WRITTEN QUESTION P-0514/00 by Marianne Thyssen (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Compensation for cocoa-producing farmers.
26. 1. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 26 E/53 Representatives of the Financial action task force on money laundering and the Organization for economic cooperation and development (OECD) committee of fiscal affairs have been considering how anti-money- laundering systems could be strengthened and how the effectiveness of tax information exchange arrangements could be increased. The OECD has also identified the lack of exchange of information as a key factor in identifying tax havens. Accordingly it recommends that countries that do not have rules concerning reporting of international transactions and foreign operations of resident taxpayers should consider adopting such rules and that countries exchange information obtained under these rules. The OECD intends to publish a list of tax havens later this year and will consider the possibility of co-ordinating countermeasures against jurisdic- tions that are uncooperative in the fight against harmful tax competition. The Community has already adopted directives both to counter money-laundering and to provide mutual assistance in the field of direct and indirect taxation. The latter specifically includes provisions for the exchange of information between tax administrations in order to combat tax evasion and avoidance in the Community. Furthermore the Community has taken the lead in identifying the need for co-ordinated action, and in taking concrete steps to tackle harmful tax competition, including in Member Statesí dependent and associated territories. (2001/C 26 E/067) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0514/00 by Marianne Thyssen (PPE-DE) to the Commission (17 February 2000) Subject: Compensation for cocoa-producing farmers Amendment of the directive on cocoa and chocolate products for human consumption is currently being considered by the European Parliament at second reading. Although the exact outcome of the codecision procedure is not yet known it seems likely that the 1973 chocolate directive will be substantially amended. The main change is that after a certain time vegetable fats other than cocoa butter will be permitted in chocolate. This will affect sales of cocoa from the ACP and other developing countries. In the interests of fairness in North-South relations and our legal obligations under the LomØ agreements and the cocoa agreement, it seems obvious that cocoa-producing farmers should be adequately compen- sated one way or another and possibly helped to switch to other crops. Is there a legal basis that the Commission can use for initiatives in this area? If so, which one? Does the Commission plan to take any initiatives in this area? What are its reasons, if it does not? Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission (27 March 2000) The estimation of the impact of the proposed directive (1) on the use of vegetable fats, other than cocoa, in chocolate manufacture is not feasible before the directive comes into force nor justified in the light of the in December 1999 (2). For example, the provisions of the common position adopted by the Council Council agreed to limit the vegetable fats to those of tropical origin and produced by African, Caribbean and Pacific ACP countries; further, vegetable fats can only be present to the extent of 5 % and only be added to the minimum content of cocoa required for each product; finally, it is not clear to what extent vegetable fats will be more used than at present. All these elements need to be considered when assessing C 26 E/54 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 26. 1. 2001 the impact on ACP countries and other cocoa producers and this can only be done once the directive is implemented. In case an estimation of the impact were necessary in the future, the common position foresees a study after 36 months of application of the directive. As far as the compensatory measures are concerned, the Post LomØ Agreement introduces a special mechanism designed to offer support to countries vulnerable to fluctuations from export earnings, in particular earnings from the agricultural and mining sector. If a country is heavily dependent on the cocoa sector it may, subject to a number of criteria concerning the importance of the export losses and the countryís public finances, benefit from the support system. The ACP country concerned may decide to target this additional support, when allocated, to compensate cocoa farmers or help them to diversify their crops. (1) OJ C 231, 9. 8. 1996. (2) OJ C 10, 13. 1. 2000. (2001/C 26 E/068) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0517/00 by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (28 February 2000) Subject: Environmental health failures in Frankfurt (former US housing) The new occupants of what was formerly US housing face a health risk, as very large amounts of adhesive containing tar, with potential carcinogenic effects, were used in the past in the housing in question (e. g. up to 80 % in the case of parquet flooring), as were toxic PCBs and pesticides (e. g. DDT). Is the Commission aware that the authorities concerned have failed to observe the right to the 1. provision of environmental information? Does the Commission agree that it is a serious failing that the risk assessment does not take proper 2. account of small children (under six years of age) as one of the main groups affected? Does the Commission agree that the authorities have the greatest duty of care, and must act in as 3. transparent a manner as possible, vis-à-vis those concerned? Does the Commission agree that, 4. pollution? in future, greater importance needs to be attached to indoor Does the Commission agree that, pursuant to Article 17 of the environmental information directive, 5. it should not be possible for public authorities to withhold, by claiming a derogation, information the disclosure of which could avert a significant threat to health? Does the Commission agree that the latest scientific findings should be taken into consideration in 6. risk assessments? Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (14 April 2000) The Commission shares the Honourable Memberís concern that there must be transparency for European citizens, especially with regard to environmental and health problems. Article 3 of Council Directive 90/313/EEC of 7 June 1990 on the freedom of access to information on the environment (1) stipulates that public authorities are required to make available information relating to the environment to any natural or legal person at his request and without his having to prove an interest. Any