WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2873/98 by Fernand LE RACHINEL to the Commission. Substantial difference between the postage rates of the Member States of the European Union
21. 5. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 142/51 Joint answer to Written Questions E-2868/98 and E-2869/98 given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (10 November 1998) Under Article 6(3) of Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (the Habitats Directive) ‘any plan or project not directly connected with or necessary to the management of the site but likely to have a significant effect thereon, either individually or in combination with other plans or projects, shall be subject to appropriate assessment of its implications for the site in view of the site’s conservation objectives’. Only the Court of justice can provide a definitive interpretation as to whether actions of the kind mentioned by the Honourable Member fall to be assessed under this provision. However, it is evident from the wording of the provision that, before an assessment becomes necessary, there must at least be a likelihood of significant effects arising from the action. An action such as signposting or increasing the permitted tonnage of user vehicles which may have the effect of increasing the intensity of use of an existing road would not, in the Commission’s view, automatically require an assessment. Much would depend on the specific circumstances of the protected area concerned. (1999/C 142/062) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2873/98 by Fernand Le Rachinel (NI) to the Commission (28 September 1998) Subject: Substantial difference between the postage rates of the Member States of the European Union The cost of subscribing to a newspaper or magazine can double according to whether the subscription is taken out in the country of publication and circulation or abroad; this difference, which is in no way justified by the distance, is said to be due to prohibitive postage rates. Can the European Commission confirm this information, and, if so, how does it intend to correct these distortions of competition, which have an adverse effect on freedom of information and freedom to circulate ‘intellectual products’ such as newspapers and other publications? Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (30 October 1998) Postage charges do account for a considerable proportion of the cost of subscribing to a newspaper or magazine, particularly when a daily newspaper is to be delivered. The difference between national and intra-Community postal rates is due mainly to two factors. Firstly, high costs are involved in routing and delivering press material as priority mail outside national borders in such a way as to guarantee the requisite quality of service for such items, notably compliance with deadlines. Secondly, some Member States grant preferential rates for the distribution of press material within the country. These special rates may therefore be reflected in the price of subscriptions taken out for that country. Community rules are not contrary to the principle of preferential rates being granted in certain Member States for press consignments, provided that principle is not discriminatory