WRITTEN QUESTION E-1109/00 by Eija-Riitta Korhola (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Level and basis for calculation of horse-breeding subsidy in the different Member States.
20. 2. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 53 E/75 (2001/C 53 E/090) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1107/00 by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission (11 April 2000) Subject: Equal opportunities in the applicant countries How does the Commission intend to ensure that EU Directives on equal opportunities for women are implemented and enforced in full by all the applicant countries? Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission (18 May 2000) Enlargement of the Union is based on the fulfilment by the candidate countries of the Copenhagen criteria in the political, economic and áacquisí related fields. As regards the latter criteria, the candidate countries are obliged to harmonise their national legislation fully with the áacquis communautaireí upon their accession to the Union. This applies of course also to the Community directives on equal opportunities for women. In this context, the Commission not only monitors closely the alignment of national legislation with the áacquisí, but attaches particular importance to the effective implementation and enforcement of the Community áacquisí in the candidate countries. The Commission evaluates the progress made on a yearly basis in the regular reports. It will continue to monitor the issue closely and will report on this in the next regular report. (2001/C 53 E/091) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1109/00 by Eija-Riitta Korhola (PPE-DE) to the Commission (11 April 2000) Subject: Level and basis for calculation of horse-breeding subsidy in the different Member States In the countries bordering on the Baltic Sea, large numbers of thoroughbred horses have been bred for a very long time. In Finland thoroughbred horse-breeding goes back 400 years, and the Finnish Thor- oughbred Association has officially been in existence for over 75 years. The breed used in all these countries is the same, the East Prussian or Trakehner horse. Alongside the Trakehners, other local breeds such as the Finnish or North Swedish horse, are often represented. The subsidy payable per horse is FIM 500 per year, whereas the subsidy for an ordinary cow is twice that amount. However, horses are at least as important as cows in preserving the traditional countryside and in engendering a positive image for rural areas, and the cost of raising horses, which are generally kept singly, tends to be higher ü owing to the marginal utility effect ü than that for cows, several of which are usually kept on the same farm. I therefore have the following questions for the Commissioner: ü Is it true that the EU pays or intends to pay subsidies in respect of thoroughbred horses on a different basis in some countries around the Baltic Sea than in others, even though these countries are united by the same conditions, breeds and history? ü Does the Commission consider ü e. g. from the point of view of managing the traditional countryside ü that there is any justification for depriving thoroughbred horse-breeding of subsidies in some Member States? ü What are the criteria for decisions on the payment of such subsidies and on what basis are decisions to grant them taken? C 53 E/76 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 20. 2. 2001 ü Has the Commission any plans to revise the level of subsidies granted, e. g. by reference to the subsidies paid for cows? ü If no decisions have yet been taken, what is the timescale for taking such decisions? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (22 May 2000) Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (1) includes under the agri-environment heading Community support in promotion of genetic diversity. It is up to Member States to decide in line with their individual situations and priorities whether or not to make use of this category of measure. On the subsidy rate payable, Member States shall determine the need to provide an incentive on the basis of objective criteriaí (Article 18 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1750/1999 of 23 July 1999 (2) on application of Regulation No 1257/1999). This applies to all the agri-environment measures. The Finnish authorities have proposed a subsidy programme for various local breeds (horses, cattle, sheep etc. ) specifying numbers of animals and rates. The Commissionís decision on this will be taken as soon as possible through the procedure indicated in Article 50(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds (3). (1) OJ L 160, 26. 6. 1999. (2) OJ L 214, 13. 8. 1999. (3) OJ L 161, 26. 6. 1999. (2001/C 53 E/092) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1113/00 by Lord Inglewood (PPE-DE) to the Commission (11 April 2000) Subject: Extension of the 1994 UK VAT Act Would the European Commission have any objection to Section 33 of the 1994 UK VAT Act being extended to nationally-funded museums and galleries whose trustees are appointed by the UK Govern- ment? Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission (19 May 2000) Section 33 of the 1994 British VAT Act introduced a refund scheme, whereby input VAT, for which the recovery is not possible under the normal VAT procedure, is refunded to certain local authorities and government departments. This refund scheme is a financial operation between different public bodies which does not conflict with the European common VAT system and could be considered as a sort of subsidy granted to certain local authorities and government departments. The question of which of these bodies can be included in Section 33 of the 1994 British Act is a purely national matter to be determined by the British authorities