WRITTEN QUESTION No. 329/98 by Luisa TODINI to the Commission. Structural Fund reform
17. 7. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 223/167 Compliance with stringent quality criteria is an essential element in the effective control of fraud, for example the mixing of olive oil with seed oils. For this reason, in the past the Commission has always rejected requests for an exception, like the one presented relating to the arrangements for storage contracts, for a betasitosterol level below that required under the rules. The request for an exception to which the Honourable Member refers, even though justified by special natural conditions, would, if it were accepted, present a major risk of fraud across the whole of the Community and a gradual deterioration in the quality of the oils available on the market. Indeed, one of the arguments put forward by the Honourable Member in support of such an exception, namely, the storage of olives for prolonged periods, is one of the main reasons preventing the production of high-quality oils. In order to limit the negative effectst of failure to comply with certain physical and chemical parameters according to individual circumstances, the Commission, in the context of the updating of the methods provided for under the above Regulation, is examining the technical feasibility of replacing certain methods currently being applied by other parameters which are less subject to specific geographical and climatic variations. (98/C 223/217) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0329/98 by Luisa Todini (UPE) to the Commission (10 February 1998) Subject: Structural Fund reform Can the Commission say what stage has been reached in the drafting of the new Objective 2 Regulation? How exactly does it establish the admissibility criteria for Objective 2 areas? Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (13 March 1998) The Commission is currently developing proposals for the new regulatory framework for the structural funds for the period 2000-2006, based on its document Agenda 2000 (1) which was published in July 1997. The regulations will set out the criteria and delivery system in relation to the new objective 2. The Commission has established a programme of work leading to the adoption of its proposals on 18 March 1998 and their presentation to Parliament and Council immediately thereafter. Parliament is regularly informed on the development of the Commissionís thinking with regard to structural policies in general and the new objective 2 in particular. It is therefore too early to make a definitive statement on the new objective 2 criteria, although the basis remains that established in the Agenda 2000 document. The Commission proposes that the new objective 2 list should be determined according to simple, objective and transparent criteria. These would be used to identify the areas worst affected by changes in the industrial or service sectors, declining rural areas, urban districts in crisis and fisheries dependent areas. The final list of areas would be determined in partnership with the national authorities taking into account national priorities. For regions where the situation has improved and which no longer meet the criteria, the Commission proposes phasing-out arrangements. (1) COM(97) 2000 final