WRITTEN QUESTION E-2737/99 by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Unfair competition in the grape-based eau-de-vie sector.
C 303 E/102 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 24. 10. 2000 completely disabled and who apply for the benefit before the age of 65 but that the benefit is not payable to those who, despite meeting all the other conditions for eligibility, apply for the benefit after the age of 65? Is it aware of the fact that Italian old people, despite meeting all the disability conditions required by law, are discriminated against on the basis of their age when they apply for the benefit, a fact which has a life-long impact on whether or not they receive the benefit? Does the Council intend to ask Italy to repeal this law, as a matter of urgency? Reply (10/11 April 2000) Article 13 of the EC Treaty empowers the Council to take appropriate action to combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. The Commission has recently submitted to the Council a proposal for a Directive establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation. That proposal contains some provisions concerning age-based discrimination. The question as to whether benefits of the kind referred to by the Honourable Member are covered by the proposal for a Directive has not yet been resolved; the proposal is currently under discussion in the Councilís subordinate bodies and has therefore not yet been adopted. Being a framework directive, it would in any case leave Member States some latitude over its implementa- tion. In any event, as the Honourable Member will be aware, it is not for the Council to have any national law repealed. It is the Commissionís role to watch over Member Statesí compliance with Community law. (2000/C 303 E/097) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2737/99 by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Unfair competition in the grape-based eau-de-vie sector When diluted to less than 86 % volume raw alcohol produced from grapes can become, on the basis of a broad interpretation of certain Community norms, eau-de-vie made from grapes which, once brought into Italy, could be sold, albeit unlawfully, as grappa. Eau-de-vie made from grapes produced in this way is considerably cheaper than grappa since raw alcohol is eligible for a Community contribution of 140 000 lire per hectolitre compared with 78 000 lire for grappa. This difference of 62 000 lire constitutes an incentive to counterfeit this most Italian of eau-de-vie. Not only does this lead to serious financial losses for producers but it also results in consumers being deceived. Can the Commission say whether it intends to take steps to equalise the Community contribution for grappa with that for raw alcohol, thereby removing the unfair competition in the grappa sector and protecting consumers? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (14 February 2000) The Commission has been informed of the use of raw alcohol in grappa production, contrary to the rules in force. 24. 10. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 303 E/103 At a recent management committee meeting the Member States in question were asked to give attention when granting aid to the destination of the distillation product. It is of course up to these Member Statesí supervising bodies to ensure compliance with Community rules. The Commission is at present reviewing the distillation aids for grape marc spirits and raw alcohol in the context of the reform of the common market organisation for the wine sector due to enter into force from the next wine year (1 August 2000). (2000/C 303 E/098) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2744/99 by Emilia Müller (PPE-DE) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: PHARE and Interreg II funds for the Czech Republic How have the funds from the PHARE and Interreg II Programmes been used for the benefit of the environment in the Czech Republic? What projects were supported, and what amount of aid was allocated thereto? Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission (25 February 2000) PHARE support in the area of the environment in the Czech Republic has been delivered through national programmes. In 1990-1991 there were projects to improve understanding of the environment and focus on immediate quality needs in the air, water, waste, energy and health sectors (€ 21 million). In 1996 an environment project loan facility supported small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) environmental protection projects (€ 5 million). In 1997 there was support to strengthen environmental management capacity in regulatory bodies (€ 2 million). In 1998 there was support to strengthen the institutional and regulatory capacity in the environment sector as well as implementation and investment strategies for Community air and waste directives (€ 1,15 million). In 1999 there was support for harmonisation of Czech environment legislation in the field of water protection (€ 1 million). Support was also delivered through cross-border cooperation (CBC) programmes. CBC with Austria between 1995 and 1998 financed 15 projects with emphasis on improvement of water quality (€ 11 mil- lion). The 1999 programme includes a waste water treatment plant improvement project in the border region (€ 3,55 million). Environmental improvement projects are also eligible for finance from the joint small projects fund (up to € 300 000) under this programme. CBC with Germany between 1994 and 1997 supported improvement of the municipal infrastructure, in particular the introduction of natural gas, with € 14 million being allocated for 13 projects. The 1998 programme supports a reforestation fund (€ 2,5 million), whilst in 1999 support is given for introduction of gas in the Nisa border region (€ 3,1 million), an air pollution reduction fund (€ 0,45 million), projects for improvements to sewerage systems and waste water plants (€ 5,94 million) as well as a joint small projects fund. CBC programmes were also established in 1999 with Poland and Slovakia. Both contain joint small projects funds, for which environmental projects are eligible. The Slovakia programme also contains an allocation of € 1,75 million for a border area waste water treatment plant. An allocation was made from the large-scale infrastructure facility 1999 of € 14,2 million for the Brno municipal water project. A further allocation of € 2,2 million was made for the preparation of a portfolio of projects to be financed from the instrument for structural policies for pre-accession (ISPA) from 2000 onwards