WRITTEN QUESTION P-0055/00 by Marie-Noëlle Lienemann (PSE) to the Commission. BSE screening programme.
8. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 225 E/217 Article 13 of the sixth VAT Directive stipulates that Member States shall exempt from VAT certain activities which are in the public interest, like welfare and social security work by charities, or services and goods provided by non-profit-making organisations with the aims of a religious, philanthropic, civic nature etc. However, these organisations have to pay full VAT on their inputs, which they cannot deduct. Consequently, these organisations are sometimes put in an even more disadvantageous situation than if they were taxable. Does the Commission agree that this effect runs counter to the spirit of Article 13 of the sixth VAT Directive? Does the Commission agree that it should take immediate action with the aim of ending this situation without waiting for the definitive system to be installed? Will the Commission, in its proposal for a definitive VAT system, make provision to exempt from VAT those inputs that are directly linked to the work of charities? Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission (10 February 2000) The Commission acknowledges that the timetable set in the programme for a new common system of VAT, as set out in its communication of 1996, has not been kept to, as the Honourable Member points out, and that there is currently an impasse with regard to this issue. The 1996 programme proposed phasing in a definitive system, the first phase to be modernisation and more uniform application of the current VAT system, via amendments leading to the new common system of VAT. To this end, the Commission presented a number of proposals to the Council, but the latter could not agree on adopting In these circumstances, the strategy to be adopted for VAT must be reviewed with the full them. collaboration of the Member States. However, effective action on this issue is still needed in order to improve the functioning of the internal market. Such action might initially involve improving the current system of VAT, without this necessarily being seen as leading to a new common system of VAT. Revision of Article 13 may prove necessary in modernising and simplifying the current system of VAT. However, it is too soon to say what specific amendments are needed. Revision of Annex H, on the other hand, is not an immediate priority. Indeed it seems preferable at this stage to await the implementation by the Member States of Council Directive 1999/85/CE of 22 October 1999 amending Directive 77/388/EEC as regards the possibility of applying on an experiment basis a reduced VAT rate on labour-intensive services (1). We will then be in a position to draw lessons from this experiment, which will be the subject of a detailed report by the Member States concerned and the Commission by the end of 2002. A more in-depth revision of Annex H might then be proposed on the basis of this report. (1) OJ L 277, 28. 10. 1999. (2000/C 225 E/249) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0055/00 by Marie-Noºlle Lienemann (PSE) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: BSE screening programme How and when does the Commission intend to introduce a systematic screening programme for BSE, as has been in place in Switzerland since March 1999? The BSE screening programme in Switzerland shows that the aberrant prion is much more widespread among cattle than was thought and that infected animals can enter the food chain. C 225 E/218 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 8. 8. 2000 In view of the legal obligation to apply the precautionary principle, is not both urgent and necessary for the Commission to investigate this dreadful problem fully before any more food safety disasters occur in Europe? Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (9 February 2000) As stated in my hearing before Parliament last September I consider that a systematic testing for BSE should be implemented. The Commission has initiated discussions with the Member States on the introduction of post-mortem tests for BSE with the intention to present a proposal to the standing veterinary committee before April 2000. (2000/C 225 E/250) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0099/00 by Francesco Musotto (PPE-DE) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: The situation in Croatia following the elections on 3 January 2000 In view of Croatiaís strategic importance because of its potential role as mediator in stabilising the region, and its pro-European attitude, can the Commission answer the following questions, in order to clarify the position it intends to adopt vis-à-vis the new government in Croatia? Does the European Union intend to set up the consultative Task Force so as to speed up the preparations for closer relations between the Union and Croatia? What approaches will the European Union make to the new Croatian Government, which has already shown itself to be receptive? Will Croatia be granted full access to the Phare programme? Will the European Union act swiftly to back the new political majority at this delicate transitional stage? Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (8 February 2000) The Commission fully shares the Honourable Memberís views on the geopolitical importance of Croatia and its key role in stabilising the region as a whole. The Commission considers that the outcome of the election and the way in which consultations were held marks a new departure in the democratisation of Croatia. The new leadershipís statements and initial commitments are very encouraging. The Commission is sure that if the new government follows them up with action this new direction will quickly lead to the end of Croatiaís international isolation and hopes that the strong message of democratisation given by the Croats may serve as an example to other countries and peoples in the region. The EU has already begun to give the first political signals of encouragement with a view to improving relations with Croatia and will show its willingness to cooperate with a fully democratic Croatia. The President of the Commission visited Croatia on 14 January 2000 and the Member of the Commission (General Affairs), meeting on responsible for external relations plans to visit shortly. The Council 24 January 2000, invited the new Croat Prime Minister to the next Council meeting on General Affairs on 14 February 2000 and decided to set up a joint Community-Croatia consultative task force, a technical body which will appreciably improve communication with Croatia and will be an initial instrument of assistance with a view to establishing closer relations between Croatia and the Community. The Council is currently discussing the mandate of this task force and will soon decide on the date of its first meeting