WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3211/98 by Bernard CASTAGNEDE to the Commission. Compensation for banana producers following hurricane Georges
15. 10. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 297/57 The Commission has asked the Member States to provide details of their own national climate change strategies so that it can develop an overall cost-effective and environmentally sound Community climate change strategy. It intends to come forward with a new communication on this by June 1999. The Commission does not have the information available at this stage to make an informed reply to this 4. question. 5. The European investment bank (EIB), as an important provider of funds for the development of the Community’s economy, already takes into account the environmental objectives of the Community when making loans. The Commission will work to ensure that the EIB takes due account in its lending of the importance of the Community meeting its Kyoto target. (1) COM(98) 571 final. (1999/C 297/075) WRITTEN QUESTION P-3205/98 by Anne McIntosh (PPE) to the Commission (16 October 1998) Subject: European overnight railway services In the light of the decision of the Court of First Instance, does the Commission intend to extend the operating authorisation of European Night Services beyond the present period of eight years? Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (13 November 1998) In its decision of 15 September 1998, the Court of first instance decided that the agreement concerning European night services does not infringe Article 85(1) of the EC Treaty. Under these circumstances a new Commission decision granting an exemption in accordance with the provisions of Article 85(3) of the EC Treaty is not necessary. (1999/C 297/076) WRITTEN QUESTION P-3211/98 by Bernard Castagnède (ARE) to the Commission (19 October 1998) Subject: Compensation for banana producers following hurricane Georges What steps does the Commission intend to take to compensate European and traditional ACP banana producers in the Caribbean whose crops have been devastated by hurricane Georges? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (13 November 1998) Under Council Regulation (EEC) 404/93 of 13 February on the common organisation of the market in bananas (1), the Commission can adopt specific measures if banana supplies to the Community market are affected by exceptional circumstances. It is first of all necessary to establish whether the circumstances really are exceptional. Those resulting from hurricane Georges¢s passage over Guadeloupe are currently being evaluated, so the Commission is not yet in a position to take a decision in the matter