WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1545/98 by Cristiana MUSCARDINI to the Commission. Promotion of plants and flowers
5. 2. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 31/55 (1999/C 31/071) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1545/98 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission (19 May 1998) Subject: Promotion of plants and flowers With reference to Regulation (EC) 832/97 (1) on the promotion of floricultural products, it would seem that during the implementation of the first stage of the measure, the programmes submitted and carried out have suffered from the fact that only one body in the European Union possessed sufficient resources to cover the difference between the total costs of the promotional campaigns and the Community contribution. 1. Is this true? If so 2. Should the Commission not consider seriously whether this instrument is efficient, fair and impartial? 3. Does it not believe that the EUís acceptance of the Dutch law imposing a parafiscal levy on flowers (Community and other) in transit through its territory will in all probability exacerbate the imbalance in future years between the capacity of the Dutch Flower Bureau to provide financial support in this sector and that enjoyed by the flower sector in other Member States? Does it not consider that the omission of floriculture from Agenda 2000 is unjustified and will have adverse 4. effects in future years? (1) OJ L 119, 8. 5. 1997, p. 17. Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (5 June 1998) In response to the Honourable Memberís first point, the Commissionís practical experience has been that many professional and interprofessional organisations have had the resources to co-finance the promotional measures selected. Co-financing of this type parallels existing practice in other sectors. As regards the Dutch levy, it should be pointed out that the use of funds raised from obligatory charges on operators in the sector can facilitate the implementation of programmes. For this reason their use was permitted by Commission Regulation (EEC) 803/98 of 16 April 1998 laying down detailed rules for 1998 for the application of Council Regulation (EC) 2275/96 introducing specific measures for live plants and floricultural products (1). Under Council Regulation (EC) 2275/96 of 22 November 1996 (2) Community aid is granted for promotional programmes lasting up to three years. The Commission must wait to assess the results obtained from the scheme before deciding what further action is required for the sector. (1) OJ L 115, 17. 4. 1998. (2) OJ L 308, 29. 11. 1996. (1999/C 31/072) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1548/98 by Doeke Eisma (ELDR) to the Commission (19 May 1998) Subject: Nuclear waste transported to Scotland from Georgia Is the Commission aware that there is a secret agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom 1. on the processing and storage of nuclear waste from Georgia at Dounreay in Scotland?