WRITTEN QUESTION E-1620/99 by Olivier Dupuis (TDI) to the Commission. Control of Internet use in Tunisia.
18. 7. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 203 E/11 the Agenda 2000 package, provides for the grant of premiums for bison. Indeed, in the case of live animals, the definition of bovine animals in Article 1(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 805/68 (and the corresponding Article of Regulation (EC) No 1254/1999) covers only álive animals of the domestic bovine speciesí described in the Combined Nomenclature (CN) (3). In practice this means that aid for domestic bovine animals cannot be paid in respect of other bovine animals (including bison). Two kinds of problem would arise if bison were to be included in the support scheme for domestic bovine animals. Firstly, a greater number of animal species would enjoy Community support. Member States have on a number of occasions been unwilling to accept such an increase. The matter was raised again during the Agenda 2000 discussions, when it was decided not to change the legal status of bison and their eligibility for beef premiums. The second problem arises in the context of the Communityís international relations. A fresh round of international trade negotiations (WTO talks ü World Trade Organisation) starts in November 1999, when the Communityís partners are likely to challenge the direct aid it grants under the common agricultural policy. In these circumstances, therefore, it would not be appropriate to extend the scope of this aid to include more species. (1) OJ L 148, 28. 6. 1968. (2) OJ L 160, 26. 6. 1999. (3) See explanatory notes in OJ C 287, 15. 9. 1998. (2000/C 203 E/013) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1620/99 by Olivier Dupuis (TDI) to the Commission (15 September 1999) Subject: Control of Internet use in Tunisia Tunisia ranks amongst the countries in which Internet access is subject to the strictest control and censorship, the aim being to avoid the propagation of ásubversive ideasí and to protect ástate securityí. Such control takes the form of a state monopoly on access, checks on providers, the compulsory registration of users, and the screening and monitoring of electronic mail. As a result, Tunisian citizens seeking to exercise freedom of information and expression find themselves faced with extremely severe legal action. Does the Commission not consider that such practices by the authorities in Tunis run counter to the spirit and the letter of the Association Agreement between Tunisia and the European Union? What measures have been or will be taken by the Commission to induce Tunisia to abolish the state monopoly on Internet access and to eliminate firewall screening, checks on providers, the compulsory registration of users and the monitoring of electronic mail? Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission (18 October 1999) The Commission is aware of the extent to which the Tunisian authorities control use of the Internet. All applications to subscribe to the Internet pass through the Tunisian Internet agency (ATI) which also acts as a server for the Government and some diplomatic missions. There are two private companies (Planet Tunisie and Global Tunisie) authorised as servers for private subscribers. Other institutional servers exist in several areas of the public sector (education, research institutes, etc. ). The number of Internet C 203 E/12 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 18. 7. 2000 connections in Tunisia remains low (less than the world average) in spite of the authoritiesí efforts to promote its use in education and business. Nevertheless, Tunisia has recognised the importance of the Internet to its business sector and for the competitiveness of its economy. User charges have recently fallen considerably. The Association Agreement between the Community and Tunisia does not contain any specific provision on free access to the media; however, Article 2 states in general that human rights, which include the right to inform and be informed, are an essential part of the Agreement. The Commission follows the Tunisian human rights issue closely, including the citizenís right of access to the media and the Internet, notably through the regular reports on the human rights situation drawn up by the Member State and Commission heads of mission in Tunisia and through the ongoing political dialogue with the Tunisian authorities. Tunisia is also invited to participate in regional programmes in the MEDA framework in order to promote a new regional approach to telecommunications and the information society. (2000/C 203 E/014) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1638/99 by Efstratios Korakas (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (22 September 1999) Subject: The disastrous impact of the CAP and the need to review it The reviews of the CAP carried out under the Treaty of Maastricht, and under Agenda 2000 to be implemented by the year 2006, are drastically reducing growth rates in agriculture in order to adapt it to market conditions, as shaped by the WTO (World Trade Organisation) and the EMU. This reduction in growth rates in agriculture has reduced agricultural employment, wiped out small and medium-scale farming, especially in countries like Greece, where the agricultural population was large. It has also produced economic stagnation and rural depopulation, as well as deterioration of the environ- ment. Will the Commission be persisting with the same policies which will accelerate this disastrous course of events for rural areas, or does it intend to propose, as called for by farmers and in particular those with small or medium-sized holdings, to halt them, and take appropriate action to change their direction? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (20 October 1999) One of the objectives of reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP) under Agenda 2000 is indeed to ensure a better adaptation to market requirements. In addition, the reform aims to achieve several other objectives, such as maintaining a fair standard of living for the farming community, integrating environ- mental goals and establishing rural development policy as a second pillar of the CAP. It is true that the number of people employed in agriculture, forestry and fishery declined in Greece by 21 % during the period 1987-1997. However, for the 12 Member States the number decreased by 31 % during this period. It is also true that the most important reduction in farm numbers in Greece was observed for small farms operating an agricultural area of less than 10 hectares. On the other hand, the remaining small and medium-scale farms were able to improve their economic base by increasing their production capacities. Possible problems of depopulation and environmental issues are specifically addressed by rural development measures, in particular in objective 1 regions. Despite any diversity at the local level, population statistics indicate an increase of population during the last 10 years for the majority of Greek rural areas (nomenclature of territorial statistical units (NUTS) 3 level)