WRITTEN QUESTION E-1446/99 by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Subsidised relocation of Akcros Chemicals B.V. from Roermond to Greiz.
18. 7. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 203 E/1 I (Information) EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER (2000/C 203 E/001) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1446/99 by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (1 September 1999) Subject: Subsidised relocation of Akcros Chemicals B. V. from Roermond to Greiz 1. Is the Commission aware that Akcros Chemicals B. V. (formerly Haagen Chemie, owned by AKZO Nobel Chemicals) which produces lead and metal stearates and non-vinyl semi-finished products for the plastics industry intends to close its establishment in Roermond (Limburg, Netherlands) with 1 200 workers instead of carrying out transferring production to the Limax site (also owned by Akcros) in Roermond-East, which is due to be developed? intention of its original 2. Is the Commission also aware that the reason given by AKZO Nobel for this closure in Roermond ü a town with a high level of unemployment by Dutch standards ü is an investment subsidy of 35 % which it is being given to transfer non-vinyl production to Greiz (Thuringia, Germany) while the production of lead stearates is to be transferred to Düren (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)? 3. Can the Commission say whether this transfer is being wholly or partially funded by European Union money? If so, why? How does the expected growth in the number of jobs in Greiz match up to the expected job losses in Roermond? What are the costs of each new job? 4. Does the Commission think it right that promoting employment in an area with a shortage of jobs should be carried out by using public subsidies to take jobs away from another area where there is also a shortage? If not, what is the Commission intending to do to stop firmsí unnecessary juggling with jobs and the loss of employment? Supplementary answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (18 November 1999) The Commission does not receive information on the commercial activities of private companies such as AKZO Nobel Chemicals except where matters of Community law are involved. With regard to the reorganisation of AKZOís production facilities, the Commission has been informed by the authorities of the Land of Nordrhein-Westfalen, that no Community or national assistance has been granted to the plant in Düren. The Land of Thüringen has indicated that a subsidy of DM 2 120 000 from the European regional development fund (ERDF), representing 50 % of the total public aid, has been granted to the AKROS Chemicals plant investment premium scheme operating in Germany, the so-called Gemeinschaftsaufgabe Regional Wirtschaftsförderungí. The scheme has been approved by the Commission under the rules governing competition policy in accordance with Article 87. 3. a of the EC Treaty (ex-Article 92). in Greiz. The grant was awarded under the national C 203 E/2 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 18. 7. 2000 Thüringen is eligible both as an Objective 1 region under the structural funds and as an area eligible for state aids under Community competition policy. Thüringen receives support from the structural funds in order to promote catching up with the rest of Europe in socioeconomic terms, and some of this support is used to attract capital investment to the region. The award of a subsidy to AKROS Chemicals is intended to enable around 150 jobs to be safeguarded at the Greiz plant. Total public support per job amounts to around DM 28 000. For the next round of structural funds programmes beginning next year, under Article 30 of Regulation (CE) no 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999, laying down the general provisions of the structural funds (1), new conditions will apply to the granting of Community aid in such circumstances. In effect, the regulation requires that the Member States seek reimbursement of Community aid granted to an operation if there is a substantial modification resulting notably from a cessation or change in the location of a productive activity within five years of the date of the decision granting such support. In the guidelines for the new programmes published by the Commission in June 1999, it is also stated that the structural funds should not be used for the mere relocation of existing activities. (1) OJ L 161, 26. 6. 1999. (2000/C 203 E/002) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1481/99 by Lucio Manisco (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (1 September 1999) Subject: Pollution resulting from the war in Kosovo During the war in Kosovo, NATO bombing attacks were deliberately targeted on refineries and chemical plants, in other words industries which pose a serious risk to the environment. The levels of pollution caused are extremely high on account of the strong concentrations of nitrogen and sulphur oxide and other toxic chemicals which have polluted the air, the ground water and all the rivers in the region, including the Danube which is now full of toxins which are discharged into the Black Sea. The use of impoverished uranium weapons (containing 97,8 % Uranium 238) has created clouds of radioactive dust which give off radiation and may lead to the development of tumours. Has the Commission prepared a specific emergency aid plan to combat the environmental pollution 1. which has affected all of the regionís inhabitants indiscriminately? 2. What sum of money has it set aside for the implementation of such a plan? 3. What urgent action has it taken to monitor air flows which are capable of transporting the radioactive dust? 4. What urgent action does it intend to take to clean up sources of drinking water? Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (22 October 1999) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the replies it gave to Oral Questions H-429/99 by Mr Alavanos and H-431/99 by Mr Papayannakis during question time at Parliamentís September 1999 part-session (1). The Commission would add that it has taken a leading role in the broader international effort through actions carried out by its humanitarian office and the task force for reconstruction of Kosovo (TAFKO). The problem of polluted drinking water is recognised and being addressed in particular through the