WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2847/97 by Mark WATTS to the Commission. Financial assistance to farmers
3. 4. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 102/135 (98/C 102/201) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2845/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission (11 September 1997) Subject: Voluntary environmental protection agreements The Commission regards voluntary agreements between industry and governments to reduce pollution as an important aspect of environment policy. The effectiveness of such agreements, however, is a disputed matter, particularly in the area of climate protection. 1. What is the Commissionís experience regarding the effectiveness of voluntary self-regulation in the environment sector? Does the Commission consider that there is a need in future to lay down clear general conditions, 2. enforceable contracts and penalties for voluntary self-regulation in the environment sector? 3. If not, how does the Commission justify that view? 4. What is the Commissionís view of the practice in the Netherlands whereby enforceable obligations referred to as covenants are laid down in the National Environment Policy Plan (NEPP)? Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (10 October 1997) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its Communication on Environmental Agreements’ (1), on which both Parliament and the Council have adopted resolutions, and to its contribution to the debate on Mrs Graenitz’s report on the Communication on 22 July 1997. (1) Doc. COM(96) 561. (98/C 102/202) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2847/97 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission (11 September 1997) Subject: Financial assistance to farmers Can the Commission please indicate what financial assistance is available to farmers who find themselves in financial difficulties following the loss of the majority of the soft fruit crop due to unseasonable and unexpected frosts? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (29 September 1997) According to Article 5(h) of Regulation (EEC) No 4256/88, laying down provisions for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 as regards the European agriculture guidance and guarantee fund (EAGGF) guidance section (1), farmers in regions falling under objectives 1 and 5b of the structural funds who suffered from natural disaster can receive financial aid in the framework of the respective regional operational programmes. This aid can only be used for restructuring the production potential. Possible compensation of income losses as a result of natural disaster falls into the responsibility of the Member States. (1) OJ L 374, 31. 12. 1988