WRITTEN QUESTION E-1200/00 by Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN) to the Commission. The commune of Casarano.
C 53 E/98 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 20. 2. 2001 The proposal provides, under its article 7, a reduced minimum rate of excise duty to be applied Community-wide on diesel used as propellant in agriculture, the level of which should be fixed at first stage at 32 € per 1000 litres. This proposal should contribute considerably, if adopted, to the approxima- tion of taxation levels applied by individual Member States in the area of fuels used for agricultural purposes. This proposal has not yet been adopted by the Council. The Commission has made a considerable effort so far to make this adoption possible and has declared its willingness to examine compromise solutions aimed at reducing the economic effect on certain Member State economies. These may include provisions providing for arrangements such as reduced minimum rates of taxation for certain energy products, transitional periods or tax exemptions or reductions for energy intensive industries. Finally, on the issue of VAT, given the current conditions (no approximation of tax rates, numerous special arrangements, options, derogations), it is unlikely that any significant progress towards a single rate to be applied Community-wide will be made in the immediate future. VAT rates currently applied on diesel used for agricultural purposes vary between 12 and 25 %. (1) OJ L 316, 31. 10. 1992. (2) OJ C 139, 6. 5. 1997. (2001/C 53 E/128) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1200/00 by Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN) to the Commission (12 April 2000) Subject: The commune of Casarano On 21 March 2000 a demonstration was held in the commune of Casarano (in the province of Lecce), called Fifth day of remembrance and commitment in honour of the victims of Mafia-type organisationsí, sponsored principally by the European Commission. Can the Commission say how much and what form of aid it used to support this initiative? Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission (27 June 2000) The Commission would inform the Honourable Member that it provided no moral, financial or logistical support to the demonstration in question. Acting in a personal capacity, however, the Commission President lent his patronage to the event. (2001/C 53 E/129) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1201/00 by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE) to the Commission Subject: Construction of residential tower blocks on the Ijmeer (12 April 2000) Luxury tower blocks are under construction in Almere in the area beyond the dyke along the Ijmeer. The Ijmeer is covered by the wild birds directive and the habitats directive and it is also part of the national ecological network. the Commissionís view that Is it demonstrated) building plans of this nature cannot go ahead? there is no overriding interest if (or at least if it has not been