WRITTEN QUESTION E-2657/99 by António Campos (PSE) to the Commission. Common agricultural policy.
C 330 E/38 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 21. 11. 2000 Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission (6 March 2000) In April 1997 the Commission presented a communication on promoting road safety in the Community (1) which contained a detailed action programme for the period 1997-2001. Following suggestions by the Parliament and the Council the Commission is preparing a further communication which gives a progress report on the action programme and establishes priorities for future action. This is currently the subject of consultations within the Commission, and it is hoped to present the document to the Parliament and the Council in the very near future. Concerning the reliability of airbags the Honourable Member is referred to the two type approval directives on car crashworthiness, Directive 96/27/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 1996 on the protection of occupants of motor vehicles in the event of a side impact and amending Directive 70/156/ EEC, and Directive 96/79/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1996 on the protection of occupants of motor vehicles in the event of a frontal impact and amending Directive 70/156/EEC, both of which became compulsory for all new cars from October 1999. In order to pass the test, in particular the frontal impact test into an áoffset deformable barrierí at 56 kilometer per hour, air bags for the driver and passenger are effective technologies. Nevertheless, the directives do not specifically necessitate air bags to be fitted and there are no specific standards on their performance. However, what is done is to measure the deceleration forces produced by the crash on anthropometric dummies and air bags are used to ensure that the impact energy is within survivable limits. In the future, industry will no doubt develop even better crashworthy structures and that will prompt even more air bag development, perhaps ásmartí air bags and restraint systems that actually start to activate prior to the aggressive impact and also systems that take account of the age, and physical stature of the occupant. (1) COM(97) 131 final. (2000/C 330 E/041) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2657/99 by António Campos (PSE) to the Commission (12 January 2000) Subject: Common agricultural policy Cereals account Guarantee Section Spending. for 12 % of the Unionís total agricultural production, and absorb 48 % of EAGGF Can the Commission answer the following: 1. What does each kg. of grain produced cost the Union in subsidies, including the export subsidies, set- aside aids, etc. , required by Union policy on cereal production? 2. What was the average world market price for one kg. of grain in 1999? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (10 February 2000) Based on the figures used to estimate appropriations for the EAGGF Guarantee Section in the 2000 budget, wheat (common wheat and durum wheat) accounts for EUR 6 595 million of spending against production of 95,5 million tonnes, i. e. a cost of EUR 69 per tonne. 21. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 330 E/39 This cost includes direct aid per hectare, export refunds and refunds for the production of wheat starch, as well as degressive special aid for Portuguese production. represents approximately 40 % of This income (based on the intervention price (EUR 119,19 per tonne) plus direct aid (EUR 54,34 per tonne)), which corresponds to the average for arable crops as a whole. farmersí gross The world market price of wheat in 1999 was between USD 105 and USD 90 per tonne for common wheat of a quality comparable with Community quality, and between USD 160 and USD 185 for durum wheat. (2000/C 330 E/042) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2664/99 by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission (12 January 2000) Subject: Information on the URBAN Programme The URBAN Programme and URBAN Pilot have constituted a successful attempt by the Union to tackle the deep-seated problems of exclusion which are prevalent in urban areas. 1. Can the Commission outline its future plans in relation to a new URBAN Programme/Urban Pilot? 2. What funds are now available for this Programme/Pilot? 3. What are the guidelines? Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (25 February 2000) 1. The URBAN Community initiative and the URBAN pilot project (UPP) scheme have been essential components of the Commissionís efforts to assist Member States in enhancing the quality of life in depressed urban agglomerations. Taking into account the views of the Parliament during the discussion on the reform of the structural funds, the Commission has decided to launch a new URBAN Community initiative, which will cover about 50 urban areas during the period 2000-2006. A draft of guidelines for the new URBAN initiative was adopted by the Commission on 13 October 1999 (1). They are at present being discussed with Parliament and Member States. The Commission will therefore adopt the final guidelines in March 2000 or April 2000. Member States will be invited then to present proposals within six months of the publication of the guidelines in the Official journal. The Commission does not envisage launching a new wave of UPPs for the programming period 2000-2006. However, most of them will continue until the end of 2000. 2. During the 1994-1999 programming period, URBAN funded programmes in 118 urban areas. The total Community contribution amounted to approximately € 900 million at 1999 prices. A further € 164 million between 1989 and 1999 supported 59 UPPs within the framework of the innovative actions under the European regional development fund (ERDF). The total contribution by the ERDF to the URBAN Community initiative during the period 2000-2006 is fixed at € 700 million at 1999 prices. 3. The guidelines assist Member States in the preparation of their programmes to be funded under URBAN. They set out the objectives and principles of the Community initiative, define the priorities for action and criteria for the selection of eligible urban areas, and lay down the procedures for preparation, approval and implementation of the programmes. They also contain an indicative list of eligible measures that aim at social, economic and environmental regeneration of urban areas. (1) COM(1999) 477 final