WRITTEN QUESTION E-0815/00 by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission. Recite II administration.
C 26 E/112 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 26. 1. 2001 The structure of the CAP and the current reform process reflect the interests of all Member States and those involved in agricultural policy. It should be noted that the Agenda 2000 reform was agreed unanimously by the Berlin European Council. Indeed, these reforms give Member States flexibility to tailor the implementation of the CAP to national situations to provide greater focus on rural development and environmental concerns. The Commission does therefore not share the view attributed to the British minister. (2001/C 26 E/139) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0815/00 by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission (21 March 2000) Subject: Recite II administration Can the Commission explain the reasons behind the current unacceptable delays in the processing of applications and in the payment of grants to beneficiaries under its Recite II programme? Does it consider it acceptable that requests for payments submitted by projects in mid-November 1999 have still not been processed? Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (28 April 2000) The Commission received four applications in November l999 for payments in respect of projects under the programme of interregional cooperation (Recite II). Two of these applications were complete and the payments were made within 45 days. In the case of the other two, the beneficiaries sent in incomplete applications which were not in line with their contractual obligations. The Commission contacted both beneficiaries within five days to apprise them of the fact. After sending several reminders, the Commission finally received the extra information it needed in February 2000 and the payment procedure was launched at that time. (2001/C 26 E/140) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0822/00 by Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN), Sergio Berlato (UEN) and Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN) to the Commission (21 March 2000) Subject: Blood oranges ü a peripheral market Sicily is in a peripheral geographical position as far as the marketing of its produce is concerned. The cultivation of citrus fruit is a tradition in Southern Italy, in particular Sicily, and the whole community in small towns there revolves around this type of farming. Blood oranges grow in Sicily, in particular in the áplain of Cataniaí area, and they have special organoleptic qualities which are recognised even by medical science. Can the Commission say whether it intends to devote resources and projects to developing this special product, which is unique in the world. Whether it intends to facilitate promotion and marketing by bringing the Sicilian market closer to the European market?