WRITTEN QUESTION P-0773/00 by Astrid Thors (ELDR) to the Commission. Importing reindeer meat from Russia to countries in the EU.
3. 10. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 280 E/219 subjected to an on-the-spot check have to be selected by the relevant authorities on the basis of a risk analysis and an element of representativeness of the aid applications submitted. The Commission has asked the German authorities to further look into this question and to report back their finding to the Commission. The Commission will, subsequently, inform the Parliament of the results. 2. and 3. It will be necessary to wait and see what the answer of the German authorities will be. (1) OJ L 181, 1. 7. 1992. (2) OJ L 90, 7. 4. 1994. (3) OJ L 355, 5. 12. 1992. (4) OJ L 391, 31. 12. 1992. (2000/C 280 E/262) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0773/00 by Astrid Thors (ELDR) to the Commission (9 March 2000) Subject: Importing reindeer meat from Russia to countries in the EU According to information received by the Finnish Reindeer Herdersí Association, the EU Standing Veterinary Committee made a decision of principle on 12 January 2000 (amending Decision 97/217/ EC) (1) on the import of reindeer meat from the Kola Peninsula area of Russia. Until now, the import of meat from Russia has been prevented because the country is defined as a foot-and-mouth disease region and because of substandard abattoir and meat handling conditions. Representatives of the EU Standing Veterinary Committee made a tour of inspection to the Kola Peninsula concerning this matter. Does the Commission know whether the tour of inspection, that affected the preparation of the issue and decision made by the Standing Veterinary Committee, was made in impartial conditions; did the Commission check the monitoring of disease, meat handling and quality testing, and did the Commission clarify the possibilities of creating an outside monitoring system by which the origin of reindeer meat can be reliably proven in all cases? (1) OJ L 88, 3. 4. 1997, p. 20. Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (28 March 2000) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the reply it gave to Oral Question H-0179/00 by Mr Seppänen during question time at Parliamentís March 2000 part-session (1). (1) Debates of the European Parliament (March 2000). (2000/C 280 E/263) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0829/00 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission (10 March 2000) Subject: Field margin regulations leading to environmental damage More than 50 % of the field margins in my constituency (the South West of England) are over two metres. The Commission and the Court of Auditors have recently instructed MAFF to reduce the amount of subsidies given to farmers whose field margins are over two metres. If farmers in the south-west do not wish to lose an average of £969 per year, they will have to plough right up to, and possibly cut back, their