WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3506/98 by Amedeo AMADEO to the Commission. Common organisation of the market in bananas (Agenda 2000)
C 297/78 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 15. 10. 1999 (1999/C 297/103) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3506/98 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (25 November 1998) Subject: Common organisation of the market in bananas (Agenda 2000) With reference to the proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) 404/93 on the common organisation of the market in bananas (COM(98) 4 final & 98/0013 CNS) (1), there is a need to ensure that certain aspects of the common organisation of the market in bananas are adapted to meet international commitments (especially those of the WTO) and it should also be pointed out that amending the procedures for the issue of import licences might have negative repercussions on the income and employment situation of Community and ACP producers. Can the Commission therefore take action to guarantee fair prices to both producers and consumers, given that the new arrangements for issuing import licences to be established will then have to guarantee fair competition between all commercial operators so as not to disturb the equilibrium of supply in the Union between all the regions of origin without exception? (1) OJ C 75, 11. 3. 1998, p. 6. Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (25 January 1999) When amending (1) Council Regulation (EEC) 404/93 of 13 February 1993 on the common organization of the market in bananas (2) to meet the requirements of the World trade organization (WTO) ruling the Commission was cognisant of its other international commitments under the 4th Lome Convention in respect of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and its duties towards European producers. The allocation of licences under the new regime is based on proof of actual imports. There is also a provision within the new regime for an increase in the compensatory aid for Community producers. Effects on ACP producers by the new regime have been taken into consideration through a proposal for a Council regulation (3) to establish a special framework of assistance for traditional ACP suppliers. (1) COM(98) 4 final. (2) OJ L 47, 25. 2. 1993. (3) COM(98) 5 final. (1999/C 297/104) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3538/98 by Pedro Marset Campos (GUE/NG) to the Commission (25 November 1998) Subject: Siting of a solid urban waste treatment plant in Albudeite (Murcia, Spain) The general meeting of the Murcian Regional Solid Urban Waste Consortium has decided that the future solid urban waste treatment plant should be built on a site 5 km from Albudeite town centre. Public disquiet has been mounting because, apart from the fact that the decision on the plant site was taken without conducting the mandatory environmental impact assessment, the most essential information was withheld from Albudeite Municipal Council until the exact moment when it bowed to the wishes of the consortium. The reason why a meeting was held without prior notice just seven days before the deadline was due to expire, without allowing sufficient time for the municipal councils concerned to consider the suitability of the chosen site, was that the developers were anxious to obtain POMAL subsidies