WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2491/98 by Allan MACARTNEY to the Commission. Exploitation of fishing quotas
8. 4. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 96/105 (1999/C 96/146) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2491/98 by Allan Macartney (ARE) to the Commission (30 July 1998) Subject: Exploitation of fishing quotas Can the Commission give a precise indication as to the level of quota, excluding quota swaps, which is exploited by nationals of a Member State other than the one which was originally allocated the quota? If so, can the Commission clarify which countries this involves and to what extent this practice is carried out? Specifically, can the Commission provide up-to-date statistics on the exploitation of quotas by Dutch nationals, which had previously been allocated to countries other than the Netherlands? Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (10 September 1998) The Commission regrets to inform the Honourable Member that it is unable to provide him with the information required since this is not available. For the purpose of management of the total allowable catches (TAC) and quota system, only data relating to each stockís cumulative catch from vessels flying the flag of each Member State are required. Only those data are consequently reported to the Commission. (1999/C 96/147) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2498/98 by Gerardo FernÆndez-Albor (PPE) to the Commission Subject: Community aid for tourism undertakings investing abroad (30 July 1998) One of the objectives which will have a major impact on the Community tourism sector is its internationalisation, both in terms of attracting tourists to the European Union and selling services or operating facilities abroad. A dual objective can be achieved in this way, by exporting the technological capacity of Community tourism undertakings and contributing to development in a large number of developing countries, in addition to the support provided to Community tourists visiting the countries concerned. Can the Commission list the Community programmes which supply aid for Community tourism undertakings investing abroad, and can it provide information on the experience gained in this respect and any changes which it considers necessary in order to strengthen the presence of Community tourism undertakings outside the EUís borders, particularly in developing countries? Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (15 October 1998) The Commission shares the honourable Memberís point of view regarding the growing internationalisation of tourism in the Member States and its major contribution to international trade, especially with non-member countries. Indeed, for the Member States tourism accounts for a third of all imports and exports of services, while direct investment by Community undertakings in non-member countries in 1995 amounted to ECU 4 700 million in the hotel and catering branch alone (1). Although the Community does not have any specific programme to foster tourism investment by European undertakings in non-member countries, there are several Community programmes and schemes of a horizontal type that can help. This applies, for example, to actions as part of the new European strategy for market access and improving the process for liberalising services