WRITTEN QUESTION E-1087/00 by Carmen Fraga Estévez (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Problems peculiar to the Italian canning industry.
13. 2. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 46 E/121 Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (18 May 2000) The Commission was informed of the problems relating to the construction of a dam on the river Umia near Caldas de Reis in Galicia by petition 79/98 from Parliamentís Committee on Petitions, and Written Question 1824/99 by Mr Nogueira RomÆn (1). The Commission decided to investigate the case and registered it under B-1999/2271. It asked the Spanish authorities to comment on the project and the environmental impact study which had been carried out. Their reply has just arrived and the Commission is now examining it with reference to Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the impact of certain public and private projects on the environment (2). It should be noted that the area where the dam in question is due to be built has not been classified by the Spanish authorities as a special protection area for birds under Article 4 of Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (3). Neither was it identified by the scientific community as an áimportant area for birdsí in the inventory prepared for the Commission in 1998 by national experts and Birdlife. Moreover, the Spanish authorities have not identified it as a site of Community importance for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network under Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (4). Therefore, as far as nature conservation is concerned, this case appears to be the responsibility of the Spanish national and regional authorities alone. At all events, the Commission, as guardian of the Treaties, will take the necessary measures to ensure that Community law is complied with in the case in question. (1) OJ C 225 E, 8. 8. 2000, p. 25. (2) OJ C 175, 5. 7. 1985, p. 40. (3) OJ C 103, 25. 4. 1979, p. 1. (4) OJ C 206, 22. 7. 1992, p. 7. (2001/C 46 E/130) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1087/00 by Carmen Fraga EstØvez (PPE-DE) to the Commission (7 April 2000) Subject: Problems peculiar to the Italian canning industry According to the findings of the recent study of needs as regards supplies of tuna loins from Community industry, the difficulties encountered by the industry in being competitive are confined to structural problems relating to cost structure in certain Italian undertakings. In view of these facts, what led the Commission to believe that the answer to a structural problem affecting certain undertakings might lie in the indiscriminate trade measures it advocated in its proposal for a regulation on the common organisation of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products, which would reduce the competitiveness of the remainder of Community industry? Does it agree with the findings of the study? Does it intend to take any structural action to assist in the restructuring of the aforementioned under- takings and enhance their competitiveness? C 46 E/122 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 13. 2. 2001 Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (16 May 2000) The Commission does not agree with the Honourable Memberís assertion that the Community tuna industry is uncompetitive solely because a number of Italian firms face structural difficulties. The Honourable Member is invited to reread closely the study which the Commission asked to be drawn up on this matter and which highlights the fact that all Community firms in this sector are, or may potentially be, structurally weak. It is clear that the firms themselves are primarily responsible for taking structural measures, which constitute the only means of restoring their long-term competitiveness. For its part, the Commission is prepared to support such measures as fall within Member Statesí structural programmes for fisheries. In the meantime, short-term measures ü such as the Councilís annual opening, since 1997, of a tariff quota for tuna loins ü can go some way towards helping the Communityís canned tuna industry. In 1997, for example, Spain and Italy respectively used up 56 % and 44 % of the tuna loin quota. As already indicated in its answer to Written Questions E-756/00 to E-761/00 by Mr Varela Suanzes- Carpegna (1), the Commission is largely able to endorse the studyís content as a sound analysis of the circumstances, challenges and strategic options facing the sector as a whole. (1) OJ C 26 E, 26. 1. 2001, p. 104. (2001/C 46 E/131) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1094/00 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission (7 April 2000) Subject: Cotton-growing in Greece Under the Agricultural and Home Affairs Ministriesí Interministerial Decision No 38570/10. 2. 2000, the Greek State has designated cotton-growing as ácontrolledí cultivation and has imposed conditions on cotton producers. In practice, however, these have the effect of preventing cotton-growing for a large proportion of those concerned. Thus, for example, long-standing producers wishing to increase production above their average over the last three years may not do so, while new producers who wish to start growing may do so only if they have inherited the farming land. Could the Commission say whether it these arrangements and others contained in the above-mentioned Greek interministerial decision are consistent with Community legislation and, if not, what action it intends to take to remedy the situation? this situation, whether it considers that is aware of Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (10 May 2000) The Commission, recently informed of the situation to which the Honourable Member refers, has asked the Greek authorities for the texts covering the Decision, and thus cannot comment at this stage