WRITTEN QUESTION E-0875/00 by Lucio Manisco (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Embargo against Iraq and the price of oil.
20. 3. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 89 E/3 In the last five years five veterinary inspection missions of the Commissionís food and veterinary office (FVO) have been carried out at the Italian border inspection post of Gorizia to monitor the proper enforcement of Directive 91/628/EEC. Based on the outcome of the missions the Commission has intervened with the Italian authorities on a number of occasions concerning the inadequate enforcement of Italian legislation transposing the requirements of Council Directive 91/628/EEC and in particular requesting the proper resting of the animals at the border inspection posts. The FVO reports have recommended for animals, which have already been travelling for more than the prescibed times, to be rested for 24 hours when they cross the border. Concerning the note from the Italian authorities mentioned by the Honourable Member, the Commission is hoping that it will constitute an improvement for the activity related to the protection of animals transported on long distance journeys. The Commission will continue to monitor the proper enforcement of Community legislation in this field by the Italian authorities at the border inspection post of Gorizia. (1) OJ L 148, 30. 6. 1995. (2) OJ L 174, 2. 7. 1997. (2001/C 89 E/003) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0875/00 by Lucio Manisco (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (22 March 2000) Subject: Embargo against Iraq and the price of oil In the last 12 months the price of refined petroleum products in Europe has risen sharply (by 21 % in Italy) and in the last few days the price of crude oil on the New York stock exchange rose to more than USD 32 a barrel. This worrying rise in the price of fuel and petroleum by-products is solely due to reductions in the amount put onto the market by the OPEC countries. At the same time we are witnessing the suffering caused in Iraq by an embargo which continues to penalise the weakest sections of the population (the World Health Organisation announced back in 1996 that the sanctions had directly caused the deaths of more than one million people, including half a million children). Does the Commission not consider that an embargo which penalises only the weakest sections of the population is a violation of the most basic human rights? Does the Commission not consider that it must take steps to persuade the United Nations to review the embargo against Iraq as a matter of urgency? Does it not consider that if Iraq resumes marketing crude oil the OPEC countries may revise their intransigent position? Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (10 May 2000) In order to soften the impact on ordinary Iraqi citizens of the sanction regime imposed on their country since 1990, the Community as the major donor of humanitarian assistance has provided € 250 million during the 1991-1999 period. Several Member States have also provided large aid contributions within bilateral frameworks. With the oil-for-food facility in place in 1997, humanitarian needs were expected to be met without resource to outside assistance. However, largely due to a lack of cooperation from the Iraqi authorities, the implementation of this facility has been slow. It cannot compensate for the erosion of the countryís basic infrastructures and the subsequent worsening of the economic and humanitarian situation, which in particular is affecting the most vulnerable segment of the population. Up to now, only about a quarter of the funds from the facility has been effectively allocated to humanitarian assistance reaching the final beneficiaries. C 89 E/4 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 20. 3. 2001 The humanitarian relief provided either by donors or through the oil-for-food facility can at best only off- set for a short term some of the worst effects of the breakdown of the Iraqi economy including food production and supply. An economic recovery and long term reconstruction can only come about after an end to the embargo, but this requires the full and constructive cooperation of the Iraqi authorities with the United Nations (UN). By UN Security Council Resolution No 1284, UN Member States have proposed to lift the sanctions, subject to reinstating a monitoring and controlling mechanism. Iraq has unfortunately so far not accepted the resolution, but neither has it officially rejected it. The Commission fully supports efforts which may engage the Iraqi government in a dialogue on the implementation of the resolution and the subsequent lifting of the sanctions. the Iraqi oil The high oil prices during the last year have increased the revenues under the oil-for-food facility. As a consequence, income might exceed the ceiling established by the UN for oil-for-food arrangement. If the sanctions and as a result the ceiling are lifted, the level of Iraqi oil production will be determined by the capacity of its oil production infrastructure. This is in a dire state due to years of maintenance neglect and will limit any significant increase of the production output in the short-term, since rehabilitation works will take years. (2001/C 89 E/004) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0920/00 by Theresa Villiers (PPE-DE) to the Commission (25 March 2000) Subject: Tax groups Can the Commission please provide details of all formal and informal groups and committees currently active in the field of taxation and taxation policy at EU level? Specifically, could the Commission please state: (a) the remit of these groups, (b) their composition, (c) the date these groups first met, and (d) what future meetings are scheduled? Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission (10 May 2000) The following committees and working groups are currently operating in the taxation field under the auspices of the Commission: ü The Value Added Tax Committee, composed of representatives of the administrations concerned and chaired by a Commission official, is a forum for discussion of VAT issues and gives its opinion, in an advisory capacity, on all questions of application of the Sixth VAT Directive. It was established on the first on basis of Article 29 of 23/24 November 1977. The next meeting is scheduled for 27 June 2000. the Sixth VAT Directive (77/388/EEC) (1). The Committee met ü The Excise Committee is composed of representatives of the indirect tax administrations of Member States and is chaired by a Commission official. It acts as a committee assisting the Commission in its tasks of laying down measures for the application of certain provisions of Council Directive 92/12/ CEE of 25 February 1992 on the general arrangements for products subject to excise duty and on the holding movement and monitoring of such products (2) (under the regulatory committee procedure) and, as a forum allowing Member States to discuss about matters concerning the application and interpretation of Community excise provisions. It meets three or four times per year. It met for the first time on 7/8 May 1992 and its next meeting is scheduled for 6/7 July 2000