WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1236/98 by Allan MACARTNEY to the Commission. Inspections under the Suckler Cow Premium Scheme and the Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance
C 354/82 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19. 11. 98 Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (5 May 1998) The Commission does not generally have national figures broken down by region. However, since 1997 Spain has been declaring expenditure by autonomous region for those regions which have approved paying agencies. The Commission can therefore provide the information required for Catalonia: ESP 41 000 million (roughly ECU 250. 3 million) in 1997. (98/C 354/131) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1235/98 by Allan Macartney (ARE) to the Commission (29 April 1998) Subject: Subsidies for goat farming Can the Commission confirm that agricultural subsidies for goats are only on a par with sheep subsidies in those Member States which have a tradition of eating goat meat under the European Union Sheep and Goat Meat Regime? Has the Commission investigated the possible disparities that may result from this policy and the effect it has on goat breeding in countries which are not classified as having a tradition of eating goat meat? Does the Commission foresee a change in the future which would ensure an equal distribution of subsidies for goats in all Member States? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (15 May 1998) The Commission can confirm that the payment of the premium for goats is restricted to those regions in the Community where the rearing of goats for meat is a traditional practice comparable to sheep farming. The Commission does not consider that the present regime creates disparities. The purpose of the annual premium payable in the framework of the sheep and goatmeat regime is to support meat producers. To be eligible for such payments the rearing of goats must therefore be mainly directed towards meat production and the techniques for rearing goats and sheep must be similar in nature. In Member States where there is no tradition of eating goat meat this is not the case, as goats are principally reared for the production of wool or dairy products. The Commission does not foresee extending the premium regime to include goat producers whose main activity is not the production of meat. (98/C 354/132) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1236/98 by Allan Macartney (ARE) to the Commission (29 April 1998) Subject: Inspections under the Suckler Cow Premium Scheme and the Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance With regard to the requirements for the status of premium producers under the Suckler Cow premium Scheme and the Hill Livestock Compensatory Scheme, is the Commission aware whether there is any discretion on the rule ávisits for inspection purposes will occur without noticeí (SCP 1997/HCLA 1998)? Can an inspection be refused where there are mitigating circumstances, such as insufficient staff to handle the animals?