WRITTEN QUESTION E-2170/99 by John McCartin (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Impact of the introduction of the euro on the early retirement scheme.
C 219 E/110 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 1. 8. 2000 (2000/C 219 E/140) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2170/99 by John McCartin (PPE-DE) to the Commission (29 November 1999) Subject: Impact of the introduction of the euro on the early retirement scheme Following the introduction of the euro this year, farmers in Ireland suffered a 5,055 % reduction in payments under the early retirement scheme. The Department of Agriculture has stated that full compensation will be payable for this reduction once it has received final approval from the Commission. Can the Commission provide full details of the compensation that will be awarded and the categories of farmers in this scheme who will be eligible to receive it and state when the compensation scheme will be approved by the Commission and when compensation will be paid to farmers. Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (16 December 1999) The reduction in payments under the farm early retirement scheme in Ireland, resulting from the introduction of the Euro on 1 January 1999, will be compensated by the direct aid paid to Ireland in the framework of Commission Regulation (EC) No 755/1999 of 12 April 1999 fixing the maximum compensatory aid resulting from the rates for the conversion of the euro into national currency units and the exchange rates applicable on 1 and 3 January 1999 (1). The Irish proposals, in relation to the accompanying measures of the common agricultural policy (agri- environment and early retirement) affected by the transition to the euro in Ireland, were notified to the Commission on 2 November 1999. The proposals in question include compensation according to the maximum compensatory aid foreseen in the annex of the Commission Regulation. At this stage the Commission is examining the Irish notification. This examination, under Commission Regulation (EC) No 2808/98 of 22 December 1998 laying down detailed rules for the application of the agrimonetary system for the euro in agriculture (2), is carried out in conformity with the procedure laid down in Article 88(3) (ex Article 93) of the EC Treaty. (1) OJ L 98, 13. 4. 1999. (2) OJ L 349, 24. 12. 1998. (2000/C 219 E/141) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2179/99 by Per Stenmarck (PPE-DE) to the Commission (19 November 1999) Subject: Budget The risk with the 2000 budget is that the European Parliament will denounce the financial perspective adopted less than six months ago. This would be extremely serious and could mean increased costs for all EU tax-payers. The Council is proposing a flat-rate cut of 10 % in Heading 4. This is a poor way of setting jointly establish the priorities and may have adverse consequences. The budgetary authorities must necessary priorities in such a way as to remain within the financial perspective. Is the Commission prepared to produce the basis which the Council needs in order to establish the necessary priorities before the second reading of the budget?