WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1987/97 by Gianni TAMINO to the Commission. Projects for cetificates of quality for beef and veal
C 45/136 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 10. 2. 98 (98/C 45/175) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1982/97 by Jesu·s Cabezo·n Alonso (PSE) to the Commission (9 June 1997) Subject: Intergovernmental Conference and EU enlargement When the Intergovernmental Conference has concluded its work, negotiations will commence on the future enlargement of the EU. Does this statement mean that negotiations will begin as soon as the IGC is over, or that they will begin once the new Treaty which emerges from the IGC has been ratified by each and every one of the European Unionís 15 present Member States? Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission (28 July 1997) As confirmed by the Amsterdam European Council (16-17 June 1997), it is the conclusion of the inter governmental conference (IGC) that opens the way for the launching of the enlargement process. The above European Council also indicated that, with a view to enabling the actual opening of negotiations as soon as possible after December 1997, the European Council in December 1997 will take the necessary decisions on the overall enlargement process including practical arrangements for the initial phase of negotiations and the reinforcement of the Communityís pre-accession strategy as well as other possible means to strengthen cooperation between the Community and all applicant countries. (98/C 45/176) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1987/97 by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission (9 June 1997) Subject: Projects for cetificates of quality for beef and veal At a recent meeting held in Venice in April by the European Quality Beef association, it was announced that the first 13 projects for certificates of quality for beef and veal were to be launched, using ECU 18 million of the ECU 32 million provided overall by the European Union. Can the Commission supply documents relating to these projects? As a new Community regulation (No 820/97) (1) has been published on this subject, what connection is there between that regulation and the funding for self-certification and voluntary cooperatives? (1) OJ L 117, 7. 5. 1997, p. 1. Answer given by Mr. Fischler on behalf of the Commission (17 July 1997) By a decision of 8 April 1997 the Commission approved 13 quality beef promotion programmes for the 1996/97 marketing year. These are being funded at a rate of 60%, i. e. ECU 11 million will be paid of their total cost of ECU 18. 5 million. Further information can be obtained from the competent bodies of the 15 Member States (Annex II to Regulation (EEC) No 1318/93 (1)). The new Regulation (EC) No 820/97 (2) is not concerned with promotion of quality beef. It establishes a general system for identification and registration of bovine animals and also covers labelling of beef and beef products. It thus has no bearing on the funding to which the Honourable Member refers