WRITTEN QUESTION E-0373/00 by Andre Brie (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Release of EU Structural Fund monies on the basis of the designation of FFH areas (Directive 92/43/EEC) in East German Länder.
28. 12. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 374 E/61 In relation to the ETF start-up facility, latest available figures show 49 Community SMEs have received an investment from the funds participating in the facility. Detailed information on the employment creation perspectives of the ETF start-up facility will become available in August 2000 when the EIF will have received the first completed annual questionnaires from SMEs. As far as JEV is concerned, it is too early to predict figures for job creation. The first stage of JEV support is linked to a preparatory work phase and it is only thereafter that the SMEs will decide whether, and under what conditions, the joint venture will be undertaken. Nevertheless, even in this very first phase, SMEs have been asked to estimate the number of jobs that could be created. Based on this, for the 53 joint venture projects approved and according to the declarations made by the applicants, the total job creation could be 788 jobs (or an average of 15 jobs per project). As regards the SME guarantee facility, latest available figures show 7 223 SMEs have benefited from the SME guarantee facility and have declared that they have 32 869 employees. Also for this facility the SMEs are required to estimate the number of jobs that should be created in the near future. Based on their declaration, the total expected number of jobs one year after the signing of the loan agreement is 34 319, i. e. an increase of 1 450 employees. This is expected to increase to 36 988 after another year, i. e. a further increase of 2 669 employees. This would mean an overall increase of 13 % over two years. (2000/C 374 E/071) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0373/00 by Andre Brie (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (14 February 2000) Subject: Release of EU Structural Fund monies on the basis of the designation of FFH areas (Directive 92/43/EEC) in East German Länder Since Germany and some Länder have not yet transposed Council Directive 92/43/EEC (1) of 21 March 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (FFH Directive), even those German Länder that have met with this obligation are threatened with having EU Structural Fund monies frozen. Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, for instance, has in the meantime designated 136 FFH areas, totalling 181 000 ha (7,9 % of its surface area). The Commissionís announced stance would mean that, in particular for the structurally weak East German Länder, the disbursement of funding for Objective 1 assistance and EAGGF funding would be at least delayed. In view of these regionsí serious economic and social problems, there would be extremely adverse consequences. What action does the Commission propose to take to prevent those East German Länder which have met their obligation under the FFH Directive from being penalised for the failings of the Federal Government and of other Länder? Does the Commission think it necessary or possible to consider releasing aid funding on a Land-specific or project-specific basis and to act accordingly? Does the Commission realise that a negative decision not only would have a grave economic and social impact, but would also to lasting damage to the populationís commitment to environmental protection, whereas a positive decision would unquestioningly also be interpreted as recognition of an active environmental policy? (1) OJ L 206, 22. 7. 1992, p. 7. Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (31 March 2000) the Natura 2000 list of sites of Community As the Honourable Member is aware, completion of importance, which also covers sites under Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora and Council Directive of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (1) and which was to be drawn up by June 1998, was delayed by the fact that several Member States, including Germany, failed to submit appropriate proposals. The deadline for proposals elapsed in June 1995. C 374 E/62 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 28. 12. 2000 In view of the late designation of protected sites, as well as to ensure that the Commission is able to fulfil its duties under Article 6 EC Treaty, all Member States were formally reminded by the Commission on 23 June 1999 of their obligation to guarantee the consistency of programmes and projects with both directives. In the meantime, the German Länder ü including Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania ü have announced some protected sites and are preparing further notifications. In view of the legal requirements, programming documents can only be approved if they contain a clear commitment by the German authorities responsible for the relevant region that all possible negative consequences for sites protected or to be protected under Natura 2000 will be properly assessed and appropriate measures taken. In any case, the Commission will assess each plan or programme on its individual content. The Commissionís objective is to promote the socio-economic development of the elegible areas in a way that is consistent with the basic principles of sustainable development. (1) OJ L 103, 25. 4. 1979. (2000/C 374 E/072) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0378/00 by John McCartin (PPE-DE) to the Commission (14 February 2000) Subject: Review of EU sheepmeat regime Can the Commission confirm whether it is carrying out a review of the current EU sheepmeat regime and its effectiveness and indicate when it is likely to publish its conclusions on the subject? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (6 March 2000) An evaluation study is presently being undertaken into the sheepmeat common market organisation. On the basis of the findings of the study, which will be completed by about Easter, the Commission will draw its own conclusions concerning any possible reform or modifications to the regime and, if appropriate, present proposals to this effect later in the year. (2000/C 374 E/073) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0380/00 by Juan Ojeda Sanz (PPE-DE) to the Commission (14 February 2000) Subject: Improvement of road infrastructures in the central and eastern European states The considerable injections of funding provided to the so-called áapplicant statesí to the Union via various European funding bodies (such as the EIB), and through the Unionís budget line (the PHARE programme and the ISPA instrument) should, together with the necessary investments each recipient government is obliged to make, be used to put in place a road network that complies with the principle of áinteroper- abilityí that is necessary to the effective establishment of a ásingle marketí