WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4009/97 by Daniel VARELA SUANZES- CARPEGNA to the Commission. Competitiveness of Community slate production
C 196/56 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 6. 98 As suggested in the question, the 5th RTD framework programme proposal (2) is designed to enhance the support to the participation of SMEs namely through the programme Innovation and SMEsí. Undertakings from the slate sector will have opportunities to participate as in the past, in particular in the activities under the themes Creating a user friendly information and societyí and Promoting a competitive and sustainable growthí. (1) OJ L 126, 18. 5. 1994. (2) COM(97) 142 final. (98/C 196/77) WRITTEN QUESTION E-4009/97 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission (14 January 1998) Subject: Competitiveness of Community slate production The production of slate in the Community constitutes an industry with a long tradition and good prospects for the future, located in a number of Member States. In Spain alone, it employs 4 800 people directly and over 19 000 indirectly, in peripheral regions which are lagging behind or in declining industrial regions. The competitiveness of the sector is now being seriously threatened by imports of finished slate from third countries which operate less rigorous standards in terms of working conditions and the environment than those applying in the EU. Is the Commission aware of this state of affairs? Can it state what measures it has adopted or intends to adopt to stimulate the competitiveness of slate production in the Community? Can it state which countries are exporting slate to the EU and specify the quantities and conditions concerned? Can it provide information on the customs tariff applying to imports of finished slate? Can it provide information on the economic and trade agreements between the EU and third countries which have a direct or indirect impact on slate production in the third countries concerned? (98/C 196/78) WRITTEN QUESTION E-4011/97 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission (14 January 1998) Subject: Exports of slate from the Community The EU imports far more slate from third countries › such as China or Brazil › than it exports to the same countries. Can the Commission state what measures it has adopted or intends to adopt to stimulate exports of slate from the Community to third countries? Joint answer to Written Questions E-4009/97 and E-4011/97 given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (6 February 1998) The Community is a net exporter of finished slate. In 1996 it exported 43 610 tonnes (7 997 of which came from Spain), while its imports totalled 26 639 tonnes. The trend for 1997, estimated on the basis of the figures for the first six months, seems to give the same result in the same proportions as for 1996