WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3204/97 by Jean QUERBES to the Commission. Production of durum wheat
30. 4. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 134/113 (98/C 134/146) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3194/97 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (16 October 1997) Subject: Road tax harmonization Can the Commission confirm whether or not it has any plans to introduce EU-wide toad taxes using harmonization powers? Can it also confirm reports that the funds raised from such a tax would be channelled into road improvements? Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (21 November 1997) In July 1996 the Commission made a proposal for a directive on the charging of heavy goods vehicles for the use of certain infrastructures (1) laying down a more refined and harmonised road charging system (including vehicle taxes, road tolls and user charges) than that currently applying under the Directive 93/89/EEC of 25 October 1993 on the application by Member States of taxes on certain vehicles used for the carriage of goods by road and tolls and charges for the use of certain infrastructures (2). The 1996 proposal is currently being examined in the Council and in the Parliament. The Commission has considered that the use of the revenue from vehicle taxes and charges, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, is for the Member States to decide and need not be earmarked for investment in transport infrastructure. However, given the need to find adequate resources for the development of an efficient and environmentally friendly transport system and to better link charges with costs, the Commission is reflecting on whether new pricing instruments should gradually replace existing taxes and charges and on how resulting revenues might be reserved for infrastructure development. Any changes that were proposed as a result of these deliberations would, of course, still have to conform to the principle of subsidiarity. (1) OJ C 59, 26. 2. 1997. (2) OJ L 279, 12. 11. 1993. (98/C 134/147) WRITTEN QUESTION P-3204/97 by Jean Querbes (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (9 October 1997) Subject: Production of durum wheat The European Community, which was once an exporter of durum wheat, has become a net importer and the shortfall is increasing. Does the Commission not think that this reversal in the trend is due to the change in the system of payments to producers of durum wheat according to the production areas? Would the Commission be prepared to propose improving this system so that the European Community could increase its production to reduce its shortfall? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (22 October 1997) The Commission considers the present shortfall in Community durum wheat production to be the result of exceptional weather conditions affecting both the quantity and quality of production