WRITTEN QUESTION E-1005/00 by Carlos Ripoll y Martínez de Bedoya (PPE-DE) to the Commission. European Union programmes.
C 53 E/52 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 20. 2. 2001 Joint answer to Written Questions E-1001/00, E-1002/00 and E-1003/00 given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission (16 May 2000) The Commission regrets to inform the Honourable Member that it does not see any possibility to grant compensation to those companies within the Community which have been affected by the increase in American tariffs. The Commission is aware of the serious consequences these measures can have on those affected and is determined to resolve the issue with the greatest possible dispatch. The Commission presented on 10 November 1999 to the Council and the Parliament a proposal to amend its banana import regulations (1) so as to be in full conformity with World Trade Organisation rules. In parallel the Commission has explored whether a solution could be found to the dispute with the parties involved. In particular, at the end of March 2000, Commission representatives met with their American counterparts in Washington. This meeting, however, was inconclusive and showed how difficult it is to agree a mutually acceptable system. The Commission would like to confirm that no efforts are spared to end this dispute in the shortest possible timeframe. The Commission hopes that the Parliament will support these endeavours by voting rapidly its opinion on the Commission proposal of 10 November 1999. (1) COM(1999) 582 final. (2001/C 53 E/061) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1005/00 by Carlos Ripoll y Martínez de Bedoya (PPE-DE) to the Commission Subject: European Union programmes (31 March 2000) On 26 November 1999 the Commission approved 19 national promotional and publicity action programmes to promote the consumption of milk and milk products. Spain was granted funding of ESP 1 200 million for the year 2000. Have any proposals been submitted for a programme for the Balearic Islands? If so, what is the cost involved? Can the Commission provide detailed individual descriptions of any programmes planned for the Balearic Islands? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (29 May 2000) On 26 November 1999 the Commission approved 19 action plans to promote consumption in the Community and the enlargement of the markets for milk and milk products. The total cost of these promotional measures is € 8 million and they are financed in full by the Community. The programmes selected are targeted mainly at young people up to 25 years and the principal themes to be developed are ánutritioní and áthe modern lookí of the products. Two programmes were approved by the Commission for measures in Spain, to be carried out by the agencies or groupings Contrapunto SA € 603 000 and INLAC (CCAE) € 605 000. These measures (publicity and public relations) are national and therefore cover the whole territory including the Balearic Islands. There are no specific measures for the Islands