WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1914/98 by José APOLINÁRIO to the Commission. Implementation of Regulation (EEC) No 2080/92
18. 1. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 13/117 The Commission is so far satisfied that the way in which the Eurovignette is paid in the different Member States adequately meets the needs of both domestic and foreign hauliers and it does not therefore consider the harmonisation of payment practices in the six Eurovignette Member States to be necessary. (1) OJ L 279, 12. 11. 1993. (1999/C 13/165) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1914/98 by JosØ ApolinÆrio (PSE) to the Commission (16 June 1998) Subject: Implementation of Regulation (EEC) 2080/92 As regards implementation of Regulation (EEC) 2080/92 (1), does the Commission believe that parts of an afforestation project other than land planted with trees (fire-breaks, roads, and waterbodies) should be included in the project for the purposes of the premiums to cover maintenance costs and income losses? (1) OJ L 215, 30. 7. 1992, p. 96. Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (27 July 1998) The Community aid scheme for forestry measures in agriculture instituted by Council Regulation (EEC) 2080/92 of 30 June 1992 (1) is designed to promote afforestation of agricultural land and is part-financed by the Guarantee Section of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF). The aid scheme may comprise: aid for afforestation costs (including, in the case of the Portuguese programme, aid for building forest roads, firebreaks and waterpoints); an annual premium per hectare afforested to cover maintenance costs in the first five years; an annual premium per hectare to cover loss of income resulting from afforestation of agricultural land; investment aid for improving woodlands by providing firebreaks, waterpoints and forest roads, and for improving cork oak stands. The first three categories of aid are intended for afforestation undertaken on agricultural land, while the fourth is intended for existing farm woodland. Under Regulation (EEC) 2080/92, maintenance premiums are reserved for afforestation and are payable for five years following planting. Premiums covering loss of income are payable to persons undertaking afforestation of agricultural land. If the infrastructure work referred to by the Honourable Member is undertaken in the course of afforesting agricultural land, its cost would form part of the afforestation costs and the newly-planted areas and their infrastructure would therefore definitely be covered by the premiums for maintenance and loss of income. Conversely, if the infrastructure work is to be undertaken in existing woodland › whether or not of the type covered by the fourth category of aid referred to above (farm woodland) › or in other agricultural areas not affected by afforestation, the premiums for maintenance and loss of income cannot be granted. It should be stressed that the main purpose of the aid scheme is to promote afforestation of agricultural land. (1) OJ L 215, 30. 7. 1992