WRITTEN QUESTION E-1838/99 by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission. Food safety shortcomings in Spanish ports.
20. 6. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 170 E/111 (2000/C 170 E/130) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1836/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission Subject: Utilisation of Objective 2 funds for aid for Greece (13 October 1999) In the debate in Parliament on granting emergency aid to Athens to address the consequences of the earthquake, Commissioner Kinnock, voicing the Commissionís view, stated that the Commission would examine jointly with the Greek Government the possibility of using Objective 2 funds for this purpose. Given that Greece has been classified as Objective 1, will the Commission say how the regions affected by the earthquake will be given aid from Objective 2 funds? Was the Commissioner referring to the current Community Support Framework? Are there any proposals which the Commission would like to unveil? Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (18 November 1999) The Honourable Memberís question must be based on a misunderstanding because the whole of Greece is eligible under Objective 1 of the Structural Funds, during both the current programming period and the next period, 2000-2006. Any aid given by the Structural Funds to the disaster regions as a result of the earthquake of 7 September 1999 will therefore be granted from operational programmes under either this Community support framework or the next. The Commission is awaiting specific proposals from the Greek authorities on this point. (2000/C 170 E/131) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1838/99 by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission Subject: Food safety shortcomings in Spanish ports (13 October 1999) At the end of August 1999, the European Commission published a report of veterinary inspections carried out by the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) in Spanish airports and ports from November 1998 to March 1999. During these inspections serious deficiencies were discovered in the sanitary procedures at some Spanish border posts charged with carrying out checks on food safety. Taking into account the conclusions of the report, to be found on the web site of Directorate-General XXIV, what action does the Commission plan to take against the Spanish authorities in order to remedy the situation denounced by the FVO report? Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (9 November 1999) Two recent visits have been made to Spain by the Commissionís Food and veterinary office (FVO), one in November 1998 and one in February 1999. The results of the missions have been published in their final form on the web site of the Health and consumer protection directorate general, including comments and reactions to the findings in the draft report from the Spanish authorities. Written responses to the deficiencies identified in this report have been received by the Commission, which is still in discussion with the Spanish authorities regarding specific recommendations. C 170 E/112 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 20. 6. 2000 The Spanish authorities have indicated that as regards inadequate facilities they are making the necessary modifications or planning new facilities. In the case of deficiencies in the procedures carried out at the border posts, immediate administrative action has been taken to improve matters. Recommendations for change to the listing of border inspection posts from either the FVO or by Member States are considered regularly several times each year by the Commission, with a view to amending the published list of border posts (Commission Decision 97/0778/EC of 22 July 1997 drawing up a list of border inspection posts (BIPs) agreed for veterinary checks on products and animals from third countries, laying down detailed rules concerning the checks to be carried out by the experts of the Commission and repealing Decision 96/0742/EC (1)). The list of border inspection posts was recently amended by Com- mission Decision 1999/0577/EC of 20 July 1999 (2). (1) OJ L 315, 19. 11. 1997. (2) OJ L 219, 19. 8. 1999. (2000/C 170 E/132) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1841/99 by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission (13 October 1999) Subject: Construction of a solar thermal power plant at Frangokastello in the Sfakia region of Crete, Greece I have received complaints from residents of Frangokastello in the Sfakia region of Crete about plans to construct a solar thermal power plant in the area, which will, however, be powered by liquid gas as an alternative during periods of reduced sunlight. According to these complaints, finance for the construction of the plant is also to be provided by the European Union under the Thermie programme. Will the Commission say whether, in fact, it plans to fund this project? If so, to what extent has an environmental impact assessment been carried out, both from the environmental viewpoint ü the region has been designated an area of exceptional natural beauty and is covered by the Natura 2000 programme ü and from the economic and cultural points of view as the plant is to be built in the vicinity of an archaeological site and villages and towns with a thriving tourist industry, which provides the basic source of income for the population? Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission (17 November 1999) Within the Thermie programme, the project TE-235-96 (thermal solar European power station at Frangokastello, Crete-Theseus) has received support for its first phase, which regards the design of the plant. Implementation of the project will be fully dependent on the national (Greek) legislation and procedure as far as permissions and authorisations are needed for the land use, spatial planning, environmental impact, building, operation, and connection to the grid. If such authorisations are not granted, the project will not be eligible for further support. In particular,the Frangokastello area is located within a site included in the list of sites of Community importance proposed by the Hellenic authorities by virtue of Council Directive 92/0043/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (1) for the Natura 2000 network. The relevant environmental impact studies carried out for the development should therefore take proper account of the conservation value of that site so that its deterioration can be avoided