WRITTEN QUESTION E-2006/99 by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) and Rosa Díez González (PSE) to the Council. Replacement of drift nets.
18. 7. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 203 E/111 Answer (24 January 2000) Iran Aid is currently under investigation by the UK Charity Commission. The Council does not make statements about ongoing investigations in Member States. (2000/C 203 E/141) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2004/99 by Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission (9 November 1999) Subject: State aid to the Terra Mítica theme park in Benidorm (Alicante) and its compatibility with the common market In 1997 an organisation known as the European Theme Park Association, of which the company which runs Port Aventura was a principal member, lodged a complaint against the construction of the Terra Mítica theme park in Benidorm on the basis that the project was receiving state aid from the Valencian government. Despite the fact that a considerable period of time has elapsed, no notice of any decision has been received. Does the Commission believe that state aid incompatible with the common market has been granted to the Terra Mítica project in Benidorm? Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (30 November 1999) The Commission has examined closely the complaint referred to by the Honourable Member. It has held several meetings with the complainant, the Spanish authorities and representatives of Terra Mitica. In addition, it has written eleven letters to the Spanish authorities and the complainant and has received twenty-eight replies. This extensive correspondence and the considerable period of time that has elapsed are attributable, on the one hand, to the number of objections notified and the complexity of some of them (valuation of capital contributions and promotion of the theme park, for example) and, on the other, to the fact that the objections have been notified by the complainant over time. The Commission has not yet come to the conclusion that aid within the meaning of Article 87(1) (former Article 92(1)) of the EC Treaty has been granted by the Valencian government and the municipality of Benidorm to the Terra Mitica association. A final decision on this matter will be taken as soon as possible. (2000/C 203 E/142) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2006/99 by Rosa MiguØlez Ramos (PSE) and Rosa Díez GonzÆlez (PSE) to the Council Subject: Replacement of drift nets (9 November 1999) Council Regulation 1239/98 (1) prohibiting the use of drift nets from 2002 states that there must be a gradual reduction in the use of these nets by fleets currently using them. No more than 60 % of fishing boats which used one or more drift nets during the period 1995 to 1997 would be allowed to use them in 1998. The regulation also obliged Member States to provide the Commission with a list of those boats authorised to fish with drift nets by 31 July 1998. C 203 E/112 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 18. 7. 2000 Given the tensions that the use of these nets tends to generate in the fleets fishing in the Bay of Biscay and reports from various fishermenís organisations in the area indicating that nothing like the planned gradual reduction has occurred, would the Council answer the following question: What are the figures on boats operating in the area which have used drift nets from 1995 to the present given to the Council by Member States? Have the Member States complied with the planned reduction in the use of drift nets for the transitional period in preparation for a total ban from 2002? What figures does the Council have on developments in coastal fishing for albacore tuna in 1998 and 1999 as regards catch, nets used and the level of stocks in ICES areas 5b, 6a, 7a, 8a, 9a and 10a? What boats from which countries have fished in these zones during the two years in question? (1) OJ L 171, 17. 6. 1998, p. 1. Answer (24 January 2000) The Council would draw attention to the fact that control and enforcement of Community legislation on the conservation of fishery resources is primarily the responsibility of Member States. The Commission ensures the coordination and supervision of Member Statesí compliance with this obligation. The Council therefore suggests that the Honourable Members address their questions on the implementa- tion of the phasing out of drift nets in accordance with Council Regulation No 1239/98 to the Commission. (2000/C 203 E/143) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2007/99 by Rosa MiguØlez Ramos (PSE) to the Council (9 November 1999) Subject: The fisheries sector and the Millennium Round The communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the EU approach to the WTO Millennium Round (COM(1999) 331 final) makes no specific mention either of fisheries or of the common fisheries policy. Meanwhile, the governments of Australia, the United States, the Philippines, Iceland, Norway, New Zealand and Peru have presented a communication to the WTO on subsidies to the fisheries sector which, should it become reality, would represent a serious threat to the common fisheries policy and the Community fishing industry. The joint document, based on unsubstantiated assumptions which are not backed up by scientific data on zones and fleets, proposes that in the forthcoming WTO negotiations, members should agree to abolish subsidies which encourage over-capacity in the fisheries sector as they distort trade, are a particular threat to sustainable management of fish stocks and hinder sustainable development. the Given the fragile state of the Community fisheries sector and of areas dependent on fisheries, Millennium Round could have serious consequences if the European Union does not mount a determined defence of our fishing industry. What is the Councilís position on the fisheries sector with a view to the Millennium Round?