WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1766/97 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Fitting of gas 'traps' to HGV exhausts and Community funding
22. 1. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 21/93 (98/C 21/193) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1766/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (27 May 1997) Subject: Fitting of gas átrapsí to HGV exhausts and Community funding According to a report in the Greek newspaper Athina ¤ki, the Commissionís LIFE programme encourages the fitting of átrapsí to HGV exhaust-pipes, which greatly reduces pollutant emissions. The report also states that the Commission pays 50% of the cost involved, the other 50% being covered by the Member State. Will the Commission state the terms on which hauliers may apply to have a átrapí fitted to their vehiclesí exhaust? How many applications have been received from Greece and what is the total amount given to that country? Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (4 July 1997) The Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member that it is unaware of the information set out in the Greek Athina ¤kií newspaper on the subject referred to. Moreover, although a draft proposal concerning átraps for particulates emitted by diesel enginesí was indeed put forward in the LIFE programme in 1996 and 1997 no such proposal has so far been adopted for co-financing. The LIFE programme could possibly finance a project proposal on the subject in question provided that it meets the criteria laid down by Council LIFE (EC) Regulation No 1404/96 of 15 July 1996 (1) amending Council Regulation 1973/92 on the creation of a financial instrument for the environment, and more particularly, that of being demonstrative and innovative in nature and of being selected for co-financing on completion of the Commission’s selection procedure. The LIFE financial support is 30% of the spending that is eligible for projects generating revenue, and 50% of the spending for other activities. (1) OJ L 181, 20. 7. 1996. (98/C 21/194) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1767/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (27 May 1997) Subject: Selection of staff for the European Environment Agency (EEA) The European Environment Agency is funded from the EU budget. The Agency has a shortage of Greek staff, whose presence is confined to the vice-chairmanship of the EEAís Scientific Committee and ex officio placements of Greek civil servants. A new process of selecting staff (átemporary agentsí) at grades A7, A6 and A5 is already under way. Will the Commission, therefore, say whether the selection process will endeavour to observe the required balance of nationalities among the EEAís staff so that Greek nationals are adequately represented at this very important European Agency? Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (1 July 1997) The European environment agency is an independent body with legal personality even though it is funded almost entirely by a subsidy from the Community budget. Article 9 of Regulation (EEC) No 1210/90 on the establishment of the European environment agency and the Europeanenvironment information and observation