WRITTEN QUESTION P-1689/99 by Umberto Bossi (TDI) to the Commission. Milk production.
C 203 E/24 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 18. 7. 2000 (2000/C 203 E/030) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1687/99 by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (22 September 1999) Subject: The multiannual operational programme for agriculture and rural development in Galicia 1994- 1999 The multiannual operational programme for agriculture and rural development in Galicia 1994-1999 was adopted by the Commission via Decision C(94)3596 of 14 December 1994. This programme is divided into a number of subprogrammes, concerning respectively: (1) concentration of holdings; (2) nature conservation and measures to prevent fires; (3) agricultural production: modernisation, exploitation and improvement of food quality. Can the Commission provide information on the level of programmes, for each year of the period 1994-1999? funding allocated to each of the above Can the Commission provide information on the reasons which led the regional government of Galicia not to publish, in 1997, an official notice which would have permitted requests for aid under the subpro- gramme relating to modernisation, exploitation and improvement of food quality, pursuant to the Spanish Royal Decree No 204 of 1996? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (22 October 1999) As stated by the Honourable Member, the Agriculture and rural developmentí operational programme for the region of Galicia, which is part-financed by the Community, comprises three subprogrammes. Subprogramme I, Improving the conditions of agricultural production and rural lifeí, has funding for the programming period of € 122 930 000 from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) ü Guidance Section. This is divided into six instalments, the first for 1994 of € 20 530 000 and those for the next five years of € 20 480 000 per year. Subprogramme II, Protection and conservation of natural resourcesí has total funding of € 113 220 000 divided into six annual instalments, 1994: € 6 600 000, 1995: € 12 970 000, 1996: € 21 220 000, 1997: € 22 640 000, 1998: € 24 120 000 and 1999: € 25 670 000. Subprogramme III, Conversion (increase) and reorientation of food quality and diversification of agricul- tural activityí has appropriations totalling € 67 380 000; 1994: € 8 859 000, 1995: € 10 456 000, 1996: € 10 876 000, 1997: € 11 668 000, 1998: € 12 592 000 and 1999: € 12 929 000. It should also be noted that the Agriculture and rural developmentí operational programme for Galicia is based on an aid scheme system. This means that no call for tenders is required. The Commission would advise the Honourable Member to request the various institutions concerned, in particular the Xunta of Galicia and the Ministry of Agriculture, to provide more detailed information on this subject. (2000/C 203 E/031) WRITTEN QUESTION P-1689/99 by Umberto Bossi (TDI) to the Commission (20 September 1999) Subject: Milk production Last July Italy gave notification of the milk levies to purchasers and producers, in accordance with Regulation (EEC) No 3950/92 (1), for the 95/96 and 96/97 marketing years. The levies were calculated on the basis of the milk production data modified pursuant to Law 5/98, which are different from the data supplied to the EU and from the exemption from economic area quotas, defined in the compensation 18. 7. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 203 E/25 priorities which have already been annulled by the Italian Constitutional Court. Law 118/99, paragraph 17, requires milk producers to certify the new milk production data, which are different from those initially validated by producers and entered into the purchasersí and producersí accounts. The quantities modified are in excess of 500 000 tonnes. Can the Commission answer the following: 1. Given that all the purchasers have refused to modify the data initially validated, is the compensation that has been implemented late, on the basis of the new data provided by the Italian authorities, reliable and legally valid? Does it therefore place a binding requirement on producers to pay the levy? 2. The purchasers have not paid the levies or the instalments by the deadline specified in Law 118/99. Is it legitimate for milk purchasers to continue holding back the payment of sums, as already notified levies, relating to 1995 and subsequent years? 3. How can the fact that there are entire economic areas in which all producers, without distinction, are exempted from the application of the scheme, by virtue of a national law, be reconciled with the regulations in force? 4. Must the operators in these areas which request support measures from the Union demonstrate, as others do, that they have complied with the Unionís rules and implemented measures in line with Community strategies? 5. How do the Community supervisory bodies intend to deal with situations in which there is a clear discrepancy between the accounting and tax data and the data on the basis of which the levy has been charged? (1) OJ L 405, 31. 12. 1992, p. 1. Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (19 October 1999) The management of milk quotas in Italy and collection of the supplementary levy where those quotas have been exceeded has given rise to many difficulties and disputes, resulting in a number of enquiries by Community bodies and the establishment by Italy of a ácommissione di garanzia quote latteí (milk quota guarantee commission) to look at the reference quantities for each individual producer. The results of that work, which was finished in 1999, were sent to the Commission, which found that in general the situation with regard to the individual reference quantities had been clarified. The disputes still to be settled are now a matter for the Italian courts. The replies to the questions are as follows: 1. The Commission is awaiting factual details concerning finalisation of the recovery proceedings arising from this enquiry. 2. 3. It is up to the Italian authorities to collect the amounts incontestably due from the purchasers (dairies), which in turn have to recover them from the producers. EU rules apply throughout Italy. The Commission regards the selection, on objective criteria, of categories of priority producers to receive favourable treatment under the end-of-year compensation as quite legitimate and in accordance with those rules. Location in a less-favoured region is a valid objective criterion with the main aim of avoiding a further fall in production in regions which are already in difficulty. 4. Yes. 5. The Commission is monitoring the situation in Italy closely and has already intervened on a number of occasions, mainly through infringement proceedings and the clearance of accounts