WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1374/98 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Integrated control system for EAGGF aid
C 386/120 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 11. 12. 98 (98/C 386/162) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1374/98 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (7 May 1998) Subject: Integrated control system for EAGGF aid It is reported that the implementation of the integrated control system for EAGGF aid (Council Regulation (EEC) 3508/92) (1) in Greece has run into difficulties, resulting in delays in the payment of aid to eligible producers. Will the Commission say: 1. What specific problems are affecting the management of the integrated control system for aid in Greece? 2. What funding has Greece received so far for developing and implementing the integrated control system for aid? 3. Will this system be part of the new payments and control agency for Community guidance and guarantee aid which the Greek Government is currently setting up to replace the existing payments agency (Gedidagep)? 4. Do producers run any risk of losing Community aid, due to problems in the management of the integrated control system for aid? (1) OJ L 355, 5. 12. 1992, p. 1. Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (10 June 1998) In the Commissionís view the problems encountered in Greece at the time of the adoption of the integrated administration and control system should not cause any delays in the payment of aid to farmers. Regarding the precise questions raised by the Honourable Member, the following should be pointed out: 1. First of all, there have been long delays in setting up the land registry. This land registry, which aims to establish an alphanumeric system of identification of agricultural plots, should have been operational by 1 January 1997 at the latest. Secondly, there have been failures at the level of certain administration and control procedures, involving a risk of expenditure not in conformity with Community legislation. 2. For the years 1993 to 1996, Greece benefited from financial aid of ECU 2. 5 million. 3. To date, the Commission has received no official notification of the abolition of the body mentioned and the transfer of its responsibilities to other national authorities. 4. The problems noted should not involve a loss of aid to producers. (98/C 386/163) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1387/98 by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) and Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission Subject: Peat mines in the Polesia region in Belarus (7 May 1998) Is the Commission aware of the importance of the peat mines in the Polesia region in Belarus as a carbon sink and as an area of outstanding importance for biodiversity? What can the Commission do to help conserve this area as part of its strategies on climate change and biodiversity conservation? Is there an EU fund available for such support?