WRITTEN QUESTION E-0332/00 by Jan Mulder (ELDR) to the Commission. Financing arrangements for combating veterinary disease in the EU.
C 330 E/130 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 21. 11. 2000 Does the Commission agree that holding open the option of allowing gas-boring operations to be 5. conducted within the De Biesbosch National Park area conflicts with the regionís status as a protected area? 6. What action will the Commission take to ensure that the De Biesbosch area ceases to be included in the Andel-2í concessionary area, so that it can continue to be protected against boring operations and their adverse impact? Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (6 March 2000) The only information the Commission has about the facts that are raised by the Honourable Member is from articles in Dutch newspapers. Therefore it is not able to go more deeply into this case. The Commission would furthermore refer the Honourable Member to its reply to Written Question P-0179/00 by Mr de Roo (1), in which it said that it is taking the necessary steps to ensure that the Netherlands comply with Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (2) and Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora and fauna (3). (1) See page 99. (2) OJ L 103, 25. 4. 1979. (3) OJ L 206, 22. 7. 1992. (2000/C 330 E/144) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0332/00 by Jan Mulder (ELDR) to the Commission (11 February 2000) Subject: Financing arrangements for combating veterinary disease in the EU Under the new financial framework, agricultural expenditure is subject to even more restrictions than hitherto. The EU has, in recent years, experienced widespread outbreaks of veterinary disease (in particular BSE and swine fever) that have placed a heavy burden of expenditure on the EU budget. In the different Member States the costs of combating veterinary sickness are met from the national budget by constituting special funds, the better to be prepared for possible outbreaks, or by developing particular insurance schemes. Can the Commission: 1. 2. Provide a summary outline of the arrangements for financing the response to outbreaks of veterinary disease, the combating of which is required pursuant to European regulations or directives in Member States? Look into options for financing the costs of any future outbreaks of such infectious diseases of farm animals from funds specially set up for that purpose or by developing special insurance schemes? Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (27 March 2000) The cost of veterinary diseases is generally made up of two elements: compensation paid to farmers for the slaughter of their animals, and operating costs for measures to combat these diseases. The method of calculating and rules on meeting these costs are governed by national law. As regards compensation for farmers, the Member States have generally opted for one of the following arrangements: the cost of veterinary diseases is either funded by means of a special budget earmarked for animal health, or a State fund for veterinary diseases steps in to meet the costs incurred. This is financed through compulsory contributions from farmers, which are usually supplemented by a balancing subsidy from the public authorities. The contributions payable by farmers and the compensation to which they are entitled sometimes depend on the size of the farm concerned. 21. 11. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 330 E/131 The Commission is not aware of the existence of any private insurance schemes currently operating on the market and providing farmers with cover against the risks arising from veterinary diseases. However, as the Commission already indicated in the Report on the situation in the pigmeat sector in the European Union with a view to possible changes to structural support measuresí (1), it would welcome the creation of an insurance scheme for emergencies funded by farm producersí contributions. On the other hand, the financial support from the public authorities should be conditional upon the disease being notified without delay, and upon the provisions of Community legislation on the eradication of diseases ü including Council Decision 90/424/EEC of 26 June 1990 on expenditure in the veterinary field (2) ü being implemented effectively. (1) COM(98) 434 final. (2) OJ L 224, 18. 8. 1990. (2000/C 330 E/145) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0334/00 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Council (14 February 2000) Subject: Special treatment of a Kurdish national imprisoned in Hamburg Ilhan Gelkouvan, a Kurdish national imprisoned in Hamburg, has for many days been on a hunger strike with the intention of starving himself to death, maintaining that, although his case has been tried by the courts and final judgment delivered, he is being excluded from the schedule applicable to other prisoners, being given different treatment and being held in solitary confinement. We have now learned that other prisoners in the EU Member States and in third countries have also commenced hunger strikes in sympathy. Is the Council aware of the special treatment being given to Ilhan Gelkouvan by the Hamburg prison 1. authorities? 2. What measures will it take to end this and ensure that the prisoner concerned is treated in accordance with the same criteria applicable to other prisoners, given the fact that he is seeking no more than his due? Reply (2 May 2000) The Council has no information on the treatment mentioned and has no competence to deal with the questions raised by the honourable Member of the European Parliament. (2000/C 330 E/146) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0338/00 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission Subject: Unemployment figures for Greece (14 February 2000) Under the title EUROPE WEEKLY SELECTED STATISTICS No 1128í, Europeí of 20 December 1999 published information from the Eurostat News Release No 120/99 concerning unemployment figures in the European Union Member States, Japan and the USA. However, as we have repeatedly pointed out, these statistics do not include figures for unemployment in Greece. In a previous answer to my Written Question E-1448/97 (1), the Commission indicated that áas from 1998, the National Statistical Service of Greece is planning to implement a continuous labour force survey which will provide quarterly unemployment ratesí