WRITTEN QUESTION No. 131/99 by Sirkka-Liisa ANTTILA Implementation and monitoring of food aid for Russia
21. 12. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 370/19 (1999/C 370/023) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0026/99 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission (13 January 1999) Subject: Biodiversity In view of the Commission’s response, E-0649/97 (1) on the subject of integrating the environment into other EU policies, and in view of the impact of the common agricultural policy on biodiversity in the European Union, will the Commission confirm that all proposals in the Commission’s work programme connected with the CAP have green stars, so that an environmental assessment will be required? (1) OJ C 367, 4. 12. 1997, p. 33. Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (10 February 1999) In preparing the Agenda 2000 proposals related to the common agricultural policy (CAP) (1), the Commission ensured that the environmental dimension was satisfactorily integrated and this was indicated in the explanatory memorandum of these proposals. No new proposals connected with the CAP are foreseen this year which could have a major impact on biodiversity in the Community. Consequently, for 1999 only the proposal for the reform of the market organisation for cotton has been marked with a ‘green star’. The environmental appraisal required by the so-called green stars exercise refers to a basic process of identifying potentially significant impacts. Where appropriate, a more thorough environmental assessment will be undertaken. The communication of the Commission to the Council and to the Parliament on a Community biodiversity strategy, adopted on 4 February 1998 (2), announced the preparation of action plans by the Commission for the policy areas concerned, including agriculture. The completion of such action plans is due for February 2000. (1) COM(98) 158 final. (2) COM(98) 42 final. (1999/C 370/024) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0131/99 by Sirkka-Liisa Anttila (ELDR) to the Commission (27 January 1999) Subject: Implementation and monitoring of food aid for Russia On the basis of a request by Russia for food, the Commission drafted its proposal to the Council for a programme of food aid for Russia as a matter of urgency. Preparations are currently being made to implement the programme. Pursuant to Article 1(2) of Council Regulation 2802/98 (1), free food aid to Russia is to be supplied only to the neediest regions. Moreover, it was entered in the minutes of the Council that none of the food aid should be supplied to Moscow and St Petersburg or surrounding regions. Yet in the tender regulations concerning cereals, beef and skimmed milk powder, the Commission has indicated St Petersburg as one of the destinations for the products. According to the Council statement concerning the destination of the products, St Petersburg ought to have been excluded, to ensure that the food aid did not distort normal trade. The Commission does not have any powers to monitor the implementation of the programme within the Russian Federation. However, in the tender regulations concerning rye and wheat for Russia the first ports