WRITTEN QUESTION No. 240/99 by Ulf HOLM The UK's rebate from the EU
12. 11. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 325/95 The Italian government has never mentioned to the Commission the possibility of a new ‘eurotax’. The Commission has never indicated an increase of fiscal pressure as a desirable strategy to reduce the budget deficit. On the contrary, the Commission considers that a sound budgetary policy should be based on the control of current expenditure. The economic consequences of non-compliance with the requirements of the Stability and growth pact are clearly indicated in the European Council Resolution on the Stability and growth pact (1) of 17 June 1997 and in Council Regulations (EC) 1466/97 of 7 July 1997 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic policies and (EC) 1467/97 of 7 July 1997 on speeding and clarifying the implementation of the excessive deficit (2). (1) OJ C 236, 2. 8. 1997. (2) OJ L 209, 2. 8. 1997. (1999/C 325/126) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0234/99 by Antonio Tajani (PPE) to the Commission (12 February 1999) Subject: Protection of the Macchia Tonda wildlife sanctuary (Rome) Is the Commission aware that the Macchia Tonda natural wildlife sanctuary in the Province of Rome might be destroyed as a result of the Italian Government’s plans to put an end to the army’s use of land in the San Severa area, which currently ensures the sanctuary’s survival. What action does it intend to take to protect the environment in one of the areas of the Latium coastline where pollution levels are still extremely low? Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (15 March 1999) The site of Macchiatonda has been designated by the Italian authorities as a special protection area for the protection of birds according to Article 4 of Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (1). The area has also been proposed as a site of Community importance for the protection of wild fauna and flora according to Article 4 of Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (2). The site is therefore fully covered by Community nature conservation legislation. Finally, the site is also protected by the regional law no 54 of 23 July 1983 as a regional reserve. (1) OJ L 103, 25. 4. 1979. (2) OJ L 206, 22. 7. 1992. (1999/C 325/127) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0240/99 by Ulf Holm (V) to the Commission (12 February 1999) Subject: The UK’s rebate from the EU Why does the UK receive a rebate on its contributions to the EU? Will the Commission say how much rebate the UK has received altogether since it was first introduced? How big is the rebate expressed as a percentage of the annual contribution?