansion in turnover between 1991 and 1993 was the result of the conversion from city gas to natural gas in the new Länder. Turnover decreased considerably in 1994 as the conversion was completed. In 1995 it fell again by 30 % compared with the previous year. In 1996 the first measures were taken to increase productivity and reduce costs. (13) A further problem was a technical defect in production which had appeared in 1993, forcing the company to recall stoves it had manufactured (6). The defect in the stoves involved a serious health and safety risk, so remedial action had to be taken immediately. The overall cost of removing defective products comes to DEM 14,55 million. DGI's insurer, Colonia Versicherung AG, will cover 20 % of these costs (7). (14) (15) In the past the company concentrated on the low-price segment of the market in the new Länder. Its traditional market is saturated and subject to strong competition from cheap suppliers in eastern Europe. DGI intends to establish itself as a supplier of higher-value products, which requires a shift towards the development of modern, high-quality products. In order to obtain liquidity, DGI sold real estate which was bought by the Bundesanstalt für vereinigungsbedingte Sonderaufgaben (BvS - the successor to the Treuhand privatisation agency) on 13 March 1997 for DEM 5,4 million (8). Of this amount, DEM 4,45 million was paid out and the remaining DEM 0,95 million was used to offset an outstanding claim the BvS had on DGI the remaining debt of DEM 1,93 million was amounting to DEM 2,88 million. Payment of deferred (9). The Commission notes that, in the report on DGI's insolvency proceedings, the total amount of this deferred debt is given as DEM 2,66 million. 2. Restructuring plan (16) The restructuring plan covered the years 1997 to 2000. According to the information submitted by Germany, the overall restructuring costs amounted to DEM 27,1 million and concerned a number of different aspects: — new product orientation and related product innovation — plant automation and modernisation — cost reductions; — increases in productivity. (17) The ‘Herd 2000’ programme was supposed to enable DGI to manufacture a wider range of modern-design gas and electric stoves. As regards safety enclosures for electrical equipment, the aim was to tailor production to demand, taking greater account of customers' wishes and reducing delivery times. Through this new product orientation in its main relevant markets, DGI expected to position itself at the upper end of the market. (18) Much of the existing production plant was not state-of the-art and therefore had to be modernised. The plan included the purchase, automation and modernisation of equipment and machinery in order to rationalise production and reduce costs. (6) By October 1998, 27 000 stoves had been checked. The company expects to complete the operation by the end of 2000. (7) As DGI assigned its claim against Colonia Versicherung AG to the BvS, the amount covered by Colonia will be transferred direct to the BvS. (8) This sale complies with the Commission communication on State aid elements in sales of land and buildings by public authorities (OJ C 209, 10. 7. 1997). The sale was made under market conditions and the market value was established by an independent asset assessor (architect Mr Heinz Spies, appointed by the Dortmund Chamber of Commerce and Industry) on the basis of generally accepted market indicators and valuation standards. (9) It was agreed that this amount should be paid back in two instalments, on 30 June 1999 and 30 June 2000, subject to interest (two points above the official discount rate of the Deutsche Bundesbank). The payment was covered by a personal guarantee given by Mr Schroer amounting to DEM 1 million and a further DEM 0,931 million secured by the company on inventory and stocks. 4. 1. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 1/13 (19) The closure of the site in Merenberg/Reichborn was the first measure taken to reduce costs. The company also intended to reduce the purchase price of materials by up to 10 % by renegotiating with suppliers, to cut staff costs through flexible working hours and to reduce debts by practising greater discipline in payments. (20) DGI intended to increase its productivity by introducing a series of measures: prospective payment system, daily control of stocks, demand-based product availability, cost projection principle, unit cost calculation system, optimisation of business processes, team work and bonuses, performance-related pay and a reorganisation of management and its objectives. (21) The information submitted by Germany attributing the company's collapse to, among other things, the inability to obtain additional finance implies that further restructuring steps were taken the details of which have not been communicated by Germany. (22) Overview: 3. Restructuring costs Payment of deferred debt (1) Removal of defective products Investments: — Product innovation Measures ‘Herd 2000’ Enclosures — Factory automation Hardware and software Communications — Deformation technology Machines and installations Tool production — Surface engineering Machines and installations Environment, waste disposal — Assembly technology Testing technology — Storage and shipment Lift trucks and vehicles Means of loading and transport Tools for component production Reconstruction/reorganisation (million DEM) Amount 1,93 14,55 4,20 0,40 0,98 0,15 0,40 1,25 0,47 0,35 0,36 0,15 0,10 0,42 1,39 Total 27,10 (1) According to the report on the insolvency proceedings, this amount is effectively DEM 2,66 million. (23) The original restructuring costs, as notified by Germany, included the sum of DEM 13,2 million, for which a private bank loan and a guarantee by the Land of Saxony-Anhalt were required. In subsequent correspondence, Germany explained that neither the loan nor the guarantee had been granted. In its view, this implied that the original level of necessary restructuring costs had been overstated by DEM 13,2 million. L 1/14 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 1. 2001 (24) However, the statement attributing the company's collapse to, among other things, the failure to obtain a loan of DEM 13,2 million implies that the overall restructuring costs were considerably higher than those presented in the revised overview and totalled around DEM 40,3 million. This means that the information submitted by Germany in support of the revised account was either incomplete or misleading and in any case did not correspond to the economic reality. D. Financial measures (25) The financial measures break down between the BvS, the Land of Saxony-Anhalt and the investors as follows: Financial contribution by the BvS Type Costs of removing defective products not covered by Colonia Versicherung AG Grant Loan Deferral of payment (1) (million DEM) Amount 5,00 6,64 1,93 Total 13,57 (1) According to the information provided to the Commission, the deferred payment amounts to DEM 2,66 million. In this case, the BvS's total financial contribution comes to DEM 14,3 million. (26) The BvS financed the costs of removing the defective products, which totalled DEM 14,55 million, through a grant of DEM 5 million and an interest-free loan of DEM 9,55 million. This loan was secured on DGI's claims against its insurance company, Colonia Versicherung AG, which were assigned to the BvS. After a settlement the insurance would cover 20 % of the total costs, some DEM 2,91 million. The loan would be reduced by that amount, which would consequently form part of the investor's own contribution. Financial contribution by the Land of Saxony-Anhalt Type Investment grants (1) Investment allowances (2) (million DEM) Amount 3,38 0,27 Total 3,65 (1) Investitionszuschüsse granted under the 27. Rhamenplan der Gemeinschaftsaufgabe zur Verbesserung der regionalen Wirt- schaftsstruktur (1998-2001). Measures covered by this scheme qualify as regional investment aid under Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty and were approved under the exemption laid down in Article 87(3)(a)(N 100/98). (2) Investitionszulagegesetz: Measures covered by this Law qualify as regional investment aid under Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty and were approved by the Commission under the exemption laid down in Article 87(3)(a) (N 494/A/95). 4. 1. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 1/15 Financial contribution by investors Credit from Commerzbank and Deutsche Bank (1) Type Revenues from sale of real estate 20 % of costs of removing defective products (2) (million DEM) Amount 2,52 4,45 2,91 Total 9,88 (1) Repayment of the credit is secured against the registration of mortgage debts and the assignment of entitlements. (2) The DEM 2,91 million covered by Colonia Versicherung AG will be transferred direct to the BvS. (27) The above figures show that total assistance from the public authorities amounted to at least DEM 17,22 million, of which DEM 3,38 million was made available in the form of investment grants and DEM 0,27 million in the form of investment allowances, both approved aid schemes. Aid measures amounting to at least DEM 13,57 million, namely the payment deferral and the grant and loan for the removal of defective products, are not covered by approved aid schemes and must therefore be assessed by the Commission. E. Market analysis 1. Gas and domestic electrical appliances (28) (29) The company's main relevant market is at least Europe-wide. There are no barriers to trade and, as far as technical harmonisation is concerned, Community legislation on electrical appliances is applicable in the EFTA countries which have signed the EEA Agreement. As a rule, large European manufacturers have a strong presence in their respective ‘home’ territories. However, the integration of EU and EFTA States and the resulting removal of barriers to trade mean that markets are no longer national in scope (10). The Community remains one of the largest markets for manufacturers, but Europe's importance is declining in comparison with Asia. Competition from outside the Community, especially from Asian and east European producers, which is already having a negative effect on Community manufactur- is likely to increase. Because of the general market trend, concentration is ers' market share, proceeding apace, with a growing number of acquisitions and joint ventures and the emergence of pan-European products and operations. (30) Germany is the major European producer for both electrical and non-electrical heating appliances. Together with Italy, it has modestly optimistic consumption prospects, with expected growth rates of around 2,5 % for the next few years. The general trend is towards product innovation, end-user comfort, environmental protection and energy saving (11). (31) This market is saturated and suffers from overcapacity (12). Modest growth rates of around 2 % to 3 % are expected in the European markets in the coming years. (32) According to the information submitted in response to the opening of the formal investigation procedure, the market for stoves has been declining for some years and is dominated by eastern European producers, who are able to offer much lower prices. (10) Commission Decision of 21 June 1994, Case No IV/M. 458 (OJ C 187, 9. 7. 1994, p. 14). (11) Panorama of EU Industry 1997, Vol. 2, 13-60, NACE (Revision 1) 29. 7. (12) Letter from DG III dated 17 February 1999 (ref. 01520). L 1/16 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 1. 2001 2. Industrial safety enclosures (33) DGI's secondary activity is the production and distribution of enclosures constructed for indoor use to provide protection for personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment and to provide a certain degree of protection to the equipment against dirt, dust and corrosion. This market is closely linked to that of the equipment it encloses (switching equipment). Growth in this market has slowed down in the past five years because of overcapacity in electricity generation and the decline in investment (13). III. INITIATION OF THE FORMAL INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE (34) On 24 April 1999 the Commission initiated the formal It requested information since a return to profitability seemed highly unlikely, mainly because the plan to restore the company's viability did not seem to be based on realistic assumptions. The information submitted by Germany on the overall restructuring costs was either incomplete or misleading and did not seem to correspond to the economic reality. Not least, the market was saturated and suffered from overcapacity, but the plan made no provision for any appreciable capacity reduction. investigation procedure. IV. COMMENTS FROM INTERESTED PARTIES (35) In response to the publication of the letter addressed to Germany in the Official Journal of the European Communities in July 1999, the Commission received comments from DGI's receiver and from the United Kingdom. These comments were forwarded to Germany, which was given the opportunity to react. V. ASSESSMENT (36) On 18 May 1999 Germany was requested by means of an information injunction to provide the Commission within one month with enough information to assess the measures under investigation. The Commission regrets that the German authorities did not respond to the injunction. In accord- ance with Article 13(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 of 22 March 1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Article 88 of the EC Treaty (14), the assessment will therefore be based on the information available. A. Aid within the meaning of Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty (37) (38) (39) Financial measures from State resources taken in support of a company in difficulty in the abovementioned sector may tend to distort competition and affect trade between Member States. The individual measures must be examined under Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty. The sale of real estate to the BvS cannot be regarded as aid because it was carried out under market conditions and in accordance with the Commission communication on State aid elements in sales of land and buildings by public authorities (15). Investment grants amounting to DEM 3,38 million were made available under a scheme approved by the Commission and fell below that scheme's thresholds (16). Investment allowances amounting to DEM 0,27 million were also based on an approved aid scheme and fell below the corresponding thresholds (17). Consequently, the Commission need not assess these measures, although they will be taken into account in evaluating proportionality. (13) Panorama of EU Industry 1997, Vol. 2, 15-8, NACE (Revision 1) 31. 20. (14) OJ L 83, 27. 3. 1999. (15) OJ C 209, 10. 7. 1997. (16) Investitionszuschüsse granted under the 27. Rahmenplan der Gemeinschaftsaufgabe zur Verbesserung der regioalen funds may cover up to 50 % of the necessary Wirtschaftsstruktur (N 100/98): Under point 2. 5 of the scheme, investments. (17) Under the Investitionszulagegesetz, up to 10 % of the eligible investments of SMEs made by the end of 1998 may be covered by investment allowances. From 1999 on, this limit is increased to 20 %. 4. 1. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 1/17 (40) The deferred payment of either DEM 1,93 million or DEM 2,66 million, the grant of DEM 5 million and the loan of DEM 6,64 million are considered to be new aid. State resources were used for these measures and there is a distortion or a threat of distortion of competition and a threat of trade between Member States being affected. The measures also conferred advantages on the company which, given its difficult situation, it would not have received from a private investor. The new aid for restructuring DGI which is not covered by approved aid schemes and must be assessed by the Commission totals at least DEM 13,57 million. B. Exemptions under Article 87(3)(c) of the EC Treaty (41) Under Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty, State aid granted to certain undertakings is incompatible with the common market where it affects trade between Member States and distorts or threatens to distort competition in the common market. Such aid is generally incompatible with the common market unless it falls within the scope of the exemptions laid down in Article 87(2) or (3). (42) (43) The exemptions in Article 87(2) do not apply in the present case as the aid does not have a social character, is not granted to individual consumers, does not make good the damage caused by natural disasters or exceptional occurrences, and is not granted to the economy of certain areas of the Federal Republic of Germany. Further exemptions are laid down in Article 87(3)(a) and (c). In this case, Article 87(3)(c) is relevant because the main objective of the aid is not regional development but the restoration of the long-term viability of a company in difficulty. Under this provision, the Commission has the discretion to permit State aid granted to promote the development of certain economic sectors where such aid does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest. The Commission spelled out the preconditions for exercising this discretionary power in its guidelines on rescue and restructuring aid (18). It considers that none of the other Community guidelines or frameworks, such as those on research and development, small and medium-sized enterprises or employment and training, could apply here. 1. Restoration of viability (44) The granting of restructuring aid requires a feasible, coherent and far-reaching restructuring plan capable of restoring the firm's long-term viability within a reasonable timescale and on the basis of realistic assumptions. As regards DGI, the current plan was put into effect in 1997 and was to be fully implemented by 2000. The Commission notes that the expected results have not been achieved. (45) Overview 1997 1998 1999 2000 (million DEM) Turnover (net) 35,779 33,481 36,222 45,205 Personnel costs 13,767 13,684 10,176 11,000 Material costs 19,843 17,328 18,006 22,275 Depreciation 2,768 2,920 3,200 3,350 (18) JO C 368 de 23. 12. 1994. L 1/18 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 1. 2001 1997 1998 1999 2000 (million DEM) Other costs 10,694 9,450 7,977 8,415 Operating result – 11,293 – 9,901 – 3,137 0,165 Extraordinary income 5,668 3,090 0,700 0,700 Extraordinary expenditure 2,349 0,150 0,050 0,050 Provisions Interest 4,700 — — — 0,661 0,190 0,450 0,470 End-of-year result – 13,335 – 7,151 – 2,937 0,345 (46) An analysis of the figures shows that turnover decreased in 1998 and was supposed to recover in 1999 and then to increase by 25 % in the last year of the restructuring plan. The plan relied mainly on the success of the new stoves and custom-tailored safety enclosures to be developed by DGI, which were to give a considerable boost to turnover, thus restoring long-term viability. In view of the state of the market, this assumption did not seem realistic and was based on external factors over which the company had no influence. (47) (48) The report on DGI's insolvency proceedings clearly states that the company's market strategy was wrong and that it was unrealistic to offset falling demand for stoves with the expected success of a new stove. As regards the custom-tailored safety enclosures, the report states that entry into this market, which was dominated by a competitor, was not based on realistic price assumptions (19). The restructuring plan submitted in support of the revised account of the restructuring costs was either incomplete or misleading. Overall restructuring costs were considerably higher than those presented in the revised account, which were understated by DEM 13,2 million. The company's planned return to long-term viability was therefore not based on the economic reality. (49) The Commission concludes that the plan was not based on realistic assumptions and was therefore not suitable to restore DGI's long-term viability. 2. No undue distortions of competition (50) Under the restructuring plan, measures must be taken to offset as far as possible adverse effects on competitors; otherwise, the aid granted in the context of privatisation would be contrary to the common interest and ineligible for exemption under Article 87(3)(c). (51) Where an objective assessment of the demand and supply situation indicates structural overcapacity in a relevant market in the Community, the restructuring plan must make a contribution, propor- tionate to the amount of aid received, to the restructuring of the industry serving the relevant market by irreversibly reducing or closing capacity. (19) In this area, a turnover of DEM 15 million to DEM 18 million was expected for 1998, but a figure of only DEM 5 million was actually achieved. 4. 1. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 1/19 (52) Measures to adapt production were taken in the context of restructuring (20). Germany states that, after implementation of the restructuring plan, the company's annual production would have been reduced by 8 500 units. This would have been achieved mainly by transferring part of production to the Czech Republic. Since the relevant market is at least Europe-wide, the Commission cannot consider a transfer of production to another European country as a permanent capacity reduction within the meaning of the guidelines. Moreover, according to Germany, total output after adaptation represents capacity utilisation of only 54 %. It is therefore clear that the company's potential capacity remains unaltered and that the reduction is by no means permanent. (53) The Commission notes that both the main and secondary markets in which DGI is active are saturated and suffer from overcapacity. Nevertheless, DGI did not plan any reduction in capacity and was expecting to increase turnover. Even allowing for the fact that DGI is an SME located in an assisted area under Article 87(3)(a) (21), the Commission cannot rule out the possibility that competi- tors may have been adversely affected in view of the manifest overcapacity on the relevant markets. It also notes that DGI employs 234 people and only just meets the criteria for an SME within the meaning of the Community guidelines on State aid for small and medium-sized enterprises (22). 3. Aid in proportion to restructuring costs and benefits (54) The amount and intensity of the aid must be limited to the strict minimum needed to enable restructuring to be undertaken and must be related to the benefits anticipated from the Community's viewpoint. Therefore, the investors must make a contribution to the restructuring plan from their own resources. Moreover, the way in which the aid is granted must be such as to avoid providing the company with surplus liquidity which could be used for aggressive, market-distorting activities not linked to the restructuring process. (55) DGI was granted liquid resources totalling DEM 15,29 million. The payment deferral does not have any liquidity effect. However, the recipient benefits from aid measures amounting to at least DEM 17,22 million. (56) According to the revised account submitted by Germany, to DEM 27,11 million. However, they seem to have been understated by some DEM 13 million and should total DEM 40,31 million. It is therefore impossible to determine whether the financial aid to cover these costs was sufficient for the restructuring exercise. the restructuring costs amount (57) The investors have undertaken to contribute a total of DEM 9,88 million from their own resources. As the overall restructuring costs are uncertain, it is difficult to evaluate the proportionality of the investors' own contribution, which seems to cover 24 to 36 % of the restructuring costs. 4. Full implementation of the restructuring plan (58) The company must fully implement the restructuring plan submitted to the Commission. Germany has not informed the Commission to what extent the restructuring plan was implemented before insolvency proceedings were opened, although this was specifically required when the investigation procedure was initiated and the information injunction issued. In view of the missing information and the fact that the restructuring period was from 1997 to 2000 and the company filed for insolvency on 3 March 1999, the Commission considers that this condition of the guidelines has not been met. (20) These included transferring production of spare parts to other companies, outsourcing maintenance activities and adapting several areas of production. (21) Case C 169/95 Spain v Commission [1997] ECR I-135. (22) See footnote 3. L 1/20 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 1. 2001 (59) The Commission finds that Germany has unlawfully implemented the aid for Dessauer Geräteindus- trie GmbH in breach of Article 88(3) of the Treaty and that the aid is incompatible with the common market, VI. CONCLUSIONS HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 The State aid which Germany has implemented for Dessauer Geräteindustrie GmbH, amounting to at least EUR 6,93 million (DEM 13,57 million), plus interest, is incompatible with the common market. According to the information available, the aid consists of the following measures: — loan from the Bundesanstalt für vereinigungsbedingte Sonderaufgaben (BvS) amounting to EUR 3,39 million (DEM 6,64 million), — grant from the BvS amounting to EUR 2,55 million (DEM 5 million), — the repayment of a deferred debt to the BvS which amounts to EUR 0,98 million (DEM 1,93 million) according to Germany, or EUR 1,36 million (DEM 2,66 million) according to the report on DGI's insolvency proceedings, whichever sum is correct, together with the interest due thereon. Article 2 Germany shall take all necessary measures to recover from the recipient the aid referred to in Article 1. 1 and unlawfully made available to it. 2. Recovery shall be effected in accordance with the procedures of national law. The aid to be recovered shall include interest from the date on which it was at the disposal of the recipient until the date of its recovery. Interest shall be calculated on the basis of the reference rate used for calculating the grant equivalent of regional aid. Germany shall inform the Commission, within two months of notification of this Decision, of the measures taken to comply with it. Article 3 This Decision is addressed to the Federal Republic of Germany. Article 4 Done at Brussels, 15 February 2000. For the Commission Mario MONTI Member of the Commission