WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1133/98 by Umberto BOSSI to the Commission. Financial instrument for the environment
C 402/78 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 22. 12. 98 As regards 1995, 1996 and 1997, imports have always been within the agreed limits. Shipments of the products concerned are subject to a double checking system and, in particular, following its establishment, on 28 October 1996, also to an electronic link-up between the Chinese offices which issue export licences covering these products and the Community system for the electronic issue of licences (SIGL). The Community authorities issue import licences for the products in question only if requests by importers fall within the available quota for the year in question. (1) OJ L 67, 10. 3. 1994. (98/C 402/096) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1133/98 by Umberto Bossi (NI) to the Commission (24 April 1998) Subject: Financial instrument for the environment Council Regulation (EC) 1404/96 (1) of 15 July 1996 (amending Regulation (EEC) 1973/92) inserts in Articles 10, 11 and 12 of the latter a series of provisions concerning measures to verify that actions financed by the Community have been carried out properly, and in accordance with the provisions of the regulation. Can the Commission state how frequently on-the-spot checks are carried out, as stipulated in Article 10(2) of the regulation, to ensure that the actions carried out by those receiving Community assistance are completed successfully? Can the Commission state whether checks have been carried out concerning the implementation of action B-3200-94-778 (reconstruction of canals, mounds and sandbanks in the Pialassa Baiona)? Is the Commission aware that, in addition to failing to complete the action by the prescribed deadline (which had already been extended), the recipients of the financial assistance in question carried out this work in a careless and slipshod manner? Does the Commission intend to take measures to avoid the recurrence of cases of improper use of Community funds? (1) OJ L 181, 20. 7. 1996, p. 1. Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (10 June 1998) Control missions are undertaken by the Commission on a regular basis. In the specific case of project B-3200/94/778 Conservation programme of the geographic area of the Delta Po Park, second phaseí of which the sub-project executed by the Provincia di Ravenna in the area of Piolassa Baiona is part, 4 missions have been undertaken to verify the implementation and results of the project. Those verifications as well as the documents submitted by the beneficiary do not raise evidence of any errors, if compared to the contract conditions. The only exception refers to the execution deadline. This has been indeed extended from 31 December 1996 to 20 February 1998. This extension was granted after an examination of the justifications submitted by the beneficiary