WRITTEN QUESTION E-1218/00 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Consequences of the drought in Portugal.
C 53 E/104 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 20. 2. 2001 The application of Directive 79/409/EEC and Directive 92/43/EEC is primarily the responsibility of the Member State concerned. The Commissionís only responsibility is to check whether the Member State has respected the requirements of those Directives. The requirements of Article 6(4) of Directive 92/43/EEC, such as the assessment of alternative routes instead of the temporary or permanent re-opening of the existing railway line through the Meinweg, only apply if the results of the assessment under Article 6(3) of the Directive show that the project will have significant effects on the Meinweg. At the moment the Commission has no indication that action has to be taken as suggested in the question in advance of receiving the reply from the Netherlands. It has not yet received any indication that an infringement of Directive 79/409/EEC or Directive 92/43/EEC has already taken place. (1) OJ C 170 E, 20. 6. 2000. (2) OJ L 103, 25. 4. 1979. (3) OJ L 206, 22. 7. 1992. (2001/C 53 E/134) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1218/00 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission Subject: Consequences of the drought in Portugal (14 April 2000) It is common knowledge that the drought in Portugal is damaging agriculture in various ways, especially where winter and late spring and early summer crops are concerned. Have steps been taken to aid the Portuguese producers who have sustained losses? If so, what support has been granted? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (22 May 2000) The Commission has been fully aware of the continuing drought in Portugal in recent months. It is still too soon to assess the damage to this yearís crops. The Commission will examine any specific problems that may arise in the context of the common market organisations. If Portugal wishes the Community would be able, as part of her operational programme on agriculture and rural development for the period 2000-2006 and within the financing limits already set, to part-finance restoration of production capacity lost as a result of natural disasters. (2001/C 53 E/135) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1222/00 by Karin Riis-Jłrgensen (ELDR) to the Commission (14 April 2000) Subject: Recovery of customs duties Under the generalised system of preferences textile products are imported on favourable terms from Bangladesh to the European market with certificates of origin. The Commission has initiated action for the recovery of customs duties on products imported during 1994-1996. This is giving rise to considerable financial difficulties for European importers and great dissatisfaction has also been caused by the fact that importers who were acting in good faith have been kept in ignorance of the authoritiesí suspicion of widespread irregularities. The following questions need to be clarified here: